Small Business Forum - View Single Post - Ideas on rewarding existing clients for referrals

Magic4u02 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 08:41 PM

I call this a Referral Rewards Program. I do this with both my side businesses and it has worked incredibly well in getting clients and even prospects WANTING to refer business my way.

One of the main points I can make that most people often forget about a referral rewards program is this:

ALWAYS REWARD FOLKS EVEN IF THE REFERRAL THEY GIVE TO YOU DOES NOT LAND IN ANY SALE OR DIRECT SERVICE TO YOU!!

Reward them any ways. The idea is that if you reward them, they will want to refer more work to you. It encourages them to want to be an agent for you and to send referrals your direction.

Now referral rward gifts do NOT have to break your bank at all. Infact 2 simple ideas have worked great for me for any service or business. I will share these with you.

1) Gas cards: It may sound weird to you, but with the price of gas going up these days, anyone and everyuone can appreciate receiving a gas card in the mail and they will use it.

2) Gift cards to a store or food place of their choosing.

Now when I do the second, I always send out an e-mail or letter simply stating that I appreciate their referral and I would like to reward them and say thank you by giving them a simply gift. I ask them what store or food place is their favorite and that I will be sending their gift out in the next few days.

The gifts work great because the prospect or referral person is thinking of you in seberal key moments:

1) When they receive the e-mail or letter.
2) When they receive your gift in the mail
3) when they go out and use your gift

These are 3 critical moments when they will remember you and your generosity towards them. This will encourage them to want to refer more to you.

IT WORKS!!!!

Kyle