Get Referrals from Your Best Clients

Referrals can be extremely powerful in growing your business because a referred client already likes you because they have been properly introduced by another client of yours.
 
Before you focus on getting referrals from your best clients, you need to make sure your company is indeed referable.
 
Make sure that your company:

• Shows up on time and has orders ready on time.
• Does what you say you’re going to do. If you make a commitment or promise, keep it.
• Finish what you start. Don’t have a bunch of open loops.
• Say PLEASE, THANK YOU, and I’M SORRY (when you make a mistake)

 
You need to prove your team deserves respect and your team can be trusted.
 
Ask yourself if you would refer your own company. Why? Why not?
 
Here is a five-step process for getting referrals:
  

1. Ask a client with a sphere of influence over others for the referral.
2. Ask at the right time – ideally right after a purchase and when the client is happy. 
3. Educate the client about your referral reward program. Make sure you give a reward with standalone value, and is not conditional on the client doing something.
4. Promptly follow up with the referred client and thank them for giving your team a shot.
5. Thank the referring client and give them their reward.

 
Remember: rewarded behavior is often repeated.
 
There are a lot of tools to automate this simple five-step process but you might find asking for the referral is best done in person.
 
Once you start creating a referral culture in your business, and reward clients for referring their friends, families, and colleagues... you’ll see a sharp increase in your business.
 
Have a great week!
Dave