Where did your last client come from?
The Results...
Thanks to everyone who chimed in with your ‘where did my last client come from’ statistics. Although this is certainly not the most scientific analysis, I thought this sampling from those of you in the Rain, and from all over the country, was very interesting.
Roughly 140 of you gave me input based on my question to you from my blog post of 3/19/2009. Some of you gave me more than the last client, and some of you have had leads but no deals yet from the internet.
It was a challenge in a few cases to separate them out as:
- They know someone I know. (referral)
- It was through my marketing. (traditional marketing)
- They found me online. (internet)
After reading all of your comments several times, I simply tallied everything up, counted all of the transactions you mentioned and where they came from, and it made sense to me to break it down into four categories.
- Traditional: You got the client based on traditional farming, postcard mailings, flyers, signs, a newsletter, floor time, or a newspaper or magazine ad.
- Referral: Your client showed up because you were recommended by a former client, you worked with them before, or through someone who knew someone who knows you.
- Mixed: A blend of Traditional and/or Referral, yet the internet (and email marketing) played a role and couldn’t be separated out.
- Internet: They saw your listing online. Because of your internet presence they found their way to your website, blog or know you via Active Rain.
What I find interesting is: Referral 33%, and Internet 42%. Nearly half of your new deals came from the internet, and if you’ve been in business awhile, by referral.
I have a hunch though, that more and more referrals will be generated via the internet.
If we separate the internet related leads from the traditional, it’s about 50/50...
with the internet in a slight lead.
I’m working on a regional analysis of the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett area). I am not finished and my numbers still need some work, yet this sampling on AR is very close in comparison. Here in the Northwest it is looking more like Internet 65% and Traditional 35%. I’ll be sharing my report on this with you soon.
Conclusion: All and all, a compelling reason to have a meaningful presence on the web!
Thanks again for your feedback...
René
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