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Are You A Scairdy Cat When Asking For Referrals?

Written by: Kim Duke

Article Overview: Do Your Customers Love You? I'm sure they do but you probably don't know for sure. Which then makes it pretty tough to ask for referrals. (In fact - it makes you shake in your boots a little bit doesn't it?) But if you're a Scairdy Cat and DON'T ASK for referrals you're missing out on TONS OF BUSINESS lady!!! (and it doesn't cost you a cent!!)

Are You A Scairdy Cat When Asking For Referrals?

I LOVE my customers and my e-zine subscribers!
Why? They help me take my business to brand new levels of success.
The bulk of my business comes from referrals. It definitely motivates me to keep raising the bar for myself!
Do Your Customers Love You?
I'm sure they do but you probably don't know for sure.
Which then makes it pretty tough to ask for referrals.
(In fact - it makes you shake in your boots a little bit doesn't it?)
But if you're a Scairdy Cat and DON'T ASK for referrals you're missing out on TONS OF BUSINESS lady!!! (and it doesn't cost you a cent!!)
So you probably keep doing things the hard way (which by the way gets you a 1-2% response vs a 90%+ response with referrals. (Remember - cold calling is only done by people who don't know any better)

You Need To Think Of Referrals In A New Way!
Look - if I asked you where you got that beautiful haircut - you'd probably tell me.
Or what's your favorite...
• Restaurant
• Networking Association
• Drycleaner
• Auto Repair Shop
• Grocery store
• Shoe repair shop
• Tailor
• Manicurist
• And so on!
You're Asking For Advice And People Love That!
Repeat after me.
My customers want to help me. My customers want to help me.
My customers want to help me.
So why are you so afraid of asking them for their advice?
"Joan - you're such a wonderful customer of mine and I'd really appreciate your advice. I want to expand my business this year with other customers just like you! Could you please introduce me via phone or email to some people that you think I could help?"
You're not being pushy.
You're not being bossy.
You're asking for advice. (and you can word it any way you'd like)
And guess what? They'll help you!
So How Do I Know Where My Referral Business Comes From?
Easy. I track it.
Because as Dr. Wayne Dyer says:
"You can't grow what you can't measure."
So I Track:
• When someone purchases a product from my website - it asks them how they found out about us.
• I have an affiliate system - so I know who sends me business (and they get a commission for it too!) Everything is trackable.
• Actual e-mail introductions from previous customers.
• Subscribers that send my ezine to their friends and co-workers
• I even use ad-trackers in classified ads I purchase
Quit Whining About How Tough Business Is
Enough whining already. I can hear you all the way from Canada!
Business is fabulous.
There are SO MANY potential customers out there who would love to do business with YOU. (Too bad they don't even know you exist)
You can change that! Tap into your current customers TODAY and give up your nasty Scairdy Cat routine. You're so much better than that.
So there.
Love From Your Bossy Sales Diva,
Kim

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  Did You Get Any Referrals Today?
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  Karma Keys to a Referral-Based Business
  Are Business Networking Referrals Critical Business Strategies Within Your Strategic Plan?

Article Tags: affiliate system, auto repair shop, boots, cold calling, dr wayne dyer, drycleaner, email, favorite restaurant, grocery store, haircut, little bit, manicurist, networking association, raising the bar, referral business, referrals, shoe repair shop, subscribers



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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