Using Trust To Build Your Business: Use Referrals To Your Advantage
Have you ever tried a product or service based on the recommendation of someone you trust? Whether it’s a friend, colleague or member of your family their opinion carries more weight than that of a stranger or a random ad.
The reason is because you trust that person to have your best interests at heart. So you are more likely to accept their recommendation without question. You can use this same strategy to build your business through referrals.
It is human nature to take recommendations from those we know well. Have you been to see a film or bought a product on a personal recommendation? This is no different.
Don’t underestimate the power of referrals. Ask your current customers if they have friends, family, or people they know that they think would love your service.
Then you have two options. You can ask those customers to recommend you directly or you can ask them to supply the contact details and contact those people yourself. If you choose the second option you want to explain that you are contacting them on the recommendation of their friend.
While the first more personal option can work, you are relying on them to actually remember to do it. The second option gives you more control over the process.
Referrals are a great way to reach potential new customers. These warm introductions where you’re not cold-calling or emailing, but being introduced by trusted friends or family members are often successful.
For example, if you have an e-commerce business selling physical products, send your present customers an email asking if they know anyone that would love your products as much as they do.
Ask them to supply the email addresses of those people and explain how it could benefit both them and their friend. Explain you will offer their friend a free sample and also give the present customer a discount off their next purchase online as a thank-you.
When you email the new lead with your special offer, mention that their friend thought they’d like your products, which is why you’re emailing and would love to offer them this free sample as a gift.
The relationship and trust that your customers have with their friends and family will enable you to build your business through referrals.
This couldn’t be much simpler just ask your customers if they know people they think would love your product/service, and if they’d be willing to pass their contact info on to you. Contact those people on their behalf and make them a special offer.
When you implement referral marketing in to your business, you will be surprised how rapidly and simply you can grow your customer database and make more profit.
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