How Do You Ask for a Referral from Past Clients?

I struggle with this aswell.  Thanks for putting this out there, I am enjoying the comments. 

Brooke

Get into the habit of making it a part of your signature line, add it to all your mailings, and by all means, add it to your messages.

• Thank you for referring us to your family and friends.
• Don't forget to refer us to someone you know.
• Remember to refer us to your family, friends, and coworkers!
• We love working with referrals!
• Thank you for your referrals!
• Do you know of anyone looking to buy or sell a home? Refer them to me/us, I love referrals!
• Your referrals mean so much to us, thank you.

If past clients were happy with your service and professionalism they will refer you.  However, you need to keep your name and information in front of them so they know where to send people if the opportunity ever comes up.  Maintaining contact works as well as mailings.  I have found that sending them calendars, sport schedules, recipes, ets with my business card included gives them an item they are not likely to throw out.  In fact, I have heard back from others that they were in a home and saw my sport schedule (with magnetic backing) on  the refrigerator.

Contact Matt Hudson at 720-981-4109.  He's a nationally certified trainer.  I just attended a class he conducted on getting your clients to send you referrals.  His intention is to also write a book detailing the whole process.  He has an outline he would gladly send you.  You could also ask him to record it and send you a copy.  Really good stuff.

Debbie-There is some great suggestions from your nice post.  Being active in my community, keeps my name out there, along with mailings, emails, etc.  

Great question! I will check back every so often to see if anyone gives any good advive. Thanks.

Hi Debbie,

A couple other great ways to get referral and promote your business:

1. Sponsor a local Pee Wee softball, soccer, or basketball team (T-Shirts).
2. Publish an article in an area HOA newsletter.
3. Schedule monthly or quarterly home-buying seminars (Schools, library, churches).
4. Team up with an appraiser, lender, inspector, and stagger. Publish a quarterly newsletter and/or use link to their sites.
5. Advertise in Value-Saver.
6. Create your own business blog let your past, current and leads tune-in, answer frequent questions.
7. Add your name to many of the area directories for added exposure.
8. Use a magnetic sign to market your business.
9. With magnetic sign in tow, make sure you always park next to the door to and from buildings and the parking entrance and exits.
10. When you publish a property flyer, add a referral message to the bottom.
11. Create a half-page property flyer with a referral fill-in section at the bottom Click Here for a sample. Third row, first card.
12. Distribute a quarterly multiple sold/listing post card that will list all of your solds and new listings during the last quarter and/or year-to-date. Send it to your sphere, past clients, current clients, and potentials if it is affordable. Click Here for a sample. First Post Card on Row #4.
13. "WOW" your buyers and sellers by providing excellent services. Don't try to do it all, get qualified help. When your clients appreciate all you have done and understand how you have gone beyond the call of duty, they will refer you to others. Make sure you leave your mark/signature on each client you service.
14. Use surveys and closing surveys after each transaction and throughout your seller/buyer contact process to determine your weak points and FIX IT!

Lastly, make sure you are doing everything you are suppose to do from list-to-close by using an action plan and a checklist.

Carolyn Nelson, Carolyn@OnlineREPA.com | www.onlinerepa.com | www.point2close.com | 877-717-4491

Another Idea, my brain is still ticking!

Host a Closing or Moving Celebration

1.  
   • Add balloons to the mail box.
   • Order Pizza, Italian, or Chinese food (client choice) with beverages.
   • Make a celebration out of closing so the neighbors will come over.
   • Send out the invitation to special guests only.
   • Help the movers pack.
   • Print out half-size or letter size logos with address information and place it on each moving box. You provide the moving boxes (5-10).
   • Create 10 Celebration referral envelop consisting of
     • 1 Business Card
     • 1 Home Buying Information Mini CD
     • 1 Lender Home Buying Information Mini CD
     • 2 Referral Cards (3 x 5)
     • 1 Thank you card for attending the Closing Celebration at ........

The entire packet should be the size of the CD/DVD envelop, sturdy, and the outside cover should have your picture, a house, logo, and your motto.

Carolyn Nelson, Carolyn@onlinerepa.com | www.OnlineREPA.com | www.Point2Close.com | 877-717-4491

Debbi,

Great job, when you start asking your advocates for business you will really thrive!

Jim

By Referral Only will provide all the language you need for asking for referrals.  Go to byreferralonly.com to get the words.