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Get Those Referrals in Six Steps

By: Vlad Ehrsam

Referrals are a great way to increase traffic for your business. Referrals are free and can get you an extra edge over your competition. Generating leads and referrals for your business is one of the key ingredients to success. Learning how to take advantage of this free marketing tool is easier than you think.

Networking

Referrals can come from a number of sources with some costing some serious money and others being essentially free. There are networking groups such as eNetwork Business Partners or the Chamber of Commerce that are great places to meet other business owners who are happy to help you market your goods or services so long as you are willing to do the same for them. A business conversation can easily morph into a marketing opportunity. Some of these networking groups can be quite expensive but they require little of your time and a large potential for referrals.

Trade Shows

Setting up a professional and eye catching booth at a trade show is a great way to drum up new business and referrals. A booth near the entrance is much more desirable than one at the back of the room since it will generate more foot traffic. You should also have a professional banner that clearly displays your company name, logo, website, and phone number. Another way to get people interested in your booth is to offer a raffle. This will give you a chance to explain your product or services and get people interested.

Family and Friends

Lacking customer service skills can hurt the number of referrals you receive. If you know your product or service well, and you love to talk, you can turn any conversation into a marketing tool. Family members and friends generate more referrals than you could imagine. Educating the right person about your business, who simply discusses your venture with people and passes out your business card, can also be a great way to generate referrals.

Marketing Articles

Inexpensive ways to obtain referrals are everywhere. Look at online publications, ezines, and newsletters, which have a similar interest but not exactly like your own venture. Send out creative articles that interest the target market for publication. Make sure you include hidden links to your URL, products, or services within the content of your articles. Soon ... a large percent of the readers will come to your website.

Join Affiliate Programs

Affiliate programs are vital to success on the Internet. Affiliate programs help you to get the exciting news and services your business provides out there on the Internet. A banner or link will appear on an affiliate's website when they sign up for your program. Advertising in this manner is extremely cost effective and brings your business to a larger market.

The Importance of Marketing Material

Marketing material is key in not only getting your name out there but helping to ensure people remember it. You can turn any casual conversation into a potential referral. When meeting with business professionals always ask for their business cards and offer yours. Your business card should be simple and professional, try and avoid too much clutter.

Several weeks after your meeting be sure to send a thank you card and brochure or discount card. This will let people know you've enjoyed meeting them and look for to doing business with them in the future. Also let them know that family, friends, and colleagues are invited to take advantage of any savings you have passed on to them. Done correctly you can end up with hundreds of referrals from just one conversation.

Expensive or not, referrals can be obtained by being a little creative and knowing other business professionals. A hermit, who sits behind a computer all day and does nothing to socialize, has less of a chance to succeed at receiving referrals; while energetic professionals can have flocks eating out of their palm. In the end, use the tools available to you and reap the benefits.

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

Vlad Ehrsam runs a very interesting website at Full Info on Business, it's one of the webs most up to date Business sites, while you're there sign up for the free newsletter.
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