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Preferred Professionals

Hi all, do any of you use a form or CD or ?? for having and making a preferred professionals list to give to your clients. I am asked all the time for referrals of professionals from bookkeepers to web designers. Now if you make up this list do you charge the professionals to be on it, do you limit it to one or do you put more than one of each type or trade. Thanx.

Posted by Charles (Chuck) Crooker on 10/15/2008 09:16 PM

Comments (8)

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8 Comments on Preferred Professionals

OCT

2008

Chuck, I do have a referral directory. It's a one-sided 8 1/2 x 11 sheet that I include in my presentation package. I only include professionals related to real estate needs like insurance agents, carpet cleaners, interior decorators to lawn maintenance. I list as many companies per category that I feel good about referring. I don't charge them anything but I ask my clients to tell them from whom the referral came so that the professional will think of me when someone mentions real estate to them. after all, I think of it as an added value to my clients not a way to make some additional income.

Likewise. I have a list that I share with clients and colleagues of real-estate related vendors and contractors -- more than one per specialty.

I have an easy answer to this one if you're in a reasonably-sized metro area in the US. I have been a subscriber to Angie's List for a few years now. It's a fabulous referral source for all types of vendors, contractors and professionals -- including RE agents. At closing, I purchase a one-year subscription for clients -- about $35 -- and that provides them access to all types of vendors. The vendors are rated by people who use them -- academic-type grades such as "A" or "F" -- and the site offers a mediation service if the vendors don't perform. It's a great website -- angieslist.com -- and clients love it. It's actually been a much better resource for vendors and contractors for use in my business than those recommended by colleagues. I can choose the contractors who have the highest ratings from the most numbers of users. And if you have a great contractor, you can submit them to the list and they'll be appreciative of a new referral source. It's not in Canada yet but they've been in business for over 10 years so it would be a great suggestion to them to branch out.

OCT

2008

I have a list but in order to get on it, one of two things has to happen:

I must personally have used you at least three times, and been happy with your product, prices, and service, or
I must have received at least 10 referrals from people who have used you, and been happy with your product, prices, and service.

I use Russel's list because he and I have the same requirements although I have to admit that I developed those requirements courtesy of Russel.

I am being coached my Brian Buffini and company and they have a great online directory and printed directory that you can create if you are a member with them....or you can try and come up with something yourself to hand out to your clients ("Chuck's Business Directory"). Just keep it simple...my thought, by not charging, you will be thanked by referrals coming to you...as you help promote these businesses. You could have someone in the end being a lousy contractor, but they have paid you big $$$ to be part of your directory, but they have become, well...lousy, and you just don't want to have "those complications" to deal with!! I would go with someone who my clients or professionals have used and then check them out and their references. Finally, after sorting through who you want to put in your directory, include these professionals with a *notation (ie. I believe these professionals to be reputable, but please do you own due diligence prior to using them). In summary, these professionals end up being your own referral network as well, who you do not have to "subscribe" to each year (and an outside network that you subscribe to will not likely refer to you). I hope you find this helpful. By the way...I will keep you posted in how it goes in putting my directory together. You can also see how it looks in the end by checking in to my site (www.yorkregion4sale.com) later in November (I hope I will have it set up and running by then!!) I am going to use this Business Directory as one of my gifts when I stop by and visit my past clients (and the professionals in the directory) prior to Christmas and the holidays. It's a great life!

Hi Chuck,

I just realised that I was not signed in when I left the above feedback!!....I see it went through anyways.

John

OCT

2008

Hey Chuck

I have put together a standard "Closing Arrangment" form that goes out the door with every potential prospect I work with. (I do believe you have received some business via this info provided by me!) It gives a list of 3, inspectors, lawyers, mortgage brokerages, & insurance companies with a disclaimer on the bottom.

Trevor

Yes Trevor and thanx, missed you yesterday, so tell everyone here abut the new office location.

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