You Are Standing in the Middle of a Referral

                                       Look around. What do you see?

Most people don’t realize that they are always standing in the middle of a referral. Look around you. Do you see carpeting that needs to be cleaned? A frustrated mother who needs a bigger house? A company that needs a new accountant, a window that needs to be replaced, or new friend who needs a banker?

The key to giving good referrals is to be aware of your surroundings. Listen for a need or a problem that someone may have. You become a resource for them. You can refer someone that you know, like and trust to help resolve the problem or situation.

Here is a good example of how easy it is to give referrals.

While walking the dog, my husband Todd stopped to visit with the neighbor and asked what lawn service he was using. Doug went on to say that he hired a company because he was having a lot of neck and back pain. He said that the doctor said it was arthritis and to “get used to the pain”.

Immediately, Todd pulled out his phone and gave Doug Dr. Jolley’s phone number. Luke Jolley is in one of our clubs in Tulsa and he is our personal Chiropractor. After hearing how much we love going Dr. Jolley, Doug promised to call him.

Knowing Todd, he will follow up with Doug in a few days to see if he made that appointment.

Here are some suggestions on how to give good referrals:

§  Always have the business cards of the members of your group readily available.

§  Program your phone with the telephone numbers of all your members.

§  Keep your club members cards and brochures visible at your place of business.

§  Be the “resource person” for all your friends, family, connections and business associates.

§  Invite your customers to call you for a recommendation before they go to the Yellow Pages.

§  Try to personally use your club member’s services and products as often as you can.

§  Don’t hesitate to tell success stories about another member’s business.

§  Invite a visitor to attend your referral group to personally meet a member.

§  Arrange to have lunch with a potential client and a club member.

§  Ask them, “Would it be okay if I had his office call you to explain what they do?”

§  Get the customer’s business card and get permission for the member to call. Say, “I’ll have him call you, would that be okay?”

§  Invite your customer to go through your business cards while they wait.

§  Send a thank you card to your customer and include names and numbers of some other businesses that may help them with the next step or with a future need.

§  Connect online with your clients and recommend connections to members in your referral group.