Professionals: Want More Referrals? Seattle Business Coach Tells How

July 30, 2012 - PRLog -- You can save time and alleviate uncertainty in business development – if you use a proven client-referral system as part of your marketing program – according to Seattle business coach Terry Corbell.

“As a professional, you can cut down on the labor-intensive prospecting for new business, if you’re a good steward of your already-existing circle of associates and clients – potential centers of influence,” says the profit professional and business-performance consultant (http://www.bizcoachinfo.com).  

Whether you're in the private sector or in business development for a non-profit, Mr. Corbell says there are two types of centers of influence: 1. People who know you well and will refer business to you without being asked. 2. Those acquaintances who need some prodding.

For the former, he advises a gracious gratitude. Don’t take such leads for granted. Consultants lose clients 70 percent of the time when their clients feel taken for granted.

“Be grateful for the latter, too, and get more quality referrals if you use due-diligence in your referral approach,” says The Biz Coach.

He recommends six steps:

1. Make sure you’re prepared for referrals. That means being up-to-date branding on all your collateral – from your Web site to business cards. Rehearse your elevator pitch and value proposition, and  be ready to offer them at the right opportunities. His 11 tips for a top elevator pitch are at  http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/archives/8372.

2. Lay the groundwork to pop the question. The best time to ask for referrals from a valued client – to maximize your client profile portfolio – is when you’ve done a great job. Be Subtle. Ask your client if he/she likes the results of your latest project.

3. Respond. Give your client a couple of meaningful strokes. Ask your client for referrals to two people just like them – people who will profit from your expertise. Reiterate exactly what you want. Express your thank you to your client and the opportunity to be of service.

4. With the referrals, be prepared to discuss your anonymous case studies and references. Unless your client doesn’t mind, it’s best to be careful with the referrals in how you share your successes. Trust is important. He provides five strategies to build trust for lasting relationships with clients at http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/archives/2978.  

Be prepared to ask lots of open-ended questions. Do not criticize the prospect’s organization or employees – even if asked to do so. That’s a rude tactic, and you don’t want to imply that you have knee-jerk solutions – if they are obvious.

5. Schedule a meeting. Even if the referral doesn’t meet your criteria for a new client, meet with the person. Otherwise, you risk annoying your valued client who gave you the referral.

If you can’t help the person being referred, offer to help find the right professional for the situation. Candidly, I’ve taken on projects referred by clients because I wanted to maintain the strong relationships.

Agree on the next course of action.

6. Follow up. Thoughtful handwritten notes should be immediately sent to both the referral and the client who did the referring.

Thank you notes to the prospect should include the following elements:

• Indicate how it was a pleasure to meet the person.
• Mention one or two examples from the conversation.
• Include your value proposition, and how you will be of help.
• Mention you appreciate the connection because it came from a valued client. (Your referral will more likely want to become a valued client, too.)
• Thank the person, and include a statement to prevent buyer’s remorse.

On the other hand, if you don’t decide to work with the referral, explain why to your client in-person. Remember it’s an opportunity to restate your criteria for new clients.

As The Seattle Biz Coach, Mr. Corbell’s portal (www.bizcoachinfo.com) provides proven solutions for maximum profits in Planning, Operations, Marketing / Sales, Finance, Technology, Public Policy, Human Resources, and Wall Street.

Plus, it has informative news videos: World, U.S., Economy, Markets, Health and Sports.

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Seattle Biz Coach Terry Corbell is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. He also publishes performance-enhancing strategies at The Biz Coach: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com, Proven Solutions for Maximum Profits.