How to Ask For Referrals

Do you struggle with asking your clients for referrals? This can be a highly intimidating task, and one that is very easy to talk yourself out of. If you do, you’re not alone. Asking for referrals is something that several small business owners wrestle with. Read on to learn how to overcome your fears and boost your business through client referrals.

 

The Good News: People Want to Help!

 

In his book The Referral Engine, John Jantsch explains that people genuinely want to help others, especially when it’s easy to do. Providing referrals that deliver business to a business owner and solve a problem for a friend or colleague is a natural way for people to help one another. Think about all of the times you have asked a friend to recommend a movie or a place for dinner. When you told them how much you enjoyed the experience, didn’t their face light up?

 

 

 

Deliver a Service and Experience Worth Referring

 

If you are passionate about helping people solve problems through the services you offer, you are well on your way to delivering a service worth referring. Authenticity goes a long way, and when you truly believe in the service you are providing, customers pick up on that emotional energy. Then something wonderful happens; your service not only provides great results, but a rewarding experience that becomes something customers look forward to and want to share with their friends.

 

 

 

Be Likable

 

Some business owners struggle to know where to draw the line between personality and professionalism. While you shouldn’t gossip or talk about things you’d be embarrassed to have other people overhear, it’s important that you allow your customers to get to know you. The world functions on relationships, and solidifying those you have with your clients is one of the best ways to gain trust, loyalty, and friends. Remember that people want to do business with people they like, and will feel much more confident knowing that the people whom they are referring to you will not only be in good hands, but will enjoy your company as well.

 

 

 

Make it Easy

 

When asking your customers for referrals, make sure it’s easy for them to help you. Offer them brochures or business cards that they can hand out to friends. Point them to your website or social media pages. If you have an open house coming up, be sure to tell your customers about it and ask them to bring their friends.

 

 

 

How to Ask

 

When asking for referrals, a little bit of honest flattery can really help. Start by approaching the customers you absolutely love to see. Odds are fair that they have similar friends or family members who would make great customers for you. One of the best times to ask for referrals is after a customer has made a comment about how thrilled they are with their experience or results. Simply reply that they are a pleasure to have as a customer, and that you wish you could have more clients like them. In fact, if they know anyone who might enjoy or benefit from your services, you’d be happy to give them some brochures or business cards to pass along. It’s that simple!

 

 

 

One Important Thing to Remember

 

Customers may assume that you are booked solid and not currently looking to take on additional customers. Or they may just have never considered that they could help you. Remember that people want to help others and that referrals are something we naturally want to give. Customers may just need a reminder every once in a while, which means you have to ask!