How to Turn Your Team Into a Referral-Generating Machine

Pop quiz time!

What makes the absolute best business lead imaginable?

How about someone who already has a positive impression of you and your business? Better yet – maybe someone whose friend or family member has already told them they’d be nuts not to call you and has pre-sold them on how wonderful you are.

Obviously, I’m describing a referral, and I don’t think it’s new news to you when I say that they’re a gold mine whatsapp.com/dl/herunterladen. No doubt about it – referrals are the easiest and most profitable type of lead to close.

Here’s the gut-check question…

How many referrals has your team closed this week?

Why You Don’t Get More Referrals

The thing is, that even everyone knows that referrals are the best type of lead, for some reason, only a small percentage of techs and salespeople actively ask for them.

Why is that? In my experience, there are several reasons…

The tech or salesperson gets caught up in the work and running the system and just forgets to ask.
Sometimes, it’s been a long, grueling job – and frankly, they get lazy herunterladen. So at the end of the call, they become transfixed with just being done and getting out of there.
Most often, though, techs and salespeople don’t ask for referrals because it makes them feel salesy or pushy. They’re worried asking will make them look sleazy.

Whatever the reason for not asking, it’s not a good reason. If you and your team aren’t actively seeking referrals, I guarantee you you’re leaving 6 or even 7 figures of revenue on the table every year.

Bam! That hurts to think about, right?

So let’s talk about how you can fix this ~~little~~ BIG problem spotify auf mac herunterladen.

More Than Just Cash for the Company

Referrals are treated by most people as some optional extra thing you may or may not bring up at the end of the call. The first thing you need to do is stop that casual attitude toward referrals dead in its tracks and make it clear to everyone on your team that referrals are a top priority every day and on every call.

But you can’t just pound your fist on the table and mandate it like a dictator. Well, you could, but it won’t be very effective. People look at mandates as “another chore” or another required task they have to go through the motions on.

You want your team to understand the ‘why’ behind referrals, buy into them, and even be passionate about seeking them out.

To effectively communicate the importance of referrals to your people, you need to communicate it properly and often herunterladen. In meetings, one-on-one, while you’re refilling your coffee in the breakroom… everywhere.

What’s the message you need to convey? Simple…

With referrals, EVERYONE wins!

Let’s break that down into 3 main categories and go through some talking points for each category.

Referrals are good for the company

Referrals are good for employees and their families

Referrals are good for the customer

The Fountain of Free Leads for Your Company

Where do your current leads come from?

You might answer, “people call in when they have a problem”, and that would be right. But how do they know to call your shop when they have a problem?

Advertising and marketing!

Phone books, web pages, directories, coupons, TV and radio ads, your trucks, billboards, signage… all that stuff you invest big bucks in to keep the phones ringing Download snipping tool for free.

Each and every lead or phone call comes with a price tag. Sometimes a hefty one. If you get the job, it’s all worthwhile. If you don’t, it’s like flushing money down the porcelain waste removal system.

(Total Immersion students laughed at that, I promise!)

Now, what does a referral cost?

Ah-ha! Nothing. Referrals are a fountain of free leads!

If you could average one referral per call, and close 50% of them – what would that add to your bottom line? I’m serious. I encourage you to do this math using your own numbers. You’ll kick yourself… and then afterward you’ll get very excited about referrals.

What if you could average two referrals per call? Or close more than 50%? If your mind isn’t spinning right now, it should be! We’re talking about a significant amount of extra business!

When explaining why referrals are good for everyone in the company, focus on these talking points…

Referrals are free leads for the company.
Referrals are easier to close since the customer is somewhat pre-sold.
The money saved on referral leads (and earned through them) can be used for other things: Comp, new trucks, etc.

The Power to Frame Their Own Destiny

Employees benefit from referrals, too – and they need to understand exactly how they benefit from asking for them on each and every call.

By the way, I have another question for you…

Who in your company should be actively pursuing referrals?

If you said, “every living, breathing person who works here”, you’re right!

It’s not just up to the techs and salespeople. All of your employees have friends, family, and neighbors. They all know someone whose plumbing eventually fails or whose furnace goes kaput. Get the whole staff in on referrals.

Consider offering a bonus program for non-selling team members who turn in referrals. You can give them a small bonus for a referral, and then another bonus if it sells. Structure it any way you want, but whatever you do, make sure your entire staff gets in on referring customers.

Here are some talking points for explaining how referrals benefit employees and their families…

Referrals keep techs and salespeople working even when the phones aren’t busy.
Referrals give your team more (and better) opportunities to significantly boost their income.
When techs and salespeople have extra calls to run, the support staff also has to work. (More, steady hours)
More opportunities as a result of referrals equals more job security for everyone.

Seeking out referrals allows your team to directly affect their own hours, job security, and income.

Let’s Not Forget the Customers

Referrals are even good for your customers.

The customer who gives you a referral is not only re-confirming their own decision to do business with you by referring you to a friend, but they’re also helping out a friend in need.

When they say, “You should talk to this company”, they’re relieving the stress and worry their friend has over choosing the right contractor to help them with their current problem.

If you go about the referral process the right way, it’s a true win-win-win situation for the company, all the employees, and the customers.

How to Start the Flow

Right about now, you’re probably thinking, “That’s great, Joe… but what is the right way to ask for referrals?”

Great question!

I’m going to share the simplest way with you right now, and then in my next article, I’ll give you 25 more creative ways to get all the red-hot referrals you can handle.

At the end of every successful call, train your people to say…

I really enjoyed working for you and your family today.

Is there anything about our service we could improve?

It’s always great to find great customers like you who appreciate the work we do. What advice would you give me to find more great customers like you?

If your techs and salespeople do that consistently at the end of every call, you’ll start to see your referral numbers rise over time. Also, if you’re not tracking referral numbers, start today!

And if you want to learn more about how to be an outstanding leader and coach who always gets peak performance from your team, take a look at our Performance Coach Training Program. You’ll learn how to motivate, inspire, and train your people like never before!