Barriers to Getting referrals in business and how to overcome them
It is super true how much impart social media, online advertisement, billboards and other forms of promotion can have on your business profit. Many a time it seems to be the only way businesses and entrepreneurs reach their customer with. Maybe because it’s so popular or maybe because it’s the norm that every digital consultant talk about.
Have you thought of using referrals to supercharge your business? When used correctly, the effect can be unbelievable as well as more rewarding especially if you offer business to business services. In this article you will learn how to overcome the fear of referrals as well as how to go about cashing in on referrals.
It’s quick, it’s fast, It’s referrals
A lot of new businesses and entrepreneurs find it so difficult to ask their customers for referrals for so many reasons. These reasons have created a barrier between them and would be client. Here are four main barriers that may be stopping you from asking for referrals.
Fear you have not provided enough value yet to ask for more.
This is most common with new businesses, those who are just starting and have only couple of portfolios to their belts. They have this feeling they need to provide huge number of value before saying they are good at what they do. The truth remains that you are among the only few persons in this world who have the guts to start a business and that made you very special. Start asking for referrals irrespective of how many jobs you have done.
Fear you will hurt the relationship you are asking referrals from.
This is mostly common with female CEOS, you are so careful not to ask because you feel you might be asking too much of a client who has already spent so much patronizing your service. The fact remains, your main duty as a CEO is to offer value the best and most efficient way you can. What people think shouldn’t bother you too much. When you know you can offer such effective value to another customer just like you have offered to the first, go ahead and ask for referrals.
Fear you will look unprofessional or needy since your customers already sees you as the boss
There is this feeling of corporate loneliness that comes with been a CEO. While you are think you need more customers to stay afloat, your customer see you as someone who has got everything covered.
Leaving you comfort zone, stepping down from your high horse and telling your customers to refer their friends and family you think make you seem beggarly. Get this clear, asking for referrals doesn’t make you needy, the family and friends of your clients are potential clients. So it’s only for your own good you go after them and cease the opportunities that comes from such relationship.
Fear of not knowing how to get out of the conversation once you have started it.
This is the part a lot of persons cannot take. “REJECTION”. Lots of businesses and customers you will want to get referrals from are going to sound negative, some even give an outright NO the first time you ask them.
This doesn’t mean you should quit, it means you should find out what’s missing in the value you are creating for your customers. Should they get enough value they will be so glad to refer their family and friends to you.
Having looked at some of the barriers let’s look at some ways we can actually get referrals.
- Follow you own methods.
You must have read books on how to get referrals on steps you should take to get more referrals for your business.
The truth is you don’t have to follow any of those rules. Just follow what works for you and your business only.
- Collect Testimonials
Use powerful testimonials to generate more referrals. Bellow are few ways you can use customer testimonials to boost your business.
1.help them write testimonials
2. Use photos as much as possible
3. Use audio and video testimonials
4. Make them as specific as possible
5. Put them on your website
6. Use the actual letter
- Send other people referrals
You want to get referrals, give other people referrals. You want to deal with people who already get referrals you don’t want to spend a lot of time and money educating them on why referrals are a great deal.
I will expand more on all this in subsequent articles.
Do leave a clap and share if you learnt a thing or two .
Thank you!!!!
