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Good Referral, Bad Referral or Great Referrals?

I see a lot on AR about referrals that turn out to not really be referrals. Is anyone really surprised? Think about it. When you refer someone you are placing your credibility in someone else's hands. Your credibility is now at risk.

Personally speaking, I have to have the utmost assurance that my credibility is going to be returned to me intact before I am willing to put it at risk. I do enough stupid things all by myself, so there is no need to enlist aid, from someone that I do not have complete confidence in, to do more harm.

Relationships need time to develop in order for trust to solidify. If the person referring you has not crossed this line of trust chances are the referral will not live up to your expectations. AR is a great place to introduce yourself and be introduced to others and begin building relationships. It requires a little more than a great blog, some quick comments and on line time to generate a good referral.

My question is: What are you doing outside the cyber world to move your relationships into the wide world of great referrals?

Posted by Neal Frazier on 02/05/2008 01:05 PM

Comments (5)

Post is included in group: More Referrals! Client Referral Strategies
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5 Comments on Good Referral, Bad Referral or Great Referrals?

Ask, Ask, Ask I ask if you know someone who is interested in buying or selling do you have an agent you would refer? If the answer is no, it usually is, I ask if it would be alright if we took some time to develop a relationship and get to know each other so that I would be that Realtor. I ask for the opportunity to get to know the person, so that they can feel comfortable with me as much as so I can make a decision if I want to work with that person.

02/05/2008 02:09 PM

by Lynchburg, Roanoke & Danville Area Nannette Saunders ASSOCIATE BROKER (Bradner, Farmer, Towler and Associates)

That's the best part of BNI. You meet everyweek and you have plenty of time to develop those relationships. The other members get to see you on good days as well as bad. Of course, if you don't live up to your word, the group will certainly know quickly and you'll have a hard time gaining other referrals.

02/05/2008 10:34 PM

by Kevin McLaughlin (Terminix)

Neal,

Whenever I do any referral I always make sure I explain the source and my knowledge of that referral.

I have had a few turn out not as planned, yet I always followed up to make sure I understood why in an effort not to have a repeat of that type of deal.

And I agree, we have to ask at every opportunity.....a few years back, I overheard a person talking about California and moving there in the near future.....I got into the conversation talking about the wine country.....I did get the opportunity to refer, yet this was pre-Active Rain days where I I know I would-have succeeded.

02/06/2008 05:49 AM

by Dan Brudnok - Realtor, e-PRO, ABR, CSP - Chester County RE Professional (Keller Williams - Exton - PA License Number #RS225179L )

Great question Neal! Personally, one-to-one's have been the absolutely most effective source for building my referral relationships & I learned the concept through BNI. Active Rain (aka Cyber World) is great for setting appointments! THEN - using the one-to-ones are key... Your posts are great - keep it up!

02/08/2008 08:55 PM

by Josh Perrington (1st Metropolitan Mortgage)

It's been a while since you first joined the AR community. I look forward to networking with you in the near future. Best of luck and see you around.

05/27/2008 07:52 PM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

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