This article is aimed at those business owners who are looking for a better way to get new customers. It contains 6 great tips for boosting business through networking and referral marketing. These referral marketing tips can be implemented almost straight away and they can be used both online and offline. Implementing these tips should mean that you see immediate business improvements and lead to you getting more customers.
Get out there and meet people- Networking is an important part of your referral marketing strategy. You need to get out there and meet people. You need to expand your network. You need to help other business owners grow their business. You need to help professionals further their career. By helping others you create goodwill and from there they are going to want to help you grow your own business or further your own career.
First Impressions Count- If you want people to refer business to you, first you have to make them want to refer business to you. You need to create a great first impression. Don’t get out there and burn relationships by just handing out business cards to anyone and everyone. You also aren’t there to be connecting business cards. If you attend an event, why don’t you just concentrate on developing two or three stronger relationships with potential alliance partners? Find people you can work together with and foster these relationships. If you develop these relationships you will be more successful and people will want to refer business to you.
Leverage and harness the power of the internet- Social media hasn’t necessarily changed everything but it has sped up the process when it comes to networking and referral marketing. Social Networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are a great way to reach out and build your network. It makes it easy for people to contact you and it makes it easy for your associates to give information about you and your business to their associates. There is no easier way to build on connections that you have established offline then through social media platforms.
Make sure you are helping people grow their business- If you want people to refer people to you, then you first need to work out how you can help them grow their business. This could be through referring them business, helping them recruit great staff or other opportunities that present themselves. Offer help first. As Ivan Misner, founder of BNI says, “Giver’s Gain.”
Just follow up- If someone refers a potential client to you it is your responsibility to follow up with him or her. If you don’t follow up with them then you won’t get any more referrals. There is also a chance that they will actually start bad mouthing your business.
Set up a referral program for existing customers- You also need to ask all of your existing customers whether they know anyone else that will benefit from your product or service. Ask them if they can refer these people to you and consider offering an incentive. If you have all your staff consistently asking for referrals, and the offer is right, you will find that you no longer need to spend so much time and effort on cold calling techniques.
If you want to learn more about referral marketing and how you can better implement referral marketing strategies in your business, get in touch with the guys at Greenlight Communications.