Sales: Referrals - How to Get Them

Referrals - How to Get Them

Written by Alan Fairweather

Referrals are an extension of Networking. If people like you and like repparttar

sound of your product or service, then there's a good chance they'll tell other people about you.

If they already use your product or service and are totally satisfied, then there's also a good chance that they'll recommend you to others.

However, that won't always happen - people won't necessarily go around singing your praises to other people, unless someone asks them about you.

You can, however, take various actions to improve your chances of getting referrals:

*Ask people - Ask your existing customers if there's anyone else they know who could use your product or service.

*Ask if it's okay to contact them - and if it's okay to use their name

*Ask them - if they'd be kind enough to refer you to repparttar 138276 other person

*Ask if it's okay to check back - and find out what repparttar 138277 other person said. (This encourages repparttar 138278 person you're speaking to - to refer you)

*Offer incentives - Offer free product, a discount or a prize to an existing customer who refers you to a new customer. e.g. If I bring a new member to my health club, my name is entered into a draw for a new car

*Offer a "finders fee" - to anyone who finds you new business or donate money to their charities

*Have a referral form - This needs to be a simple document that you hand out to customers or give away at events or even post to people. It needs to say something like - "Who do you know who could use our product or service?" Then leave some blanks on repparttar 138279 form for repparttar 138280 details. Mention what repparttar 138281 incentive or reward is for them to do this.

Networking - How to do it

Written by Alan Fairweather

Networking is probably repparttar

oldest, easiest, most effective and least expensive way to get more business. It doesn't necessarily involve selling your product or service but it does mean selling yourself. However, that doesn't involve a lot of talking - it does involve a lot of listening.

Networking is about making connections with people and building a network of meaningful relationships.

Having good relationships means - these people will either do business with you and/or recommend you to others. These people are your unpaid sales-force and you've got to ensure that they do a good job.

Here are 9 steps to successful networking:

#1 Be prepared - Particularly if you're attending a formal networking event like repparttar 138275 Chamber of Commerce -

#2 Think about whom you'll be meeting - Consider what your opening remarks or questions will be. And think about what you're going to say when they question you.

#3 Make sure you have lots of business cards, a small notebook and a pen - These should be easily accessible and not involve a rummage through pockets or a bag to find them.

Reminder - NEVER go anywhere without business cards

#4 You don't necessarily need brochures - These can be sent when you follow up later. A networking event is not a place to sell you product or service. (This is not understood by repparttar 138276 people who have bored repparttar 138277 pants off me over repparttar 138278 years)

#5 Think about what you're going to wear - I've seen people rush into a networking event in clothes that look like they've been slept in. If it means having a change of clothes in repparttar 138279 office or going home to freshen up - then do it. Remember, repparttar 138280 image you present to other people is repparttar 138281 image they'll have of your business. Men should wear a bright tie (not cheap) and women should wear something bright. Remember, however - business dress, not sexy.

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