Referral marketing might be the best option to grow your small business. Definitely, social media engagements and PPCs can pay off by reaching your attendees and clients. The key here is to attract your clients and please them. Only satisfied customers refer others to your products and business.
Growing your business using referral marketing is not that simple. Though it seems as simple as pie to seek referrals with words of mouth simply by doing great job, it is not always the case.
To get more referrals, you need to make a plan. Here are some of the helpful ways to fetch more referrals.
Satisfy Customers
Your referral marketing is nothing without satisfied customers. Find ways to attract and delight your customers to make a good referral strategy.
You may offer custom discounts, cashbacks, freebies, and even more. Once you get them on board, make a way for them to spread reference to your business.
Ask for Reviews and Feedback
First of all, you should ask for reviews and testimonials of professionalism from your customers and give exit surveys out. Obviously praise and positive response from customers will paint your business in positive light.
On the flip side, you want your happy clients and customers to talk about you and share positive reviews on their social media accounts.
You will want to set up a page to review on your site or direct them to a specific review site where they can share their experience with you.
Ask for Referrals
Making referrals for your customers is no big deal. They will want to return the goodwill. You may definitely ask your happy clients to share good words on your services.
You need to ask them for some business cards so they can notice that you want to help their business by referring out to other clients.
There are also different types of referrals. First is one when you ask your client to give name, phone number or email address of someone who might want to partner with you. It is not that valued much.
On the other medium level, customer shares about your business to their friends and attest that he or she might want to learn more.
Finally, the last, most valued, and highest level referral is when a customer introduces you to the potential referral and fixes an appointment with you. According to your industry, you might prefer one or all of these types of referrals.
Consider the First-Timers
As much as a long-term customer may prefer you, they are not going to talk as the new one who just walked out. Consider it in this way.
You may visit a local spot for a few times a week for lunch but you talk a lot more on the new place you have tried previously for dinner last week.
You should treat your new customers as VIPs, rejoice their arrival and let them to try everything on the menu, give a tour to them, and be sure they end up telling their friends about the great experience they had just recently.
You just have one chance to meet and greet a new customer. Be sure to provide amazing experience.
Be Sure to Thank Them
Saying thank you to your customers is not just the way to greet, but it is also a great way to seek more referrals. How would you know the customers who deserve this?
Simply ask how they heard of you. Be sure to ask the contact information of the referrer and send them something nice.
Your Turn
Some businesses even send small perks like Starbucks gift cards or a friendly thank you note. Don’t buy referrals. Simply focus to thank your current customers to encourage even more referrals.
