If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you know that the best lead is from a personal referral.  The close rate is much higher, they usually close faster, and the average “spend” is higher.  In all ways, referrals are like gold to a business.  They are also “free”.  No advertising or marketing dollars spent.

Almost every business owner I have ever spoken to, identifies customer referrals as an area of focus that they want to improve.  Is that you also?

Over the next few weeks, we are going to share one tip at a time that many of our clients actually use, to get more referrals.  These are proven tactics not just creative ideas.  

We are going to focus only on one tip per week because dropping an entire list on you is almost a guarantee that it will be overwhelming … and NONE of it would get done.  Knowing that you have only 1 week until the next tip, use it as a “deadline” to make sure you take action quickly, so you are ready for the next step.

The Anatomy of Basic Referral Program

Approximately 3 out of every 4 of our clients are currently using this BASIC REFERRAL PROGRAM.  It’s a good start, but it really is the minimum you could possibly do (besides doing nothing).

Here is how it works:

1. We drop a button on the top of the website that is usually titled “Refer a Friend” (or something similar).
2. The button links to a web page which has a web form.  You ask the client to fill-out the form with the friend’s info.  You may offer a referral fee (value depends on the industry but anywhere from $25 to $500 is normal).
3. You wait and wait and wait and HOPE that someone will fill out the form.
4. Once or twice each year, you send out an EMAIL to your entire list encouraging them that they can earn a little extra cash by giving you referrals. 

Typical result:  Less than 5 referrals annually.  This isn’t working well for anybody!

Now, if you are not even doing all of that, then consider this TIP #1.  Get this done ASAP because this will be part of a much larger program.

If you are already doing this, then you are off to a good start … but it is only a start.  In the next few weeks, I am going to show you other, more effective ways to get more referrals by building an entire referral program.

Let’s make 2021 the year that you FINALLY get all the referrals you have been missing for years!