Introduction

Referrals are the best business model; you can use your current customers to get more of them. If you do it right, referrals will be a never-ending stream of new customers for your company.

Whether you’re selling services or products, this strategy can be a game-changer for your business. The secret is having systems in place so that when someone asks, “How did you hear about us?” you can answer honestly with a smile: “Oh…I heard about them from my friend (client).”

To start getting more referrals out of your existing customer base, follow these tips:

Just ask for introductions, not new businesses.

Ask them if you can have their email address when talking to someone. That way, when the time comes that you need an introduction to something, that person will be more likely to help.

Don’t worry about asking for business or looking like a pest by asking for referrals in every conversation. Just try to get introductions as often as possible, and things will start rolling on their own.

Don’t expect others to know what your business does without explaining it first (which is hard). If they don’t know who you are or the type of services/products you provide, how do they know if they can help?

The best way is through mutual connections and relationships with professionals who already have some familiarity with both parties involved (e.g., LinkedIn).

Give before you get

One of the best ways to get referrals is by giving before you call. The concept is simple: give before someone asks, and they’ll be more likely to return the favor.

This can be as simple as providing high-quality work or going above and beyond on a project, but it’s beneficial if you’ve done something that helps them specifically.

For example, let’s say that your friend Anna loves taking photos of her cat with her new camera—but she’s not very good at editing them yet.

You could offer some tips on how to make her pictures look better through editing software, which would help both of you (and maybe even lead to an unexpected friendship).

Or perhaps another friend needs help redesigning their website for their business—so instead of just saying, “let me know if there’s anything I can do,” offer a solid solution in addition to offering advice along the way.

Make it super easy

It’s easy to miss opportunities when they’re right in front of you. So it’s crucial to make it as easy as possible for people to refer their friends and family to your company.

Ensure the referral form or link is visible on your website or landing page. Don’t hide it in a menu option, opt-in form, pop-up window, or somewhere else that requires extra effort from visitors on the path toward conversion.

If someone wants to refer their friends and family members—and they probably do if they’re reading this guide—then make that process fast and straightforward.

Know your customer profile

As a business owner, you are more than likely to have a good idea of the profile of your ideal customer.

After all, it would be hard to run a successful business if you didn’t know who exactly was buying from you. But what about the other end of the spectrum: those who don’t believe?

Knowing your current customers is crucial because they already trust and like your brand. They know what makes them happy and frustrates them— this can give you valuable insight into how to sell more products or services.

But knowing who isn’t yet buying from you is just as important because they may be some of your best prospects for growth in future sales.

Conclusion

We hope these tips have helped you get started with your referral program. If you’re looking for more resources, we’ve already covered many of them in this post. Remember: the key to success is consistency and patience.