Referrals from clients are a great strategy to drive growth. Hearing good things regarding a product or service has a remarkable effect on their decision. If you want them to hear good things about your work, you will have to increase your referral game. Here are ten ways to get more referrals.
Ask At The Appropriate Time
The majority of us ask for referrals towards the end of a job when we send the invoice. It appears to be the most realistic time to ask about passing on your details. This might be the typical way, but it’s not the most effective way to get referrals.
As an alternative, experiment asking for referrals at different times. Search for chances where a client is thrilled with the work you have completed. Possibly after you hand in the first phase of a multi-stage project, or after a task is done and they inquire about a second. Determining how to get referrals at the right time and when to ask can require trial and error, but it’s worth it!
For a clearer understanding of this, check out this referral email template, so you get the best answer when you ask.
Exceed Expectations
Word of mouth is a sure and reliable way to get referrals in motion for your business. Although, it is mainly based on loyalty, which you genuinely have to deserve.
Go the extra mile for your clients not just by reaching milestones with them but also through sharing their content on social media, referring to them in your blog content, and demonstrating that you are an essential asset to them. At that point, they will know why they need to tell their network about the fantastic work you do.
Incorporate Referrals In Your Opening Conversation
Bringing up the topic early in the game can alleviate any worries you have about getting referrals from clients and making customers more likely to follow through.
Any time you begin working with a new client, ask them to agree to a straightforward deal. If you do an excellent job for them, they will tell people about you. This is effective because it is balanced. It’s a low-pressure favor that allows clients the option to refer you depending on the results you provide. In addition, it also places the assumption that if results are good, they must direct compatible people your way.
Provide A Rewards Program
With referrals, you attempt to get your clients to connect you with potential customers for your business. While some people like connecting others in their network, the majority will merely not remember to send referrals as they become too occupied with their work.
Although, if your client gets something out of the arrangement they will make more of an effort. Once referrals are bound to a reward, you can change your clients into referral machines. Referral rewards frequently include clients discounts, free swag, vouchers, or items to collect in return for referrals.
Tip: Pick a reward that makes sense with your principles and allows your clients to have something valuable that they will enjoy working towards.
You want your referral program to be worth your client’s time and provide value to you as a brand. Referral program ideas can vary from rewarding clients with store credit, a mystery prize, exclusive access to a product, and much more. Referral reward ideas don’t all have to be expensive, but they must be worth people’s time.
Tip: An excellent way to brainstorm referral program ideas is by checking out what other brands are doing. What will keep customers loyal and provide referrals? Seeing successful referral program ideas can help you know what works and decide how you want to set yourself apart.
As a brand, you don’t have to be the only one doing the heavy lifting. Ambassadors are there to be an extension of your marketing team, and they can discuss referrals just as they would a product or service. Having your ambassador marketing your referral program is a great way for them to share their story about why they provide referrals and how it’s essential.
With a robust ambassador referral marketing program in place, you can count on your brand ambassadors to continue to bring in more business and get clients eager to refer people to your brand.
Cash In Those Compliments
One of the ideal times to ask for a referral is right after a client finishes praising you about how much they enjoy your work. If you act on this opportunity when it is in your favor, you greatly increase the likelihood of them recommending you.
Tip: If a client is pleased with your work, thank them and say something along the lines of, “It is excellent to hear that you’re happy with your experience. Do you know of others who might benefit from our services?”
Team Up With Other Service Providers
Speak to other businesses that provide complementary services about joining forces for how to get referrals and start a referral partnership. For instance, an accounting practice can team up with a bookkeeper to cross-promote their respective services.
Tip: To give a partnership the best possibility of success, provide referral clients with a discounted package.
Set And Strive For Referral Goals
As with anything, practice makes perfect. Now that you have a better picture of a few places you can start, it’s time to put it into practice. The more you consistently ask clients to give referrals, the more referrals you will receive.
Tip: Decide on a sensible amount of referrals you can get in a week or month- it could be 5, 10, or more- and challenge yourself to achieve that goal. Soon, your clients will be doing a tremendous amount of your lead generation for you!
Change The Discussion
When we ask for a referral, we should always present it as a good deed that clients can do for us. For many clients, if this message comes at the perfect time and they know someone who is a good match, it can lead to a successful referral sale.
But what if you flipped the discussion around and jogged a client’s memory of how valuable giving referrals can be for them? If a client has other business clients who ask for guidance and can point them to someone who can fix all of their problems, a referral makes them look good.
Be Particular About Your Requirements
Not all referrals are balanced. In actuality, they are only valuable if they are high-quality referrals. It is no use if your clients recommend your company to any and everyone. The people they recommend need to have common interests and be genuinely a good fit for your business and what it has to provide.
Tip: When asking for a recommendation, be particular about the type of referral you are looking for. If you are seeking wealthy people, then say that. If you are looking for businesses in a particular line of work, disclose that. Let your clients know who your target audience is and explain the kind of client who usually needs your products or services.
You will make it a lot easier for them to determine who in their network deserves to be recommended. Also, you will not waste precious time striving to get referrals that are not the right match and won’t give the results you desire.
