Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Simple Way to Double Your Referrals

by David Frey
Marketing Best Practices


If you've been in business for awhile you've
probably heard of the "80/20 Rule."

The 80/20 Rule says that 80% of your results
come from only 20% of your activities.

You can see the 80/20 Rule in action every
where you look. Especially when it comes to
referral marketing!

I'll almost bet you my next paycheck that
80% of the referrals you receive, come from
only 20% (or less) of your clients.

__________________________________

So What Does This Mean to You?

__________________________________


It means that if you want to double your
referrals, all you need to do is focus
on the 20% of your customers that are
bringing you the most referrals!

So let me ask you...

Do you have a list of all the people who
have referred business to you in the past
12 months?

If you don't, then you need to create that
list and keep it up to date.

________________________________

This is Your "Platinum List"
________________________________


You should be giving the people on your
Platinum List the red carpet treatment.

If you take care of the people on your
Platinum List,
they will take care of YOU!

Here are some IDEAS for showing appreciation
to your Platinum List customers....


Idea # 1
__________

Send them a dinner certificate
from http://www.Restaurant.com


Idea # 2
__________

Send them an appreciation card like the
one below using SendOutCards.com

http://www.thereferralnewsletter.com/a/appr.jpg

(copy and paste the link the into your browser)


Idea # 3
__________

Send them a Starbucks Coffee Card using
SendOutCards.com

http://www.TheReferralNewsletter.com/a/star.jpg

(copy and paste the link the into your browser)


Idea # 4
__________

Send them a local movie theatre gift
certificate from http://www.GiftCertificates.com


Idea # 5
__________

Send them a phone message telling them how
much you appreciate them using...

http://www.ProspectsToProfits.com


These are just a few ideas of what you can
do to double your referrals by nurturing your
Platinum List.

______________________________________

Here's the Best and Easiest Way to...
______________________________________


...nurture your Platinum List.

You simply put your customers and clients on
an automated "stay-in-touch" program using
SendOutCards.com

It's the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to
stay in touch over a long period of time
with those "20%'ers" that bring you the
majority of your referrals.

With SendOutCards.com you can create an
automated campaign that sends out stunning
greeting cards that will always surprise
and delight your customers and clients.

It's as easy as pushing a simple button.

Find out why thousands of small business
owners around the nation are starting to
use this nifty, time saving system every
single day.

Go to http://www.SendOutCardsVideo.com
and watch a video of how this system
works right now.

And if you want to learn how to sign up
for SendOutCards.com, just go to
http://www.SignUpOptionsVideo.com

David

P.S. Have a great day!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Have You Achieved the "HVA?"

Video not working? Click here for Adobe Flash 9!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Get Talked About!

Video not working? Click here for Adobe Flash 9!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Don't Forget the Cates Web Class on March 3rd!

2009: Your Best Referral Year EVER! With Bill Cates



Join us for a Webinar on March 3






Join us for this exciting WEB CLASS with BILL CATES of Referral Coach International. (there is a minimum charge for books and materials)

Referral expert and bestselling author (Get More Referrals NOW) Bill Cates knows that this volatile economy represents a great opportunity for agents and advisors who have a plan for getting a constant stream of referrals. You can be one of those elite professionals and have your own PROVEN referral system in place by attending this special 1.5 hour web class with "America's Referral Coach."

Cost: $97 includes outline and two information-jammed reports PLUS: Special bonus material from Grouchy and the Insurance Mavericks worth over $150.00! NOTE: If you are an Insurance Mavericks member- you will soon get an email with information on how you can attend the class for FREE.

In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will learn:

• 4 essential strategies for generating referrals.
• 3 strategies to make sure you are as referable as possible.
• 6 ways to promote and get referrals without asking.
• 4-step method to ask for referrals without pushing or begging.
• How to exit the referral request with confidence.
• Fool proof formula for knowing when to ask for referrals.
• How to turn a referral into a quality introduction.
• How to say thank you for referrals.
• And a lot more!

When you complete the class:

• You’ll have a proven system to generate more referrals
than ever before.
• You’ll have more confidence with the referral process, so
you’ll actually do it.
• Your referability will be increased so you’ll get more
referrals without asking.
• You’ll start getting more and better referrals.
• You'll experience Increased production with less work.
• You will be on your way to a thriving referral-based business!

NOTE: Only 50 slots are available so register now. You will be automatically directed to the payment page. Please wait a few seconds to see the "Thank you" and then you will be sent to the shopping cart.

Title:
2009: Your Best Referral Year EVER! With Bill Cates

Date:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Time:
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/330674532

Friday, February 6, 2009

Be Interesting! Two Great Blog Posts About Going Beyond the Ordinary


Tammy "Grouchy Marketing Lady"
tries hard to be DIFFERENT


by Tammy de Leeuw
Financial Advisor Netzone
Grouchymarketinglady.com

I found two great blog posts about one of the most overlooked client attraction methods around- simply being different. Thought you might like to read them...
Be interesting.”

COPYBLOGGER'S Jonathan Morrow offers this...

It’s good advice, but it’s nothing new. You’ve probably known from the beginning that being able to interest readers is a crucial part of growing a popular blog. It’s pretty obvious that no one is going to stick around unless they find your blog interesting.


But how are you supposed to do it exactly? How can you “be interesting?”


Far too much of what we write about attention and interest is abstract. We talk about differentiation, value, and triggers — all useful concepts, but you can’t point to them. You can’t hold out your hand and say, “Give me some differentiation.” As a result, it’s hard to wrap your mind around what those things actually mean.


I’d like to change that. Over the past few weeks, I’ve paid attention to the things that command attention, both of myself and others, and I’ve made a list of 21 techniques that work. It’s far from all of them I’m sure, but it should be enough to get you started.


1) Be wrong: The world is full of people trying to do the right things. It’s become so common that many of us are bored by it. We long for someone that is willing to do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing, be the wrong thing. If you have the courage to be that person, you’ll find lots of people paying attention to you.


2) Be right: You can also gain attention by being right… but only if you’re more right than everyone else. Run a mile faster than anyone else, explain your topic more clearly than anyone else, be funnier than everyone else. Embody perfection, and people will take notice...


(read the rest of this great post at: http://www.copyblogger.com/how-to-be-interesting/)


And the brilliant SCOTT GINSBERG gives us


30 Ways to become the Most Interesting Person You Know



How much money is being boring costing you?

ANSWER: Too much.



Boring ideas lose.
Boring people fade.
Boring organizations fizzle.



LESSON LEARNED: There is inverse relationship between how successful you are and how boring you are.



Seth Godin talked about this at length in a recent podcast with Ductape John:



"If the marketplace isn't talking about you, there's a reason," Seth says. "If people aren't discussing your products, your services, your cause, your movement or your career, there's a reason. The reason is that you're boring."



This reminds me of the movie American Beauty. Towards the end, Ricky (the outcast) finally shoots down Angela (the popular girl) by evoking her deepest fear: That she’s normal.



“You're boring. And you're totally ordinary. And you know it,” Ricky says.



Devastated, Angela storms out of the room.



Ouch.



What about you?

Are YOU normal? Do your customers perceive you as normal?



Hope not. Your business depends on it.



Today we’re going to explore a list of thirty ways to become the most interesting person you know. As someone who makes a living writing books about "not BEING normal," (as well as being pretty abnormal himself!) each of these practices comes from my direct experience, observation, research and reflection.



1. Avoid the Always/Notice the Never. Find out what people who do what you do ALWAYS do, then do the opposite. Similarly, find out what people who do what you do NEVER do, then do the opposite. Here’s a helpful video module with an exercise you can implement to make this practice happen. What are you currently doing that’s unpredictable?



2. Make the mundane memorable. What do your voicemail, email signature, business card, website and blog have in common? ANSWER: They’re all boring. Keep in mind: Nobody notices normal. Nobody buys boring. And nobody pays for average. So, the secret is to create a seamless predictability among all marketing touchpoints. All of these are underused branding hotspots (and more!) require a unique touch. How many customers is being boring costing you?



3. Don’t be one-dimensional. I once had a boss whose sole interest, purpose and passion in life was sports. That’s it. The guy couldn’t carry conversation like a normal person unless the topic related to sports. Or, if the conversation was not about sports, he’d go out of his way to make sure it slowly became that way...


see the rest at:


http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2009/02/30-ways-to-become-most-interesting.html


Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Tammy

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

How to Get Referrals While You're On Vacation
by David Frey
____________________________________________________


How would you like to stun, surprise and delight
your friends, business associates and referral
sources?

Simple.

Send them a greeting card that looks like this...


http://www.TheReferralNewsletter.com/a/vac1.jpg

(copy and paste the link into your browser)


Pretty cool, huh?

That greeting card was created while on vacation.

______________________________________________

The Amazing Power of the "Vacation Card"
______________________________________________


One of the coolest ways to delight the people
that know you is to send them a card while
you're on vacation.

How would you feel if you got a card from a
friend or business associate letting you
know that he was thinking about you while
he was on his vacation?

Here's another example of a great vacation card.


http://www.TheReferralNewsletter.com/a/vac2.jpg

(copy and paste the link into your browser)


You would probably feel pretty special.

Well, that's exactly what will happen when
you send cards to people while you're out
of town on vacation, just let them know
that you are thinking about them.

Here's a Simple Way to...

_____________________________________________________

Send Your Vacation Card to Hundreds of People...
_____________________________________________________


...With the Simple Push of a Button.

Step 1 Join Send Out Cards (you can send a card for nothing by going HERE)

Step 2 - Snap an exciting digital photo while on vacation

Step 3 - Upload that photo into SendOutCards.com

Step 4 - Insert a fun message on your card

Step 5 - Save your card

Step 6 - Select your group of friends and attach
that group to your card and push the "send" button.

That's it.

Your card will be printed, stuffed into envelopes,
stamped and sent out in one day!

The function in SendOutCards.com that allows you
upload and modify photos is called, "Picture Plus."

It is awesome!

Want to see a demo of how Picture Plus works?

It's going to blow you away.


Go check it out at http://www.PicturePlusDemo.com

(copy and paste the link into your browser)


____________________________________________

Imagine how all your friends will feel...
____________________________________________


...when they get your vacation greeting card.

They're going to love you!

This is just one of the many cool things you can
If you want to find out how to sign up for SendOutCards.com just go to...

http://www.SignUpOptionsVideo.com

Use Code 50147.

(copy and paste the link into your browser)

Have a great day.

David

PS: Don't forget to watch my LIVE WEBINAR on February 24th where I will discuss the Send Out Cards system in detail and show you, step-by-step how easy it is to create an automated, unique referral system of your very own. If that date is not good for you, register anyway, and we will send you the recording link.
Just copy and paste or click on this link to attend. There is no charge.
PS#2: If you have questions about the webinar or about signing up for Send Out Cards, just call
978-633-7140 Mon-Friday 8AM-3PM Pacific time.

Monday, February 2, 2009

How To Make it RAIN Referrals



If you don't have a systematic referral program you
are missing out on one of the simplest, lowest cost,
ways to generate your highest quality customers.
Referrals are the lifeblood of small business and if
you haven't yet institutionalized a referral program,
you're making a huge mistake.

______________________________
_

Why are Referrals so Powerful?
______________________________
_


The reason referrals are so powerful is because they
come from a credible third party that has experienced
first hand the benefits of doing business with you.
They are even more powerful when they come from a friend
because you know that a friend has no ulterior motivations
but to do what's in your best interest.
You can believe what you friend is saying versus hearing a
commercial from a salesperson whose sole purpose is to
make money from you.

Referrals are also valuable because most of the time
they are completely free. How would you like to receive
the benefits of the most compelling sales advertisement
on earth for absolutely nothing?
You can through referrals.

Research shows the importance of referrals. According
to Paul and Sarah Edwards (authors of Getting Business
to Come to You), up to 45% of most service businesses
are chosen by customers based on the recommendations
of others.
A recent Dun and Bradstreet survey found referrals
to be one of the two most popular small-business marketing
methods (the other one is advertising).


Lastly, and I think this is the most powerful reason of all,
customers that give referrals become more loyal to you and
your business.
Once someone stands up and makes a public statement about you,
psychologically they will become more loyal to you and your business.

______________________________
______________________________

Customer Service Doesn't Always Equate to Lots of Referrals

______________________________
______________________________


Customer service is critical to the success of your referral
program. It is the foundation of the referral process. But
just because you give good customer service, it doesn't
mean that you will get a lot of referrals.
deliberate planning as it is great customer service.

Many small business owners assume that referrals will
happen by themselves if you give good customer service.
This isn't true. If you are not deliberate and proactive in
creating referrals, the chances of you receiving as many
referrals as you want are slim.
And your best customers are ready and willing to give you
referrals as was shown in the statistics above, you just
need to show them how.

______________________________
______________________________

Word of Mouth Advertising and a Referrals are Not the Same
______________________________
______________________________


Word of Mouth advertising happens when one of your
customers or friends mentions your small business in a
casual conversation. It's not intentional or planned. It's
just something that came out of their mouth.

A referral system is a methodical process that you
have put in place to capture qualified prospects through
your association with other people.


A 'system' by its definition is a 'process that products
predictable results.' A system can be turned on and off
like a light switch at will. Your business needs word
of mouth advertising but don't mistake that with developing
a methodical system for referral prospecting.

______________________________
_________________________

Making it Rain Referrals Starts with Your Attitude!
______________________________
_________________________


Time and again the same question keeps coming to me,
'How do I get more referrals?' My answer is always the
same, 'You must ask for them.'
In reality, most small business owners know that they
have to ask for referrals to get more referrals but it's the
fear of asking that impedes them from moving forward.

This fear of asking is rooted in your attitude. If your
attitude is one that believes that you are asking that
person to go out on a limb for you by asking them to
give you referrals then you will always be battling with fear.

______________________________
_______

People Want to Give Your Referrals
______________________________
_______

If you truly believe that it will be helping them if you
ask them to give you referrals your fear would fade quickly.
Your customers want to give you referrals.
It makes them feel good that they found a great small business
that they had a good experience with and they want to
share their 'little secret' (you) with their friends.

They will be seen as a hero, or someone 'in the know.'
And when their friend receives great service from you as well,
your referring customer will feel as though he was able to
do their friends a great favor.

When you ask for a referral, and you have treated that person
right, you are actually doing them a special favor.

______________________________

How to Ask for a Referral
______________________________


Has someone ever asked you for a referral? Did it go
something like this: 'Hey John, by chance would you know
someone who could benefit from my services?'
John starts to ponder and think about it and eventually
says, 'Well, not off the top of my head, but I'll keep thinking
about it.'

This is how 90% of all referral questions are asked and
unfortunately, you might as well not ask the question.
Rarely, if every, will you get a positive response. Why?
Because you didn't ask the question right. 'know anyone
who...' questions are too broad for people to think about.

People need a frame of reference to help them narrow
down the playing field of potential referral candidates.
For instance, imagine that you are talking to one of your
good clients who is pleased with your services.

You ask her, 'Mary, you're a member of the Women's
Financial Planning Association here in Chicago right?'
Mary responds, 'Yes, I am.' You ask, 'Do you go to
their meetings on a regular basis?' 'Yes, most
of the time.'

Mary says. 'Is there anyone in your
association that you believe could benefit from my
services? Maybe one or two people you've
known in the group for awhile or sit next to regularly?'

Did you see the difference? You gave Mary a narrow
frame of reference from which to think about. It allowed
her to 'see' the potential referrals in her mind.
This may be limiting the number of potential people that
your associates might know, but it is far more effective
than opening up the ocean of people that Mary may
know, but can't remember. Your request will also stay
in Mary's mind long after you've asked it because
she visualized your services with much greater intensity.

______________________________
____

Two Types of Referral Programs
______________________________
____


Basically, there are two sources for referrals, your
current customers (people who have done business
with you) and other influential people. You should have
an active referral system for both types of people.

Your customers are perhaps your most enthusiastic
referrers because they have experienced your product.
But, you may in fact, get more referrals from other
influential people who have never tried your product.

Develop a system for obtaining referrals first from
your customers and second from other influential
people or 'Centers of Influence.'

______________________________

Customer Referral Program

______________________________


Receiving referrals from customers starts with giving
great customer service. Without going into much
detail about the ins and outs of customer service I'd
like to share with you eight 'Moments of Truth'
that provide opportunities for you create a loyal
customer for life.

Pay close attention to watch out for these seven
moments of truth and if you go the extra mile at the
right time, bang, you have a lifetime customer.

- Moment of Truth # 1: The moment your customer
complains.

- Moment of Truth # 2: The moment one of your new
customers comes back to place a second order.

- Moment of Truth # 3: The moment a customer has
thanked you.

- Moment of Truth # 4: The moment one of your
customers has been through a hard time because
of a foul up on your (or their) part.

- Moment of Truth # 5: The moment a customer needs
a favor from you.

- Moment of Truth # 6: The moment you see your
customer in public.

- Moment of Truth # 7: The moment your customer
brings in a referral.

Perhaps the simplest way to harvest referrals from
your customers is to write a simple letter asking
them for their help.

______________________________
_____________

Centers of Influence and the 80/20 Rule
______________________________
_____________


Your best referrers are your customers. The people
who have experience with you and can vouch first
hand for your product and service. However, there
are many other people and organizations that you
must include in your referral prospecting system.

These individuals are people who know and
mingle with many other influential people. These
people are often known as, 'Centers of Influence.'

Centers of Influence can multiply your marketing
efforts ten-fold. They turn your marketing efforts from
one-to-one to one-to-many. They are the heavy hitters
that can have a profound multiplying effect on your
business.

A smart small business owner will spend the majority
of his referral prospecting time with the 20% of their
Centers of Influence that will produce 80% of the results.

______________________________
____________

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Centers of Influence
______________________________
____________


Your Tier 1 Centers of Influence are people that are
directly related in some way to your industry or
profession. Tier 1 Centers of Influence have a connection
to your industry because they provide complimentary
products and services. Referrals coming from your
Tier 1 Centers of Influence can be very powerful.

For example, suppose you are a chiropractor. Tier 1
Centers of Influence for you would be orthopedic
doctors, massage therapists, physical therapists,
family physicians, local gym owners and managers,
outpatient placement coordinators etc. All these
occupations deal with people who may be in need
of chiropractics.

______________________________
____________________

What is Your Goal with Tier 1 Referral Givers?
______________________________
____________________


Your goal with Tier 1 referral givers is to be the
first person on their minds when someone asks them
about purchasing a spa or pool. With this in mind,
you should sit down with your staff and come up with
ideas about how to be the first person standing in line
in the minds of your Tier 1 referrers.

Here are a few ideas to start you off:

1. Be their number one referrer: Make sure that you
also have a referral mindset. Before you get you must
give, which means that in order to get lots of referrals
from these people you must be giving them referrals.

2. Sponsor networking events or social gatherings
for them. Make sure you try not to invite competitors.
Have a good cross section. You might hold several
of these parties throughout the year so that you can
invite several different potential referrers from the same
industry.

3. Put each one of them on your newsletter list.
Give them helpful information that they can use to
make their sales go up. Give them marketing advice
and information on new developments in your industry
in which they should be aware.

4. Invite them to an all-expense paid marketing
association luncheon that has a great speaker.
Rent a limo to pick them up, serve them wine or
fine drinks, and treat them like stars. (I know a
mortgage broker that does this with real estate
agents and makes a fortune in referrals)

5. Purchase an information product about marketing
in their business and give it to them as a free gift.
They will thank you for your interest in wanting to
help them grow their business.

6. If it's a big potential referrer, send them a Harry
and David (www.harryanddavid.com) year round
gift that they will receive every month. This will keep
you in their minds all year long. Not long ago
someone did this for me and my wife and I glow
when we receive our fruit basket each month.

If you don't have the time or inclination to develop
a relationship with your Tier 1 Centers of Influence
then don't even try. If you're a chiropractor, it's
better to choose only one local family physician and
become close friends with him then trying to be
friends with 10 physicians haphazardly.

______________________________
_____________________

Educate Your Tier 1 Centers of Influence with Special Reports
______________________________
_____________________


Arm your Tier 1 Centers of Influence with tools to
help them to help their customers (and your prospects).
You may consider giving your Tier 1 Center of Influence
a supply of special reports that you have developed.

Again, if you're a chiropractor and someone inquires
about chiropractics to your Center of Influence they can
give them a special report that will answer some of their
questions. This will make your Center of Influence
look good and it will also be an effective method of referring
you.

Another idea is to purchase a best selling book-on-tape
that you think they might be interested in and give it to
them as a gift to let them know you
were thinking about them.
Information products aboutthat teach your Center of Influence
how to grow their business are always welcome and will let
them know that you are interested in growing your business.

______________________________
_

Tier 2 Centers of Influence
______________________________
_


Tier 2 Centers of Influence are people whom you come
in contact with on a regular basis in your personal life
but aren't connected to your industry. These are people
who come in contact with a large number of other people.
They too can multiply your marketing efforts.

Your Tier two Centers of Influence include but are not
limited to the following:

1. Neighbors

2. Friends

3. Clergy

4. Small business owners

5. Corporate business executives

6. Accountants

7. Financial planners

8. Lawyers

9. Pest control people

10. Etc.

Your Tier 2 Centers of Influence are people that may
have no idea what it is that you do. Take the time to
clearly explain to them not only what it is you do but
the importance of referrals for your business.

Go one step farther by inviting them to after-hours
socials. Tell them stories about some results that
your customer's have experienced as a result
of your product or service. Get them excited about
what you do.
Get to know what they do by asking them questions.
Now each of you can get excited when you give valuable
referrals, which in turn will be transferred to the new prospect.

______________________________
_____

The Power of Cross-Promotions
______________________________
_____


Perhaps the single most powerful referral program
is a cross-promotion using endorsements from other
well-respected people. It's a simple idea, an associate
sends an endorsement letter about you and your
product or service to their customer list and you, in
turn, do the same to your customer list. It's a win-win.

The reason endorsement letters are so powerful is
because people will buy from people they know
and respect.
How many times have you asked a personal friend
"'Do you know a good place to
buy __________?' Or 'Do you a good ____________
that I can go to see about getting _____________ done?"
You trust their opinion so you feel comfortable
buying from them.

You can make it a one-way cross-promotion in which
you have someone send out a letter to their customer
list and you give them a referral fee for those people who
buy your service.
Or you can make it a two-way cross- promotion in which both
of your send letters to your customers about each other's
products and services.

The are some examples of complimentary products or
services businesses that can take advantage of this
powerful strategy:

- Pizza place and video rental store

- Accountant and financial planner

- Toy store and fast food restaurant

- Dry cleaner and clothing store

- Paint store and tile business

- Jewelry store and wedding supply

The possibilities are endless. Brainstorm with people
in your network to come up with potential promotions
that you can do together. The payoff can be tremendous.

______________________________
_______________________

Ten Questions to Help You Become a Networking Pro

______________________________
_______________________


In my earlier years when I was naive I thought that
my success would increase in proportion to the
number of business cards I handed out. I handed
them out in droves.
But I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting any business.
After a few years of experience under my belt I realized that it wasn't
the numbers that count, but the quality of relationships
that I nurtured.

To be a great networker you must become 'you' centered
rather than 'me' centered. Recognize that people
want to talk about themselves more than anything.
They are their own favorite subjects. Take advantage
of that and learn these 10 questions that will make people
feel warm, appreciated, and important.

Zig Ziglar, the famous sales trainer once said, 'You
can get everything in life you want if you just help
enough other people get what they want.' This is
so true. Thanks Mr. Ziglar.

The following are ten questions that Bob Burg, author
of the book, 'Endless Referrals' gives to help you get
to know potential referrers and leave a lasting
positive impression.

1. How did you get your start in the widget business?

People like to be the movie of the week in someone
else's mind. Let them share their story with your
while you actively listen.

2. What do you enjoy most about your profession?

This question elicits a positive response and good
feelings.

3. What separates you and your company from the
competition?

This question gives them permission to brag about
their business.

4. What advice would you give someone just starting
in the widget business?

This question makes them feel superior and allows
them to do some mentoring.

5. What one thing would you do with your business if you
knew you could not fail?

This question allows your friend to fantasize and
they will be thankful that you cared enough to ask.

6. What significant changes have you seen take place
in your profession through the years?

Asking people who are a little bit more mature in
years can be perfect because it allows them to reminiscing
about the good ole days.

7. What do you see as the coming trends in the widget
business?

This is a speculation question and positions them as an
expert in their industry which make them feel important.

8. What was the strangest or funniest incident you've
experienced in your business?

People love to share war stories but usually get a chance
to tell anyone about their experiences.

9. What ways have you found to be the most effective for
promoting your business?

This question, again, elicits a positive reaction and
also gives you an opportunity to see how they think.

10. What one sentence would you like people to use in
describing the way you do business?

You are allowing them to give themselves a compliment.
Who doesn't like compliments?

You'll notice something in common with each of these
questions. They all center around the person you are
talking to and allows them an opportunity to talk about
themselves.
Don't expect to ask your Center of Influence
each of these questions, but do have a few ready when
you talk to others.

______________________________
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Start (or join) a Referral Group
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Choose ten people that you think would be good
members of your referral group. They may or may not
be your Centers of Influence. Let them know that you
are establishing a referral group and that they were one
of the first people to enter them mind because of their
great reputation.

Ask them to educate you on exactly what they do.
Tit for tat. No favors, no begging, no debt, no
smiley facing. Just a clean, fair, intriguing and
powerful approach.

Have monthly lunches when your group can get together
and then perhaps visit one of the group member's
businesses to allow them to explain what they do.
Find ways to serve your group members and educated
them on how to grow their own businesses.

You can begin to grow your network slowly and invite
other people who you or other members would feel
good about recommending. It's just a matter of
expanding your network to tap into the network of
other professionals. Simple, doable, easy. No selling
required. Just honesty.

Here are the steps to maximizing your referrals and revenue:

1. Appoint yourself as the host of this network In other words,
be their leader. (No need to tell them, however.)

2. So, now that you are the leader, ask yourself, 'What do my
constituents need most that I can provide for them at a very
small cost to myself?'

3. The answer? Training in how to build their businesses via
referrals.

4. Send a monthly note and update your group about each
others businesses. You need to be consistent with this
mailing (or emailing) each month. In effect, the monthly
list/email also works as an effective reminder that you are
there!

I have a friend in the financial services industry who sponsors
a monthly luncheon. Members pay a quarterly fee which
covers the cost of the lunch. He gets 50 to a 100 people at
his meetings and has literally stopped his advertising efforts
all together.

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A Caution About Giving Referral Fees
______________________________
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Use a referral fee as your last ditch strategy. Money has
never bred loyalty. Friendship, trust, and a positive relationship
are what drive loyalty to you and your business. If you give
referral fees you will undoubtedly run into a situation in which
the referrer claims he gave you a referral and you disagree.

Or one of your competitors starts giving referral fees and
you feel the need to continually match them causing a
referral fee war (I've seen it happen). Another embarrassing
situation is when your customer finds out that a referral fee
changed hands which breaks the trust and confidence the
relationship.

It just seems that whenever money enters into the equation
and there is no surefire way to track it, trouble is on its way.
I've seen too many good relationships go sour because of a
referral fee dispute. It breeds everything you don't want in a
trusting relationship.

________________

Conclusion
________________


Establishing a referral program with your customers and
other influential people is absolutely critical. Many small
business people make the mistake of not institutionalizing
a systematic program for referrals. They confuse word of
mouth advertising with a referral system and, hence, overlook
the single most effective advertising for a small business.

Don't make the same mistake. Develop your networking
skills and referral programs today and start receiving an
endless stream of new customers.
Now go out there and make it rain referrals!

David Frey PS: Join DAVID FREY live when he gives an A-Z demo of his favorite referral
system in real time! GO Here to register!