Referral Myth #1: Asking for Referrals is the EASIEST Way to Get Referrals

We’ve heard over and over again that asking for referrals is the most direct way of letting clients know that you want them. However, many find it hard to actually ask for referrals. This reluctance makes asking for referrals anything but easy – and for good reason.

Asking for referrals may imply that you are in a negative position and need more business; or that you are trying to grow a large (and not personal) firm. Moreover, when aggressively asking for referrals, it can be all about you, your business, and your sales – not the other person. In fact, asking for referrals may not be a natural extension of the relationship you’ve developed with the client. That’s why we sometimes “forget” to ask even when we’ve been told that asking could help us increase referrals.

In the financial services industry, some of the top producers receive 100 or more referrals each year without direct solicitation. How do they do it? They say it’s the relationship they have with their clients. How would you rate your client relationships?

A periodic proactive call, review meeting or handwritten note can change the way a client feels about you and your organization. It may sound simple, but consistent unexpected acts may give clients just what they need to comfortably, and without prompting, tell others about you.

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One response on “Referral Myth #1: Asking for Referrals is the EASIEST Way to Get Referrals

  1. Laura Fredricks

    The #1 reason why people don’t act…they have not been ASKED! HOW you ASK makes all the difference between a “needy” and “things are not so great” business ASK to a “Things are off the charts join in ” ASK. I would turn this thinking around and suggest that if you want to “expand” your business and continue to have “exceptional” results say:
    “Things are going really well and we value the partnership with you/your company. We welcome the opportunity to help people and companies that YOU know, like and trust. If anyone comes to mind would you let us know we are here to help?
    THE ASK – two sentences and a question! This invites a conversation not an uncomfortable confrontation.
    It works trust me I’ve been doing this for 25 years with amazing results!

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