The Secret Double Whammy Referral Engine for Service Based Businesses
Episode 316: Show Notes
Ready for our drop-the-mic statement? Service-based peeps listen up: You already know your next client, and guess where she is not? Online. In this episode we are sharing with you the secret double whammy referral engine that service-based owners can use right now, today, to get booked out within thirty days. This exact method can be used to get a constant stream of referrals who pay quickly and who are a dream to serve.
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Today we are unwrapping the secrets of a super effective referral engine for service-based businesses and we’re coming at it from two, no three, different angles, starting with that first important connection and going onto how existing clients can be leveraged to gain even more quality leads. But before you think you’ve heard it all before, we are not giving you the same old tips and tricks, we’re dishing out hot off the press information, things that very few people have heard of. If you have ever worried about where your next client is going to come from, grab a notebook and a yummy cup of something, because this episode is going to knock your socks off!
Getting That Initial Connection
What do you do when you really need to grow your client roster, because, let’s face it, you need cash pronto! Firstly, it’s crucial to talk to the right people. You could start by identifying community members who are in close proximity to you and who are successfully doing what you want to be doing, businesses that are offering what you’d like to offer. This needs to be people you can drive to, today, and have a conversation with – so no online connections here. A great place to start is by asking close friends and family whether they know of anyone who is in the same line of work and who might be of help to you in getting your own thing started. This person might have too much work and are happy to pass some of it along to you, that is, if they have a quality recommendation from someone they trust. The good news is this could all happen overnight!
How A Referral Program Could Work
You can then go ahead and create a referral program with this person or business. You might take on some of their clients and pay a percentage commission on the initial project they delegate to you. If the client were to give you more work after that, they would be considered yours and no more commission would have to be paid. You could also initiate a cap system for big projects so that there is a limit to the commission you need to pay. It typically happens like this: Both existing and new clients would call your connection and they can check with you whether you have the capacity to take on the project. After going over the details, you are in full right to either accept or reject the work, depending on your schedule.
The Importance Of Contacting The Client ASAP
If you do have the time to take on the project, we would strongly advise you to contact the client as soon as possible, and we don’t mean sending out an email. Why not make a phone call and find out as much as possible about the client and their needs, and then proceed to setting up a sales meeting? Of course you don’t call it that, you can just say, “Hey, let’s grab a coffee to talk over what you have in mind”, for example. What would really make you stand out is if you rocked up for the meeting having already put together a proposal.
Leveraging Local Businesses To Get Clients
Another way of growing your clientele very quickly is by approaching local businesses, such as a marketing agency if you are a designer. Often these businesses want to take on more work than they have capacity for, but because it is inconsistent, they can’t afford a full time person. This is where you become a super attractive prospect to them. They can contract you to take on some of the projects while still making money from it. They might not need you to interact with the client at all, they just need you to do the work. So if you get connected with a couple of agencies in your area, you can have a full-time job in less than thirty days. What’s more, you still get to be in control of your own schedule, your income and be your own boss. This is a win-win scenario for both parties.
A Referral System For Photographers
The referral system for the photographer folk is a bit different, but still bomb! You start by identifying one dream client; someone who was easy to work with, did everything you asked of them, shared your sneak preview on social media and gushed extensively about you. This is all about finding the person who has taken an appreciation in you personally, who clicks with you and who you know will only have the best to say about you. You then begin to shape this person into your VIP referral monster! You reach out to them after six months or a year or so, telling them how you’d love to work with more people like them and asking whether they know of some people who would also appreciate this type of experience. Essentially you want to ask them for five to eight referrals and give them something amazing in return. If they get you into contact with five people and one of them signs up for a session with you, you will give their next session to them for free, for example. What you’re doing is offering an incentivized referral system to that dreamy client by rewarding them for bringing new clients to you.
Joining Our Community Of Designers, Copy writers And Photographers
Does all of this sound good to you? It gets better. Are you a photographer, designer or copy writer? We want to invite you to our exclusive Facebook group where you can interact with like-minded peeps. You have to apply to get in, so go to bossproject.com/booked to join this platform. It’s free to join, but we are quite specific on who we let in, so just answer a few questions and join this resourceful community!
Quote This
You only need one client to start the roller-coaster of continuing to get clients.
Highlights
Getting That Initial Connection. [0:05:08.1]
How A Referral Program Could Work. [0:11:12.1]
The Importance of Contacting The Client ASAP. [0:14:22.1]
Leveraging Local Businesses To Get Clients. [0:15:22.1]
A Referral System For Photographers. [0:22:30.1]
Joining Our Community Of Designers, Copy writers And Photographers. [0:03:16.1]
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
Service-based business, Growing clientele, Referrals, Dream client, Local businesses
