Marketing Monday: Asking for Referrals!

Intro by Skip Cohen

This is right out of the archives, but so perfect as business starts to ramp up with Spring seasonality. Every client you work with has the potential to help you build more business, providing their experience with you was memorable. It's all about quality, relationship building and making sure your skill set is always the best.

My good buddy Scott Bourne shared this short post many years ago, but in a world where consumers are bombarded with "noise," you've got a unique opportunity to utilize word of mouth advertising and asking for a referral is so often missed.

Loyal customers, they don't just come back, they don't simply recommend you,
they insist that their friends do business with you.
Chip Bell

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© iQoncept

by Scott Bourne

One of the most powerful methods working photographers can use to get new business is the referral. In these days of social networking, transparency, etc., people rely more and more on their friends' opinions when it comes to selecting a vendor.

How can you get referrals? Just ask. But it's HOW you ask that counts.

You can beg, plead, borrow or steal. That doesn't end up delivering the result you want.

You want enthusiastic referrals based on your performance. Words matter as does presentation. Accordingly, I submit one of the ways you might ask for referrals.

A sign, carefully positioned in your place of business, with the following words, or something similar will do the trick.

               "Our studio is both sustained and honored by your referral of family and friends. Thank you."

This approach is low-key and puts you in the best light for clients who would be inclined to refer others to you. Feel free to modify this as you see fit for your particular circumstances.

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