Comments on: Why Do People Refer? http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/ Small business marketing blog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:03:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Michelle http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-27810 Michelle Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:07:23 +0000 #comment-27810 How often does asking for referrals have negative effects? Is there a sitution where asking for a referral could hurt your business more than it helps? How often does asking for referrals have negative effects? Is there a sitution where asking for a referral could hurt your business more than it helps?

]]> By: Can Your Audience Tell You What You Do? - Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com - (formerly Healthy WebDesign) http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-25462 Can Your Audience Tell You What You Do? - Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com - (formerly Healthy WebDesign) Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:45:04 +0000 #comment-25462 [...] But what would your clients and customers say about your business? Is it clear what problems you can help them solve? Not just clear to you, but clear to them. And clear enough so they’d have no problem explaining what you do to someone else? [...] [...] But what would your clients and customers say about your business? Is it clear what problems you can help them solve? Not just clear to you, but clear to them. And clear enough so they’d have no problem explaining what you do to someone else? [...]

]]> By: Melvin Ram http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1716 Melvin Ram Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1716 Your recent podcast guest Seth Godin and his continually use of the word "remarkable" comes to mind. Our sales team is finding that if we ask a new customer for a "two phone call favor to open up the door" in other locations, they are literally going through their Rolodex and giving us 5+ (sometimes 15 or 20) referrals... and this is happening very consistently with most of our clients. And that's just right after the sale takes place. Our theory on why people want to refer us so avidly is that they find what we're offering so remarkable that they'll look like a hero for introducing us to their counterparts in other locations/companies. There is no financial reward for them... it's a referral with pure intentions. I believe you're right on the money that the emotional part of the equation is huge when figuring out how to get others to refer you. Afterall, they are not giving you a referral. They are giving you their name. As McDonald's says "I'm loving it". ~ mel Melvin Ram CEO, Volcanic Internet Marketing Direct: 916 743 9369 Email: melvin@volcanicmarketing.com Your recent podcast guest Seth Godin and his continually use of the word “remarkable” comes to mind.

Our sales team is finding that if we ask a new customer for a “two phone call favor to open up the door” in other locations, they are literally going through their Rolodex and giving us 5+ (sometimes 15 or 20) referrals… and this is happening very consistently with most of our clients. And that’s just right after the sale takes place.

Our theory on why people want to refer us so avidly is that they find what we’re offering so remarkable that they’ll look like a hero for introducing us to their counterparts in other locations/companies. There is no financial reward for them… it’s a referral with pure intentions.

I believe you’re right on the money that the emotional part of the equation is huge when figuring out how to get others to refer you. Afterall, they are not giving you a referral. They are giving you their name.

As McDonald’s says “I’m loving it”.

~ mel

Melvin Ram
CEO, Volcanic Internet Marketing
Direct: 916 743 9369
Email: melvin@volcanicmarketing.com

]]> By: Ramon Ray http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1717 Ramon Ray Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1717 Why? Hi John, you're so right - I have never first referred someone for money - it's always been because I want to bring two people or businesses together. Sure, at times there's referral money but that comes second. Why? I never to "BAD" refers. Ramon - http://www.smallbiztechnology.com Why?

Hi John, you’re so right – I have never first referred someone for money – it’s always been because I want to bring two people or businesses together. Sure, at times there’s referral money but that comes second. Why? I never to “BAD” refers.

Ramon – http://www.smallbiztechnology.com

]]> By: Scott Townsend http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1718 Scott Townsend Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1718 Referrals seem such a mystery to some. But you are right, and it is so easy to do. Get people in the positionto want to refer your business by helping them feel good about you and what you do Referrals seem such a mystery to some. But you are right, and it is so easy to do. Get people in the positionto want to refer your business by helping them feel good about you and what you do

]]> By: Nic Darling http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1720 Nic Darling Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1720 This reminds me of the feeling I get when I bring a friend to a great restaurant or art gallery I have discovered. Even though I am not making the food or creating the artwork, I feel I have been a part of the pleasure they provide my friend. When someone refers your product they not only bring you a potential new customer, they also invest themselves further in the brand. It also seems that taking the time to personally thank your referrers for their role in your business will further solidify that investment and result in even more referrals. Customers are the best salespeople. Nic - www.marketingneophyte.com This reminds me of the feeling I get when I bring a friend to a great restaurant or art gallery I have discovered. Even though I am not making the food or creating the artwork, I feel I have been a part of the pleasure they provide my friend. When someone refers your product they not only bring you a potential new customer, they also invest themselves further in the brand.

It also seems that taking the time to personally thank your referrers for their role in your business will further solidify that investment and result in even more referrals. Customers are the best salespeople.

Nic – http://www.marketingneophyte.com

]]> By: Jen Travis http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 Jen Travis Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1722 This is a great example of one of the benefits of a strong brand: word of mouth. The intellectual and emotional connection a customer has with your business/product/whatever is essentially the core of your brand. Identifying that connection is the process of branding. Communicating that promise is marketing and living that promise is integrated branding. Some of those that come to mind as having done it well are Apple, Trader Joes and Target. Any others you refer people to? This is a great example of one of the benefits of a strong brand: word of mouth. The intellectual and emotional connection a customer has with your business/product/whatever is essentially the core of your brand. Identifying that connection is the process of branding. Communicating that promise is marketing and living that promise is integrated branding. Some of those that come to mind as having done it well are Apple, Trader Joes and Target. Any others you refer people to?

]]> By: John DeCesaro http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2007/05/28/why-do-people-refer/comment-page-1/#comment-1725 John DeCesaro Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-1725 This goes right to the heart of why so many businesses fail. They don't make the investment in their brand, and in turn, create something worth referring. Branding helps shape word-of-mouth advertising by creating the message to communicate. If done authentically, your brand is an extension of what makes you worth talking about. John and Jen get it. Unfortunately, too many people think that strong WOM and referrals are things that just happen. This goes right to the heart of why so many businesses fail. They don’t make the investment in their brand, and in turn, create something worth referring. Branding helps shape word-of-mouth advertising by creating the message to communicate. If done authentically, your brand is an extension of what makes you worth talking about.

John and Jen get it.

Unfortunately, too many people think that strong WOM and referrals are things that just happen.

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