Build A Powerful Referral Network and They Will Come

As solo business owners, we sometimes feel like “Lone Rangers” on our own, trying to figure out ways to bring in more clients. A business owner’s survival and growth depends largely on bringing in new clients. Who wants to be alone on the range, single-handedly trying to figure out how to bring in clients and expand business? That takes tremendous energy, hard work and producing average results.

Instead of operating on your own, there are ways to creating a sales force of people happy to refer business to you. Think about how big companies increase their sales. They have large sales forces out there selling their products. The sales people are educated about the product, calling on prospects, and paid commissions based on the number of accounts they bring in. One of the differences between a big company and you is that YOU are the “one”. You are your sales force, that is, if you operate as a “Lone Ranger.”

An effective way of creating your sales force, is through your referral network. A referral network is a group of people who already know you, understand your business, and can refer people interested in buying your product or service. With a powerful referral network, an unlimited flow of quality prospects start coming to you quickly and effortlessly. You never have to cold-call again! This is the easiest and most effective way to establish an ongoing stream of warm leads.

Building a referral network begins with educating people you already know, your clients, colleagues, friends and people you meet. You want to clearly articulate what you do, who your ideal client is, how your product or service helps your clients, and what’s unique about working with you. Once these people are educated about your product, they become your own “sales force”. But just like any sales force, it helps to motivate them to sell by giving them something special as a thank you.

Consider offering a referral fee or a special gift to those people who refer business to you. People will be motivated to refer business to you, if they’re rewarded for it. I know, as a sales person, what motivated me the most to bring in those sales was the commission check I received at the end of the month. And, I still love receiving those checks. I’ve been referring business to a colleague, and I’m delighted when I receive a thank you note and check from him. It’s an incentive to think of other people who can benefit from his service.

By organizing a healthy referral network, you’re going to be able to rely on other people out in the world, all educated about the merits of your product or service, willing to become your marketing machine.

Here are six steps to follow that will help you set up a powerful referral network:

1. Change Your Mindset: Some people hesitate when it comes to asking for referral business. They have thoughts like “They won’t want to help me,” or “How do I even ask?” Before you project these fears, step back and consider. If a customer’s satisfied with you, they’re delighted to help you out. Also, people in your personal and professional circle who believe in you, want to help you grow.
2. Be Proactive: A satisfied customer is happy to help you but don’t expect them to offer. Rather than waiting for them to offer referrals, ask, because more than likely, they don’t think to offer. Occasionally, they may say to you “I told my friend about you.” It’s really great when that happens, but don’t rely on it. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to ask.
3. Write What You Want to Say: To help you gain confidence, write the words you want to say. Then practice saying it aloud until you’re comfortable with it. We all feel uncomfortable doing something new. It’s just like going to the health club and working out. You have to use that muscle over and over again in order to build strength. It’s the same thing with asking for referrals.
4. When to Ask a Client: The best time to ask a client for a referral is immediately after you’ve received a compliment, and/or once the sale is closed. Once your client utters the words, “I’m happy working with you. I really have enjoyed this.” That’s your cue to ask if there’s anyone else they know who would benefit in the same way from your services. Don’t wait for them to get back to you with the names because they probably won’t. Set up another time to follow up with them for the referrals’ names and phone numbers.
5. Referrals Fees: Establish a referral program whereby people receive a referral fee or special gift for the people they refer to you. Let your referral network know in advance what they can expect in return for their referrals. Create a referral program you can send to your referral network and post on your website. Giving referrals works both ways. If people refer business to you, tell them you will do the same for them.
6. Keep Track: Once the steady flow of referrals starts coming in, it’s time to start managing all these leads in an organized manner. There are several software programs designed to you help track your business and referrals. Outlook, ACT and Goldmine are several software programs to check out.

ASSIGNMENT:

• Write a clear and compelling message of what you do, who your ideal client is, how your product or service helps your clients, and what’s unique about working with you.
• Practice saying it aloud until you comfortable saying the words.
• Start calling the people in your personal and professional circle, educate them about what you do, and invite them to be part of your “Referral Network.”
• Ask a colleague or friend to role play being the client and practice “asking for a referral.”
• Create a “referral fee or special gift” program you can start offering to your clients, colleagues, friends, and people you meet.

© All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from Rochelle Togo-Figa, Professional Sales Coach, is prohibited.

If you would like to use this article on your website, or for your own ezine, not a problem; however, there’s one thing you MUST include: Rochelle Togo-Figa, The Sales Breakthrough Expert, is the creator of the Sales Breakthrough System™, a proven step-by-step sales process that will help you close more sales, sign on more clients and make more money with ease and velocity. To sign up for her free sales articles and teleclasses on closing more sales, visit www.SalesBreakthroughs.com.

Are You Creating a Wealth-Conscious Mentality?

Do you find yourself feeling worried or concerned at times with everything that’s going on? Unless you’re living on a remote island, it’s nearly impossible not to be somewhat affected by what’s going on in the world. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

This is when creating a positive mindset makes all the difference if you are to succeed in your business. When I speak about the mindset, I’m talking about the thoughts and beliefs you have about yourself as a business owner or entrepreneur. Now, more than ever, it’s important to create a positive mindset, and stop believing everything you’re hearing or reading.

In fact, I recommend you reduce the amount of time you watch TV or read a newspaper. Believe me, you won’t miss anything. The people around you will fill you in on what’s happening and that’s all you need to know.

I know it’s easy to get sucked into what they’re saying. It takes a conscious effort on your part to keep yourself focused and positive. It’s easy to blame others when things aren’t coming your way. But doing that increases the chances of attracting more of the same.

Did you know that more millionaires are created during difficult economic times than any other time? That’s right, even during a recession, millions of people continue to make money.
How do people make money during challenging economic times? They have created a wealth-conscious mentality for building wealth. Their thoughts and feelings match their actions, and that leads to results.

How can you create your own wealth-conscious mentality? It’s simple if you follow these 5 easy steps:

1. Focus on Creating More
   Focus on creating wealth instead of losing money. Remember the more you think you’re losing money, the more you will lose money. Think in terms of words such as “more, plenty of, and abundance.” For example, I am making more money, I have an abundance of clients, I am attracting more opportunities, and there is plenty more where that came from!
2. Choose Your Life
   When you choose your life just the way it is and the way it isn’t, you’re no longer resisting what you have. By letting go of the resistance, it unblocks your energy flow and allows new energy to come to you. During my illness, I chose to live and that gave me freedom and power to do something about it. I then got into action and designed a plan to heal myself. I found the right doctors, joined a support group, and surrounded myself with supportive and loving people. And, met and married the man of my dreams!
3. Take Responsibility
   Although we may say we know we’re responsible for our lives, we don’t always want to be accountable for taking responsibility. When you take responsibility for your actions, you give up any reasons, excuses, or justifications not to do something. As the well-know author, Brian Tracey, says, “The mark of excellent people is that they refuse to make excuses, blame others, or complain about their situations. Instead they say ‘I am responsible’ over and over again.”
4. Move Beyond Your Fears
   There are two types of fear. The first fear is a real fear. When someone is about to push you out of an airplane—now that’s real fear! The second fear is imagined fear. When you think something bad is going to happen that hasn’t happened yet. We all experience imagined fear from time to time in our lives—it’s part of being human. Fear of not being good enough, fear of failing, or fear of succeeding. These are not real fears although you may have the same bodily sensations as real fear. However, remember, fear can be an acronym for...False Evidence Appearing Real. What there is to do is notice the fear, distinguish it’s not a real fear and get into action!
5. Believe in Yourself
   When you believe in yourself, you have the power to move through any obstacle because at the core you believe in who you are. Nothing will stand in the way of you achieving what you want. You have created a solid foundation of who you are and feel secure within yourself. The key steps to believing in yourself start with loving who you are, accepting yourself and others just as they are, appreciating your accomplishments, and being grateful for all that you have in your life. Sound simple? Yes, it is and you’ll start seeing a change as soon as you start practicing the steps.

Assignment:

1. Write your own sentence for each of the words I mention…more, plenty of, and abundance. (For example: More sales are coming my way. There is plenty of money. I am attracting an abundance of clients.) Read this list daily. When you first get up in the morning and before you close your eyes at night.
2. If there’s someone or something in your life you’ve been resisting or putting up with, stop resisting and accept as is. Remember what you resist…persists. As you stop resisting and let go, start to notice what opens up for you.
3. Take an area of your life where you’ve been blaming or complaining about something, and change that by taking responsibility for it. (For example: My business is slow because of the economy. Change that to: I’m going to increase my networking and reach out to more people.)
4. Take on one thing in your life that you’ve been afraid to take on and do it today! You’ll see when you take action, the fear of doing it is much greater than after you take action.
5. Make a list of at least 10 areas of your life that you are grateful for. Then ask someone close to you to do the exercise too and share what you wrote with one another.

© All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from Rochelle Togo-Figa, Professional Sales Coach, is prohibited.

If you would like to use this article on your website, or for your own ezine, not a problem; however, there’s one thing you MUST include: Rochelle Togo-Figa, The Sales Breakthrough Expert, is the creator of the Sales Breakthrough System™, a proven step-by-step sales process that will help you close more sales, sign on more clients and make more money with ease and velocity. To sign up for her free sales articles and teleclasses on closing more sales, visit www.SalesBreakthroughs.com.