10 Strategies to Get More Referrals in 2022
Episode 632: Show Notes
Referrals are, without a doubt, one of the hottest topics that we have going on inside our world. We are so intentional about you doing business the easiest way possible without having to invest in huge ad spends, or allocate loads of money to marketing budgets, or focus on growing an absurdly huge social media presence. We really want you to focus on connections instead. The vast majority of our clients get booked out with almost exclusively referrals, and as they grow they start experimenting with different strategies.
Today, we want to talk about ten ways to get more referrals in your world. A referral lead is just as real a lead as a stranger! Quit downplaying the quality and impact that referrals can have on your business, just because they felt easier to get. Referrals, by and far, are better quality, will pay better, will be easier to work with, will finish their projects faster, and they also know other dreamy clients which they may end up connecting you to. It literally only takes one dreamy client to connect you to a network of other dreamy clients, and the clients that we see who use that route, reach their goals way more easily, and are happy in their day-to-day business.
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Our favorite ways to land quality referrals (even if you don't know a ton of people or are an introvert!)
First things first, don’t underestimate how powerful your current relationships are. To be clear, we absolutely are not talking about reaching out to your mom and your aunt and asking them to support your business. Maybe some of them are potential clients, but instead, what we’re recommending is that you take a look at who you know. It may sound crazy, but most people have around a thousand people in their network; people you went to school with, your kid’s school community, your church community, your parents’ friends; it’s amazing how quickly it all adds up! The level at which you know one another is irrelevant, but you have a network!
Take a look at who you know, and identify three people you could consider ‘super connectors’. These are people who are extraverted, chatty, and run into people they know, wherever they go! They’re in constant communication with other people. Reach out to those people and ask if they know anyone who fits the profile of your ideal client. The question you’re asking is not if this person is your ideal client, but rather if they might know someone who knows someone who is!
When it comes to opening up the conversation, now is the time to be blunt. People want to do this, it does not feel like a hindrance. All you have to do is to be as specific as you can to help them to help you! You literally need to meet up and ask them for the email addresses of three people who fit the profile of the kind of person you’re searching for. This ties into the important technique of getting really clear on the results you’re looking for. If other people aren’t referring you, it’s because they don’t know what to refer you for! Instead of trying to sell your services, you’re talking about the problems you’ve solved for your existing clients, and all of a sudden it clicks for people.
Don’t hesitate to keep clarifying what it is that you provide. Ask questions like, ‘Do you know anyone who struggles with x?’, or describe their problems as they might be complaining about them to someone else, and the connection will be made far more easily for whoever it is that’s listening.
The best way to get automatic referrals
One of our all time favorite things to do is to do something once, and never have to do it again. Setting up an automatic process, automatic emails, forms, and requests to send to your existing clients in order to get them to connect you to more dreamy clients.
When you know you need to know someone, and you know something about them, but you don’t know them, it’s time to send word out to the masses. The more off the cuff this looks, the better! Here’s your magic sentence “who do you know in [insert industry]”. Share it on Facebook, or on your Instagram, and see what happens. We’re not looking for massive results here, we’re just looking for a handful of people to take us really seriously.
Another great tool for this is to literally tell everyone, everywhere, all the time, what you do. This can also take the form of posting on Instagram about what you’re doing. It’s not necessarily about using social media to make this massive following. It’s about using social media to get really clear on what you do, so that the small group of people that are following you become your referral network.
How to build your own referral engine and create so many leads you'll need to start saying no ;)
Find someone who is like you and become partners, instead of competitors. This is someone who has really similar ideal clients to you. The opportunity to trade business with someone who has a very similar offering is absolutely incredible. This way, you’ll begin to build your own referral engine, where you’re starting to get paid to say no to leads. Utilize these strategic connections to create relationships. This takes time! It takes strategy. This can accelerate the process of going from being desperate for every client, to being too busy to take on new leads! Don’t spill it all in one meeting, but always be kind, genuine, and real in your relationships.
Another thing totally worth finding, is network opportunities with people who offer related services but aren’t direct competitors. There’s an industry standard within the wedding space that enables service providers to get connected to other businesses within the industry. The trading of leads in this space enables people to get work. Being a networking leader in your industry allows you to create a kickass experience for your clients, and it takes the pressure off of you to be an expert at everything! Some of this is going to take some intentional outreach, finding folks as though you want to hire them, but it’s so important to start to have these conversations!
We literally just saw a client use the technique of just starting local. Where are your rooted connections? Start where you have your deepest roots. Start with the easiest yes first, because it domino effects into way more yeses. Do this even if it means going back to your home town. Find the connections you already have, and allow that to build the confidence you need to take it further. You can not know that many people
If all this sounds overwhelming to you, don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the process and help you build the strong network you need by creating your own double referral engine. Step one? Sign up for the Incubator!
Quote This
It’s not necessarily about using social media to make this massive following. It’s about using social media to get really clear on what you do, so that the small group of people that are following you become your referral network.
Highlights
Our favorite ways to land quality referrals (even if you don't know a ton of people or are an introvert!) [0:11:52]
The best way to get automatic referrals [0:24:26]
How to build your own referral engine and create so many leads you'll need to start saying no ;) [0:32:19]
ON TODAY’S SHOW
Abagail & Emylee
The Strategy Hour Podcast
We help overwhelmed and creative entrepreneurs break down their Oprah-sized dreams to create a functioning command center to tame the chaos of their business. Basically, we think you’re totally bomb diggity, we’re about to uplevel the shiz out of your business.
KEY TOPICS
Referrals, Budget, Social Media, Networking, Relationships, Industry Standard
