Three Ways to Get More Client Referrals

Three Ways to Get More Client Referrals

Every business thrives on a steady stream of referrals to keep business going and growing. Advertising and social media are great, but good old-fashioned personal relationships are essential. Here are three ways you can work with others to gain more referrals: 

Start Asking 

This is the obvious one. Always be asking! When you follow up with a client, ask who else they know who could use the services of a house cleaner. After you leave a client’s home, ask which of their neighbors they can introduce you to for lawn care. Starting out, it might feel awkward to ask for someone to introduce new business opportunities. Make a goal to work on it. Create a goal to get one referral a day. If you're successful for 20 days each month, that's 240 a year. Assuming it takes 10 leads to get a new client, that's 24 new clients a year. Just from simply asking one person a day. 

 Collaborate With A Partner 

It's helpful to bring in a few partners to collaborate with to help each other's business succeed. In your business as a home inspector, you have several people you can refer to and get referrals from. Some business partners are realtors, handymen, landscapers, interior decorators or house cleaners. Don't forget those who help you in running your business, too. Your accountant and business insurance agent can help. None of these people are your competitors, so they have nothing to lose but lots to gain. 

 Create A Referral Program 

People love a nice rewards program; whether it's from their favorite coffee shop or the gas station. Create an inventive for current and previous clients to bring you new ones. It doesn't have to be a fancy app that tracks the data. It can be as simple as a gift card to a restaurant or retailer. You can determine the monetary value of your products. Salon owners may offer a free cut and color when a regular brings in a new client. A realtor might give $100 gift card to a home goods store.