My agency, JN Advertising, has been developing custom referral programs for our clients for over 30 years. Based on our expertise, I can tell you that you're asking the right questions and getting the wrong (and contradictory) answers on this message board. When one poster writes "Never give money..." and another posts "Money talks...", you may not be getting the best information in order to make a well-informed business decision.
That said, investing in one's business is the wisest investment an owner can make. Every day, millions of people will invest in other business enterprises (i.e. the stock market), but frequently fail to take stock in their very own companies. Investing in growing one's customer base is smart-business.
You have an advantage. I can already see by your questions that you already know (or have it on good authority) that "generating referrals" is a most cost-effect way of growing your particular type of business.
JN Advertising has custom-crafted referral programs for hundreds of different types of businesses. Each program is different. Each program depends on a wide variety of factors, including things like size of 'existing customer base' and, what the average 'value of a new customer'. Any information you're gleaning off of this message board, is based on a zero knowledge of your business. We know nothing more about you than you're Jennifer Cox with some type of photography business.
To answer your immediate questions:
Yes. A referral program can be extremely cost-effective. We have clients that have invested in their referral programs for more than 20 years and we're told that "it's the cheapest way of getting a new customer."
I can't propose a 'great gift idea' until I know more about your business. I'm good at what I do, but I'm not that good! :-)
If you'd like to discuss your business with me in greater detail, it would be my pleasure. If nothing else, a brief conversation might help you get headed in the right direction.
We use KrankzAudio.com headphones to promote TodayWeBuy and OpenHouseOn.com. In one campaign, we generated over 1.1 Million Twitter impressions using Krankz. They're really nice headphones and don't cost too much. For a referral that makes you money, it's a step above a nice thank you card! ;-)
I have given them extra prints on their next session, on others if I am at a wedding that they gave us I take some time out and do their couple shots and email them the images they love it.
Last question first, Yes. Referral programs absolutely work.
The first step would be to 'cultivate referrals' by within your existing customer base. Then calculate your 'cost of a new client' (i.e. average worth vs. cost of acquisition) to determine the price range of a promotional incentive.
Without knowing a bit more about your particular business, I might recommend starting with (believe it or not) something like a calendar. NOT a 99-cent stock calendar, but a custom calendar featuring photos from your portfolio. Photos from your personal collection, one for each month of the year, plus cover photo (13 in all). Calendars have a good shelf-life (uh, generally one year) and if designed properly, should have a decent retention amongst your clients (best potential sources of referral).
A promotional item such as this is 'personal' and would make for a good (lumpy) direct mail program going into the fall/winter holidays.
Just a suggestion.
If you'd care to discuss with me the specifics of your business in greater detail, reach out to [email address]
I leave that up to our community relations department. Our entertainment brand is under a corporate entity which iam the ceo and president of which means i have many departments under me who do the footwork. It is good being an executive.
Join Your Local
Business Network
Connect & get quality referrals
from Small Business Owners
Answers (11-20)
My rates are already as low as I can get them, so I offer additional edits on the photos of their choice.
No need for gifts. Clients come to me because of service and quality, not trinkets
Good morning Jennifer,
My agency, JN Advertising, has been developing custom referral programs for our clients for over 30 years. Based on our expertise, I can tell you that you're asking the right questions and getting the wrong (and contradictory) answers on this message board. When one poster writes "Never give money..." and another posts "Money talks...", you may not be getting the best information in order to make a well-informed business decision.
That said, investing in one's business is the wisest investment an owner can make. Every day, millions of people will invest in other business enterprises (i.e. the stock market), but frequently fail to take stock in their very own companies. Investing in growing one's customer base is smart-business.
You have an advantage. I can already see by your questions that you already know (or have it on good authority) that "generating referrals" is a most cost-effect way of growing your particular type of business.
JN Advertising has custom-crafted referral programs for hundreds of different types of businesses. Each program is different. Each program depends on a wide variety of factors, including things like size of 'existing customer base' and, what the average 'value of a new customer'. Any information you're gleaning off of this message board, is based on a zero knowledge of your business. We know nothing more about you than you're Jennifer Cox with some type of photography business.
To answer your immediate questions:
Yes. A referral program can be extremely cost-effective. We have clients that have invested in their referral programs for more than 20 years and we're told that "it's the cheapest way of getting a new customer."
I can't propose a 'great gift idea' until I know more about your business. I'm good at what I do, but I'm not that good! :-)
If you'd like to discuss your business with me in greater detail, it would be my pleasure. If nothing else, a brief conversation might help you get headed in the right direction.
Call me on Monday at xxx-xxx-xxxx
(no downside in making the phone call) LOL
Best,
Jeff Nowak
We use KrankzAudio.com headphones to promote TodayWeBuy and OpenHouseOn.com. In one campaign, we generated over 1.1 Million Twitter impressions using Krankz. They're really nice headphones and don't cost too much. For a referral that makes you money, it's a step above a nice thank you card! ;-)
I have given them extra prints on their next session, on others if I am at a wedding that they gave us I take some time out and do their couple shots and email them the images they love it.
Hi Jennifer. I'm working on putting my referral program together, but in the past, have given a print or greeting cards (25) with their image on it.
Hi Jennifer,
Last question first, Yes. Referral programs absolutely work.
The first step would be to 'cultivate referrals' by within your existing customer base. Then calculate your 'cost of a new client' (i.e. average worth vs. cost of acquisition) to determine the price range of a promotional incentive.
Without knowing a bit more about your particular business, I might recommend starting with (believe it or not) something like a calendar. NOT a 99-cent stock calendar, but a custom calendar featuring photos from your portfolio. Photos from your personal collection, one for each month of the year, plus cover photo (13 in all). Calendars have a good shelf-life (uh, generally one year) and if designed properly, should have a decent retention amongst your clients (best potential sources of referral).
A promotional item such as this is 'personal' and would make for a good (lumpy) direct mail program going into the fall/winter holidays.
Just a suggestion.
If you'd care to discuss with me the specifics of your business in greater detail, reach out to [email address]
Enjoy the day,
Jeff Nowak
2 raw unedited pose for free. But only available in a certain time period.
Nothing says "I love you like Money".
I leave that up to our community relations department. Our entertainment brand is under a corporate entity which iam the ceo and president of which means i have many departments under me who do the footwork. It is good being an executive.