local businesses

[storm33229]

best way to build referrals? discuss.

[Martini]

best way to build referrals? discuss.


Google it.

[TimW]

Best way to build referrals for a local business?

It will depend on the business, and a myriad of other things. Give this some thought and I'll bet you can come up with a number of things on how to reach folks in the Phoenix metro-area that people in Wisconsin, London or Quebec couldn't tell you.

[storm33229]

Google it.
I did. ;) In fact I still am. :rolleyes:
Best way to build referrals for a local business?

It will depend on the business, and a myriad of other things. Give this some thought and I'll bet you can come up with a number of things on how to reach folks in the Phoenix metro-area that people in Wisconsin, London or Quebec couldn't tell you.
Well I'm thinking about setting up a website + doing a lot of local marketing in order to jump start the client base and then build referrals off of those people. I suppose I know about all of the costly ways to do this but it becomes slightly more strategic when you're penny pinching your marketing program. :o

[webgal]

Well, it's target market specific so we'd need more details. I am setting up a patient referral program for a surgeon. Past programs have been very successful. Offline and online? Direct mail? email?

[storm33229]

My work calls them HM3's. Homeowner, Married, 30+

[TimW]

Oh...easy day. Hire someone (or do it yourself) to create those "driveway bombers" (a notice of whatever in a sandwich bag weighted with a rock), and drive around affluent and middle-class neighborhoods.

There are also companies that do doorhangers, who can (I believe) target certain areas.

[storm33229]

Oh...easy day. Hire someone (or do it yourself) to create those "driveway bombers" (a notice of whatever in a sandwich bag weighted with a rock), and drive around affluent and middle-class neighborhoods.

There are also companies that do doorhangers, who can (I believe) target certain areas.
Sweet. I'll look into that. Thanks.

[lovinglife]

Window decal or magnetic signs on your car.

Make up a t-shirt (s) with webite and maybe some catchy phrase and wear it everywhere (you can design it on your computer and get the transfer paper at craft stores). Hang out where potential customers will see it and carry business cards with you.

Business cards at places you (or potential customers) frequent

Donate a product to a local fund-raiser for a raffle or auction item.

Join a local business networking breakfast or lunch group.

Post to craiglist if applicable

Join social networking sites (Facebook, etc.)

[EmilWisch]

Suggestions:
1. When you earn business, provide exceptional customer service. Whether you ask for referrals or not, it sticks out in peoples' minds when they were well taken care of. During normal conversations with family, friends, influential people, etc. they trade their stories of great experiences.
2. Depending on the business you are in, try to find ways to partner with other businesses. You don't necessarily need to offer referral money in order to get referrals. If you send referrals to other businesses they are likely to pay you back the same way.

I hope this helped,

Emil

[shanerbock]

Go to salesgenie.com... sign up for a free
trial. This free trial will give you access
to search all the businesses you want, by
zip code, earnings, name, industry, etc...

You are only allowed to download 100 of
the contacts details to Excel. BUT, you
can search over and over and over again,
and just copy each page into excel, or
Word...

And this information you are getting comes
with their phone numbers, names, address,
etc....

Take this information (again you could have
the full list of known businesses in your area)
and start calling them... or even better, go
visit them. Walk into all of these businesses
and talk to them. Dont be a sales person,
just talk to them. Ask what they do, how long
they have been in business, etc, etc.. Find out
what their problems are... see if there is
anything you can do to fix or help with one
of their problems... if you have any ideas,
just share them freely. give your best advice!

Dont ask for business... If they ask what you,
and they will, tell them what you do. Just give
them your best advice, give them your card,
tell them it was great talking to them. By now,
they should have some pretty good trust
in you and your advice... if they dont ask you
for your business before you leave, just pay
a friendly visit again soon.

Chances are, they will be asking you how much
it would cost for you to provide your service to
them.

Tell them that you will give them a good deal
since you think they would be great to work
with... BUT, in order to do that, you really
need to ask them to give you some referrals.

Give them exact details on the referral process.
Have them give you names... or ask them to
call their business friends that might need
your service and recommend you. Dont
wait until the work is done... just ask as
soon as you strike up a deal with them so
they understand this is part of their payment
for your service.

Then, as someone else said... provide
excellent quality... over deliver.

I guarentee this approach will have you
getting referrals.

Best!

Make it a great day!
shane

[EmilWisch]

That's great advice, Shane!

You'll see this talked about in business and sales a lot. It's easier to develop a relationship with a client or strategic partner when you are able to provide some advice or solutions without asking for anything in return.

"What can I do for you?" Not, "What can you do for me?". It's difficult at times to maintain that focus, but it will work. Maybe not for all of the individuals you meet, but you might not want to do business with those who aren't very receptive anyway.

I met a motivational speaker at a chamber of commerce event, Larry Bergnach (http://visionbuilder.biz/index.htm), who shared a story about a relationship he built with an office of cardiologists, in a town known as "the death of all salesman". He catered in some home cooking for them...literally. He made them spaghetti. They loved it, they loved him, they asked for the recipes and a relationship was born. It was a great example.

[webgal]

Play golf.

[shanerbock]

Play golf.

Ha! That took me a second to figure out what you were talking about... but that certainly is true!




Make it a great day!
shane