The no excuse way to jump start your business and get more sales. What is generally the most common answer to how do you get more business?
If a business owner is asked where most of his or her new business comes from the most likely answer is from referrals. When asked what they are doing to increase that source of business, they are usually silent or answer, “Nothing.”
Why is it that most business owners do little or nothing to consciously strengthen this tried and true means of increasing revenue? It can’t be because of the cost, because building a business by referral is actually about the least costly method available.
It really doesn’t require hiring any new staff or paying for any expensive media campaigns.
It can usually begin by just training yourself and any staff members who interact with your customers in the proper things to say and do. Referral marketing, because it truly is marketing, can lead to shorter sales cycles and lead to increase in business faster than almost any other method.
It is much easier to begin doing business with someone who has been referred to you by a satisfied customer than it is to convince someone who is unfamiliar with your company in a cold call setting. And yet when we think, “I’ve got to do something to get more business,” we almost never think about referrals but think about mailing something out or making some phone calls.
Growing a small business is tough work. The sales function is a time consuming task with a constant need to fill your “sales funnel” with fresh, qualified prospects on a regular basis. Finding the best qualified leads from your business does not come from a cold contact situation but from building a strong referral business. Discover the the benefits and 7 tactics to drive the referral marketing for your small business.
Referral Marketing Benefits
The business of referrals makes sense for most companies for the following reasons:
- Referral marketing reduces your sales expenses and sales cycle. With less time calling cold prospects, your small business can focus on customers and their circle of influence.
- Referrals can build your level of satisfied customers. The cycle self-perpetuates with more satisfied customers referring others to your company.
- Referrals increase your sales revenue. According to world-renowned sales trainer, Tom Hopkins, in “Sales Prospecting for Dummies”; your closing ratio for non-qualified leads is 10 percent versus a 60 percent close ratio with referred leads.
If the prospect of building the referral end of your business is so enticing, why do so few businesses do it? Because they use the wrong approach in building referrals and have limited success. To ensure your business is on track to building referrals, follow these 7 tips:
7 Sure-Fire Ways to Build Your Referral Business
1. Set A Target: In business, measure the results to improve performance. Set a clear goal with a time line. Example, 10% increase in referral business over the next 10 weeks.
2. Timing: Conventional sales wisdom claims the best time to ask for the referral is immediately after the close. This tactic is far too aggressive. Give your clients time to experience your service or product before asking for a referral. Ask for the referral at close only if your client is already delighted with your business.
3. Top 20: Not all customers are referral candidates. Find the top 20% that are ecstatic about your business and ask them for referrals. Make sure their network is the type of client you want.
4. Give and You’ll Receive: Give your clients extra service and follow-up support before asking for referrals. When you give willingly to your customers, they will return the favor.
5. Type of Customer: Inform your referring clients of the type of customers you can help. Provide a clear picture of the customer demographics will help your referral marketing.
6. Rewards Program: Provide special rewards to your referring customers on a regular basis. If a customer provides you with 5 sales, offer them something special, e.g. discounts.
7. Thank-You: Lisa A. Maini, President of My Marketing Manager, recommends businesses need to establish trust to build referrals. Lisa says, “Create a basic thank you letter that can be personalized and sent to each referral you receive. Treat your referral sources with the utmost of care and you will not only build a foundation of trust but keep hot prospects coming to your door.”
These tips are simple but when executed on a regular basis they can drive your referral business and build sales revenue. Start today and watch your referrals grow.
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