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How To Ask For Referrals

Written by: Jenny Cartwright

Article Overview: Using referrals is the quickest way to grow your business. It gives you credibility, a way to open the door to new customers so you never have to make a true cold call again. The question is do you know how to get referrals? Here are some ideas in this article.

How To Ask For Referrals

HOW TO ASK FOR REFERRALS

A telephone call to a happy customer is the ideal way to find referrals and new prospects. This call should be a natural part of the sales process but, sadly, not a lot of salespeople bother once they have made a sale.

So what stops you from asking for a referral?

Perhaps you feel embarrassed having to ask or perhaps you feel you might be putting your customer in a difficult spot, because he may not know anyone to recommend to you. Well, like there is a process in every step of the telesales call, there is also a process for asking for the referral. It is easy when you know how. Then you will have more confidence to do it.
The obvious people to give you referrals are your customers who have recently bought from you. When you call them one or two weeks after they have bought from you, to check they are happy with their purchase, they will not only be impressed that you bothered to call, but they will be only too pleased to assist you.

Mistakes people make:-

The average salesperson would ask, "Do you know anyone else who might want to buy what you have just bought?”
When someone is asked that direct question, their mind goes blank and they cannot think of a single person. You must aim to be more specific. Following are a few ideas:-

The script for asking for referrals
You must establish that the customer is happy with his purchase or with your service and then ask one of the following:-

1. Who else do you know that might want to save the same amount of money you have saved by buying this product? (use the benefit here of what your product does for the customer)


2. If you were to substitute yourself as the purchaser of this product/service who would that person be?

3. Mr ____ may I ask you a favor? Could you think of four or five people who sell to you that would be good prospects for my product/service?

4. I am glad you are happy with the _____Mr _____by the way may I ask if you play any sports at all? If no, then ask, what other activities do you do outside of work? Can you think of one person in your (sports) team or in your (activity) group who might be interested in purchasing what you have just purchased?

5. Who else could you help by telling them about our products or services?
As an incentive for the customer to give you referrals you could say the reason you want their contacts is so that you can send out an introductory package about your product or service with a voucher valued at $50 for their first purchase. You could offer to send this voucher with your customer's compliments, e.g. Mr.____ was so happy with our services, he asked us to send you an introductory voucher with his compliments should you wish to avail yourself of the same product.
Next, you would ask them for their contacts' phone numbers and ask them if they would like to ring those people to recommend your services or whether it would be okay for you to ring them and mention their name. Obviously, the first option would be the one to go for but you would have to assess how the conversation is going, to know whether you could push for that.
End by thanking them and assuring them you will let them know if any business arises from their referral.


Important to remember:

1. Always get back to the customer who gave you a referral to let them know how you went with their contact. You can do this by phone or send them a note like this:

Dear _____
Thank you for suggesting to John Smith that he call me regarding his computer training needs (explain the status of referral).
I met with John on Tuesday and we will start training next week.
John mentioned how enthusiastic you were about my training. I really appreciate your confidence in my abilities.

Thank you again for thinking of me.

2. If you expect people to give you referrals, this will not happen unless you give referrals to your own customers - remember the law of reciprocity?

More Referral Tips

Try to give one referral a day to one of your customers.

When you start giving out two referrals for every sale you get, you will be in the top twenty per cent of salespeople.

When you give out three referrals for every sale you get, you will be in the top ten per cent of salespeople.

Work with every buyer as though that person represents 1,000 referrals.

Jenny Cartwright –Telemarketing Award Winner and Telesales Trainer/Speaker/Author
Sales and Telesales Solutions

Tel. 612 9427 3479
Fax. 612 9418 9069


E-Book – “How to Make A Fortune Selling on the Phone"- a proven step by step formula to increase sales, appointments and leads by 30% – 100% - guaranteed!

Related Articles
  Getting Referrals
  Did You Get Any Referrals Today?
  Stress-Free Selling® - Go After the Easy Sales First
  Karma Keys to a Referral-Based Business
  Are Business Networking Referrals Critical Business Strategies Within Your Strategic Plan?

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Related Forum Posts
Re: How do you get your clients? - I think staying away from gathering clients strictly online when first starting out is probably a good idea. Your first few clients could maybe be people you know, or know through somebody that may require some of your services. Another good way of gaining new clientel is offering your first few clients completely free service in exchange for placing your business card or promotional material in their business if you're doing b2b sales. Referrals are the lifeblood of many small businesses.
Re: How do you get your clients? - [quote="brata":2qa58hl5]I think staying away from gathering clients strictly online when first starting out is probably a good idea. Your first few clients could maybe be people you know, or know through somebody that may require some of your services. Another good way of gaining new clientel is offering your first few clients completely free service in exchange for placing your business card or promotional material in their business if you're doing b2b sales. Referrals are the lifeblood of many small businesses.[/quote:2qa58hl5] Ive been in business for a few years and my best way to get clients is door to door so far. However as my marketing budget grows I have stopped door to door business to business sales and shifted to mailers, billboards, radio, and just a tiny bit online.


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