If I had to choose one effective Internet marketing tool, a business referral program would be right at
top of list. Whether your business is online or off, a good referral program will increase your profits.Another word for referral is "word of mouth". If you can just get enough people talking about you in a positive manner and sending customers to you, you will have more business than you can handle! A business referral is priceless.
Don't Wait for Your Customers To Send You Referrals
Many online business owners feel they can only get referrals by a customer taking time and initiative to tell a friend or acquaintance about them. The truth is, most customers will forget to mention you or only tell others about you if asked. You will get some referrals by treating customers well, but number may be limited to a few.
Ask For Referrals
Use methods below to initiate referrals from your present customers. The most important thing to remember is that when a potential buyer is referred to you by a happy, satisfied customer, half sale is already made. That's benefit of getting referrals!
Who Do You Ask for a Referral?
A happy, satisfied customer.
What Do You Ask?
When writing to a customer to ask for a referral, first reinforce benefits, value, and contentment that customer has just experienced with your company. Write and thank them for purchasing your product (some companies send a thank you note or e-mail just saying thank you first - this way customer doesn't think you're just trying to get something from them).
A day or two later, send customer a second thank you and mention some of benefits he/she experienced while dealing with your company such as prompt service, great quality, help with a problem, etc. Once you've reminded them of benefits, politely mention that he/she may know someone who would benefit from your company's product or service. Ask customer if he/she can think of anyone who would save time, money, and headaches by purchasing from your company.
Why Should Customer Give You a Referral?
The customer should give you a referral because it could benefit their friend. If he/she has a friend that is going to be purchasing product or service that you offer, he/she has an obligation to tell that friend about your site, especially if it is going to save them time or money, doesn't she?
