Referrals are one of the most powerful forms of advertising you can use. According to Nielsen research, 92 percent of people trust referrals from people they know. But how do you promote word-of-mouth advertising for your business?
· Add an incentive to your referral communication. Incentives are one of the best ways to promote your business, so if you're looking to make an immediate impression on potential clients, add an incentive to your referral communication. Consider using an incentive that promotes your most popular service or product because chances are, if your existing clients see value in it, so will your potential ones.
· Network with Demandforce businesses in your area. Spread your professional wings and engage local businesses with your business (and you with theirs). The Local tab in your portal shows you where other users are in your area. Click a blue pin to find the name of the associated business. Contact them and ask if they would like to do a cross promotion with you using a campaign. This option works particularly well with industries that compliment each other like a hair salon and a nail spa, or an auto body shop and an auto repair shop.
· Use social media. Got a Facebook fan page? If not, consider getting one. Facebook is one of the most visited web sites in the world with over 1.94 billion monthly active users as of March 31, 2017. Whenever one of your existing clients “likes” your fan page, your business name will appear on his/her friends’ Facebook feed. You can also install the Easy Scheduler app so those friends can request an appointment with you directly from Facebook should they visit your page.
· Create a referral week. Identify
a week during the year when your business gets jazzed about referrals.
Then, create a promotion that encourages all of your clients to bring
their friends and family to your business that week. Consider using the
holidays to your advantage. Here are a few examples:
“Love our service but have yet to introduce us to your true love? Bring
your special someone in to meet us during the week of Valentine’s Day
and receive $* off your total purchase.”
“Know any military personnel who’ve never been to our practice but can
use our services? If so, send them our way and they’ll receive *% off
X services during the week of Veterans Day.”