When one is in sales, the goal is to spend most of your time in front of prospective clients. Unfortunately, most salespeople find themselves spending the majority of their time looking for prospects, not sitting in front of them. Wouldn't it be nice to have referral sources who supplied you with everyday leads and referrals?
There are 3 solid, proven ways to get more referrals.
1. Referral Groups
A referral group sometimes referred to as a business networking club or chapter is precisely what it sounds like. It’s a group of business people that get together on a regular basis in order to form business relationships that produce sales.
Check out Gold Star Referral Clubs, a great business networking organization and start your own group in your city.
There are face to face groups and online groups. An online group might be found on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google +.
2. Clients, Customers, Patients and Connections
A client, customer, and patient referral marketing system is a process of communicating with the intent of generating referrals. You will often hear people speak of CRM, which is Customer Relationship Management.
In this section of your referral marketing plan, you will learn how to position your business or practice in order to attract referrals from your clients, customers, patients and connections.
3. Strategic Alliances
Forming strategic alliances with other business owners, CEOs and decision-makers will open a whole other world of referral opportunities.
It’s a well-chosen business connection, who is outside of any referral group that you belong to. They will many times have a logical service or product that somehow connects people to the product or service that you represent.
