It takes a lot of time and energy to build a business from the ground up, especially if you do it on your own, this is why it helps to have a good referral network. It will not be you against the world if you think of some ways to create a network of people that you would refer business to and who, in return, will refer business to you.

To build a great referral network takes some work in getting people you know well already to understand what you have to offer as far as products and services, then they can refer others to you. Once you have a good network there will be no more cold sales calls because a network will refer people to you. Once you have educated those around you, your clients, colleagues and people that you meet at various sales conferences. When these people know enough about your product then they will be able to direct others towards you.

As you start building a network, you may want to decide what you could offer as an incentive for people to refer friends and family to you. To start with, you could offer new people in your netword a small referral fee for new individuals sent your way. What motivates many sales people is the commission check that they receive at the end of the month, offering a referral fee will motivate people to refer more business onto you. A powerful referral network will do almost all of your marketing for you.

Don’t be scared to ask. If a customer is really happy with your service, they are going to be pleased to assist you with referrals. If there is a referral fee or type of incentive at the end of it, then they will be even more willing to assist you. If you want to increase your business and create a powerful network then you must be proactive. Try to not waste time by waiting for people to send business your way, just ask directly for referrals, most people will happy to help out, especially when that help is reciprocated.

If you are not comfortable in asking for referrals, try something that I do, write out what you want to say and then practice saying it into a mirror until you are comfortable with it. When people see that you are comfortable in asking for their help then they are often more than willing to give it and this is a good way of building up a powerful referral network.

If a client compliments you on your product or service then this is the time to ask them if there is anyone else they know who would benefit from what you have to offer. They will probably be more than happy to refer someone to you when they know that your product or service is what they are looking for. If you stick with it in this way, you will quickly have a powerful referral network that will increase your sales exponentially.

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Filed under: Marketing and Advertising

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