Do You Really Know How to Give A Good Referral?

How many referrals did you give out in the last 30 days? I give out anywhere from 20-40 referrals every month. Sometimes it's just to connect two people who should know each other, sometimes it's for direct business exchange, either way it sure does feel good to do it.

Yes, I know you want to get referrals...but if you give them, you will get them in return. Maybe not by the same people, sometimes referrals are only workable one-way, but that doesn't matter...if you give enough, you will gain them back.

You want to take the time to do this, you know why? It comes back to you threefold or more. It's easy to do, follow these "8 Simple Steps to Giving Good Referrals":

1. Carry a card file book with you at all times.

It should have at least 3 business cards of everyone you know, like and would recommend their services. (you will look like a really important person and a valuable resource)

2. When someone brings up a topic in a discussion that has to do with a specific industry you have a referral for, give out their card and write your name on the back, so they remember who gave it to them.

That way, when they contact the referral, they will remember to reference that you suggested they call (hence, you score points with that person too). Always be thinking about how you can help the other person. Not everyone is a prospect for you and your business so you might as well try to help other people out by connecting them to someone they can do business with.

3. If you don't have your card file book on you then take that person's card and write on the back who you were going to connect them with, make notes.

Then follow up with them and the referral the same day! (or within 24 hours tops) If you wait a week, the power of your referral and your connections isn't as greatly received; it's still good, just not as impressive.

4. Ask questions of people you come in contact with and if they are looking to buy any products or services any time soon.

Normally this comes up in conversation and you just need to dig a little deeper into the conversation instead of just nodding and moving on. They may refer to something that you have a contact for and you can make a connection for them.

5. Actively seek out people to refer to.

For example, you meet a pool service owner at a networking event one day. You call your friends with pools the next day and ask if they have a pool company that they are happy with or if they would like for the one you know to give them a call. Then you call the person you met the other day and tell him/her you may have a lead for them and you give them your friend's number. Even if your friend doesn't hire that pool company you have still given the pool company a valid referral.

6. Send out a letter to your current contacts.

Tell them about something new in your business, but then add in a comment or testimonial about another one of your contacts and mention how you would refer them if someone were to need that product or service.

7. Mail something of interest in a newspaper to someone else.

Keep your eyes out and if you see something that might be of interest say in the newspaper to someone else, cut it out and mail it to them.

8. Finally, follow up with both parties to make sure they connected.

Make sure the person you referred is worthy of that referral and contacts the person within 24 hours as well - this is important, if they don't, they may not be worthy of your referral. Therefore, you may need to build another base of people in that industry.

These are things I do and I find that people greatly appreciate them. They are often shocked by the speed at which I get things done too. I know that by doing this for others it has brought me business, it may not be as trackable, but that's ok.

I can't express how important this is to any business. After doing this for a few years it will really pay off and soon you will be working "by referral only". Then you won't need to spend all that money on those darn yellow pages!