'Free' and 'effective' shouldn't be in the same sentence.
Every marketing effort involves your time. And you are not free.
You use a car to save time, right? You buy vegetables instead of talking the time and money to grow them yourself, right?
A referral program can't be free. It is the confluence of four concepts: -a referral system -an onboarding system -an appreciation system -a retention system
Systems create long term growth, loyalty, and ensure you don't inadvertently get caught up in 'word of mouth' false paths.
Systems also pay back rapidly the investment cost...
1st ASK! To many people are timid about asking for business. If you have done your best your customer will appreciate your work. By letting them know that their opinion matters to you getting more work they will pass your name on to others. 2nd send a thank you note about 20 days after completing the job, with 3 business cards in it.
I just casually mention "if you know anyone else that needs...) That sometimes opens up a vonversation that leads to an appointment. I thank that customer even if it is a referral months down the line.
Do the best you can and customers will come to you. Takes a little time but it works. Make your customers happy and one will tell two others and so forth. I’ve been at this for just over a year. I use to get stressed out and worry my brain out on where my next job was going to come from. Not anymore. I used three online lead generators. I dropped the most expensive one. Today, one has 31 clients waiting for an answer which doesn’t cost me anything unless I accept the lead. The other big box generator is free so I’ll keep that one that’s given me work. When I’m self sufficient these will probably go bye bye. I’m too busy to answer these request. Talked to 3 other contractors in my field. They don’t use anything for leads. They don’t use any online systems which only take your money and they don’t carry any business cards. All word of mouth between customers. You just got to do the best work you can and people will call you.
Answers (1-10)
Every marketing effort involves your time. And you are not free.
You use a car to save time, right? You buy vegetables instead of talking the time and money to grow them yourself, right?
A referral program can't be free. It is the confluence of four concepts:
-a referral system
-an onboarding system
-an appreciation system
-a retention system
Systems create long term growth, loyalty, and ensure you don't inadvertently get caught up in 'word of mouth' false paths.
Systems also pay back rapidly the investment cost...
Mark
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1st ASK! To many people are timid about asking for business. If you have done your best your customer will appreciate your work. By letting them know that their opinion matters to you getting more work they will pass your name on to others. 2nd send a thank you note about 20 days after completing the job, with 3 business cards in it.
Quality work breads referrals exponentially. Focus on service and workmanship ... have a system in place to scale as you grow.
The best way is to do an excellent job for them and have them write the referral before you leave the house with the final check
I just casually mention "if you know anyone else that needs...) That sometimes opens up a vonversation that leads to an appointment. I thank that customer even if it is a referral months down the line.
Do the best you can and customers will come to you. Takes a little time but it works. Make your customers happy and one will tell two others and so forth. I’ve been at this for just over a year. I use to get stressed out and worry my brain out on where my next job was going to come from. Not anymore. I used three online lead generators. I dropped the most expensive one. Today, one has 31 clients waiting for an answer which doesn’t cost me anything unless I accept the lead. The other big box generator is free so I’ll keep that one that’s given me work. When I’m self sufficient these will probably go bye bye. I’m too busy to answer these request. Talked to 3 other contractors in my field. They don’t use anything for leads. They don’t use any online systems which only take your money and they don’t carry any business cards. All word of mouth between customers. You just got to do the best work you can and people will call you.
I offer cash back to any customer that sends us a new customer. $100 per paid contract.
First take care of the current customer. Then, we offer discounts on future projects for referrals.