Ask for Referrals: And Get the Answer You Want!

Why are people scared to ask for a referral? Is it the fear of rejection, or do they think that it will annoy their client. If you have been giving 100% to your client and have given them truly excellent service then you shouldn't be ashamed to ask for the opportunity to give that same superior service to other people your clents know. In fact, it seems like the next logical step especially if the client is happy with your service so far.

"It's not what you say but how you say it" I tell my kids that all the time. Here is no different. I have seen countless people not get a referral because they simply asked the wrong question. You want to aviod asking a close ended question where the only answer is "Yes" or "No". For example, instead of starting your question "Do you know anyone who..." start it off with "Who do you know who..." Just the little change at the begining will have a dramatic increase in your referral rate.

You can also start off specific to get a better result for example "Who do you know at work who..." By inserting a place or situation you narrow the possibilties and the task does not seem as daunting to your client.

It's also very important to expect the referral. If your body language, tone of voice and facial expressions show that you are not expecting them to give you one then your proably not going to get it. I have had sales people ask me "You don't know anyone who would like "product" do you?" My quick answer even before I think about it is always "No". You should expect the referral as part of your excellent business. It's the most natural thing in the world for people to tell everyone about something they like. Why not tell them about you.

Some people are a little shy about it and in the back of there mind they are testing you. They will tell you that they are thinking about it. That is alway ok. Just set up a time for you to follow up with them and Keep the appointment, even a little phone call can go a long way. A lot of times by the end of your meeting they will think of someone anyways. If you tell them that this is the business model that you do they will be glad to help you. You can increase your business dramatically with help from your friends.

One of the easiest ways to ask for a referral is in your signature file on all the email you send out, especially in correspondence with your clients. After your contact information you have a mini billboard advertising for you. Doing the simple thing of asking for a referral can easily double you business in a very short time. Start asking today you will be glad you did.

Mical Johnson is the publisher of Home Based Business Success Toolkit which is a free newsletter dedicated to giving home based business owner's what they need to succeed and make a profit from the start. To join visit http://www.MyHomebasedBusiness101.com

---

Five Best Ways To Build A Network

I have been working from home on the internet for over 3 years now. 18 months of that was spent trying out various different programs trying to find things that would work for... Read More

Who Are You and What The Heck Do You Do?

A few years ago, I was attending a family function when I ran into a cousin of mine. Having not seen her in more than three years, she told me that her son... Read More

A New LinkedIn Discussion Forum for High Power Dealmakers

For those of you interested in international business transactions or the business networking organization, LinkedIn, a new Yahoo groups discussion forum has been created. Several Yahoo discussion groups already exist on the uses... Read More

Network Marketing

Network marketing is the ordinary person's best opportunity to make extraordinary income. Well known author, Robert Kiyosaki, says that most ethical network marketing businesses are like business schools. They teach people the power... Read More

10 Effective Ways to Remember Names

Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten." Feelings of embarrassment and social ineptitude are conveyed through this forgetfulness, and unfortunately, the problem... Read More

Good Manners Mean Good Business

Good manners, good networking and good business all have the same thing in common. What they have in common is "you!" You are the secret weapon that everyone is looking for to help... Read More

People Know People

I recently entered the keyword "networking" into Google. In 0.13 seconds, it returned 21,600,000 entries. Amazing! What's even more amazing was when I entered the same search ten minutes later 200,000 additional entries... Read More

When Gifts Say More

What's a gift mean? If you're like me, you probably focus on the giving and the getting.But, have you thought of gifts as a medium, a channel, for communication? In a book called... Read More

Lesson 15 - Meeting the Prince with More Reputation than Power

The StoryBusiness has a habit of testing us as individuals and as entrepreneurs. Several years ago I retained my first entertainment agent to represent my business and me. This was at a time... Read More

Planting the Seeds of Greatness - Make it Great Newsletter #7

Thought of the WeekThis week, I'd like to challenge you to try something: Give something to someone that you know can never repay the favor. This could be something simple like opening the... Read More

Increasing the ROI on Your Networking

Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here are four ways to be sure your return on that investment is worthwhile.Decide what you wantWhy are your attending networking events? Are you... Read More

Power Networking: Getting Your Name Out There!

Today's economy presents some very special challenges to people who are unemployed, underemployed, or who are simply trying to give their own business venture a shot in the arm. At times, the job... Read More

Make Money on the Internet - The Lifestyle Advantages of Professional Marketers

Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started in a box room, bedroom or garage. It isn't how you start out to make money at home that is important. What really... Read More

You MUST Be Visible

Have you ever noticed how visible large corporations are? Take Coca-Cola?, Nike? and McDonalds?. They are everywhere. Just ask anyone what comes to mind when he/she hears the words soft drink, running shoes... Read More

Online Business Networking: How Personal is Too Personal?

Online networking has opened up some fantastic business opportunities for solo entrepreneurs. You can open an account with one of the major online business networks such as Ryze, and get to know industrious... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position in the group?Have you heard the saying that "the fastest way to get anything done is to ask a busy person"? It is... Read More

How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success

There are people who are natural born networkers - those people that can make conversation in any situation and have no problem walking up to complete strangers. This article is for the rest... Read More

Five Stumbling Blocks To Successful Networking And How To Overcome Them

The ability to connect with people is essential to success in any business. Professional networking events present opportunities to interact with others on a personal level and to develop profitable relationships. These occasions... Read More

Success Sentences to Help Combat Conversational Crappiness

Essential to your success as an effective, engaging communicator is learning not only what to say, but what not to say. The following guide examines several sentences, phrases and questions that stand in... Read More

Marketing Essentials: The 15 Second Elevator Speech

You're at a conference. Someone steps in the elevator, notices your name tag and asks, "So what do you guys do?" Quick -- what's your answer? You've got about 15 seconds before the... Read More

Why Bother With Social Networking Sites Like LinkedIn?

Q: I think I understand the value of networking as well as the next businessman, but for the life of me, I don't really see what sites like LinkedIn, Ryze and Ecademy can... Read More

Time to Hire a Professional Networker?

It used to be that people said that there was 6 degrees of separation between everyone. Many people know that Kevin Bacon game that people play to prove it. They name a film... Read More

Land the Ideal Job Using Social Networks

With at least 60% of job-seekers finding employment through networking, it's no wonder that people are turning to their colleagues and acquaintances for advice and help in finding employment. The old adage, "It's... Read More

Are You in the Relationship Business?

Are you in the relationship business? Of course you are. Everyone who has to work with, deal with, sell to, convince, is! Unless you're on a deserted island, you must connect with, interact,... Read More

Communication Is A 2-Way Street (The Networking Factor)

The Personal Touch 1There is a simple art to networking and the good news is, should you choose to put forth a conscience effort to improve the way you communicate, networking can and... Read More

Mother Said - Wash Your Hands

Think health articles are boring? This one isn't, so read on - it may save your life...Physicians and public health officials agree that the single most important role you can play in your... Read More

Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?

When you look at your friends, it's like looking into a mirror. Take the sum of characteristics of the five people you spend most of your time with and you will be the... Read More

A Vital Habit For Selling Big Ticket Items

I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity! What could this habit be that will help you sell Big Ticket Items?It has nothing to do with copywriting or creating beautiful web... Read More

How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid

June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have been made and most are already broken. It's time to take a hard look at where you are going in 05 and beyond.... Read More