Dear Friends,
I was thinking about you today....
I was reviewing my journal entries and workshop notes from the past year, and all I can say is WOW. You like me, know 2007 was a crazy year for some, and a great year for others. I'm proud to say that JeffreysJournal.com reached 5000+ registered subscribers and you have made me feel more fulfilled and inspired over the past year then I have ever felt before, by attending my workshops, and allowing me to sharing my ideas and life with you.
So today while thinking of you, I put together a list of the 3 Best and Simplest Referral Ideas from 2007:
1. Ask your new customers to add your cell phone number or direct line to their speed dial or contact list on their cell phone.
It obviously makes it easier for them to reach you during a transaction, but not so obvious, it helps make you more refer-able after your business has closed.
Most people do not erase stored contact numbers on their cell phone, and when a referral opportunity comes up in the future, and it will, your clients will still have your number on their phone to give out to their friends, family, neighbor or co-workers.
2. Change your voice mail daily.
"Hi, this is Bob Smith and you've reached my voice mail for Wednesday, January 9rd. I will be working with clients this morning until about noon and returning calls between 12 noon and 2 PM and again between 5 PM and 7 PM. Please leave your name, number and a message and which time works best for you for a return call. If it is urgent please call my cell, 555-1212. Thank you for your referrals, trust and confidence."
Customers can be very anxious during a transaction. Whenever you can help to manage their expectations, provide options and solutions, and give quick direct contact, (ICE - In Case of Emergency), you are anticipating their needs. Instead of playing phone tag, or listening to
several repeated messages, and then not being able to find your clients, they get to select their level of urgency.
Most will opt out for a selected return call time which minimizes your cell phone calls. People just feel better if they know what to expect. This speaks to the acronym...
Reliable C.A.R.E. These are the qualities that customers really want. Even your voice mail message can illustrate your character.
Reliable...
Credible
Attractive
Responsive
Empathic
RELIABLE C.A.R.E.
3. Trash your mail.
Trashed mail is a handwritten note, greeting, salutation or brief message of regards on a business form letter, postcard, or newsletter that is used in any direct mail client database
marketing effort. Select the people you feel are special like close friends, family, ongoing business associates, neighbors, current customers, and clients. Hand write a few words
before your marketing material goes out.
"Hi, John & Beth. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2008."
"Hello Pete. How's the new job going?"
"Jeff, thanks for the help last week."
"Hello, Bob & Lisa. How's the new home?"
"Hi dad. Golf season is only 120 days away."
"Hello, Joe & Martha. How are the girls doing at college?"
Hand write at the bottom of the letter or in the margin of the postcard. Use a different color ink. If you handwriting is lousy, all the better. Be personal and brief. Trashed mail gets read,
and remembered.
"This is nothing more unequal than treating unequal people equally."
Your close relationships are not all the same even if your mail is.
I was thinking about you today....
I was reviewing my journal entries and workshop notes from the past year, and all I can say is WOW. You like me, know 2007 was a crazy year for some, and a great year for others. I'm proud to say that JeffreysJournal.com reached 5000+ registered subscribers and you have made me feel more fulfilled and inspired over the past year then I have ever felt before, by attending my workshops, and allowing me to sharing my ideas and life with you.
So today while thinking of you, I put together a list of the 3 Best and Simplest Referral Ideas from 2007:
1. Ask your new customers to add your cell phone number or direct line to their speed dial or contact list on their cell phone.
It obviously makes it easier for them to reach you during a transaction, but not so obvious, it helps make you more refer-able after your business has closed.
Most people do not erase stored contact numbers on their cell phone, and when a referral opportunity comes up in the future, and it will, your clients will still have your number on their phone to give out to their friends, family, neighbor or co-workers.
2. Change your voice mail daily.
"Hi, this is Bob Smith and you've reached my voice mail for Wednesday, January 9rd. I will be working with clients this morning until about noon and returning calls between 12 noon and 2 PM and again between 5 PM and 7 PM. Please leave your name, number and a message and which time works best for you for a return call. If it is urgent please call my cell, 555-1212. Thank you for your referrals, trust and confidence."
Customers can be very anxious during a transaction. Whenever you can help to manage their expectations, provide options and solutions, and give quick direct contact, (ICE - In Case of Emergency), you are anticipating their needs. Instead of playing phone tag, or listening to
several repeated messages, and then not being able to find your clients, they get to select their level of urgency.
Most will opt out for a selected return call time which minimizes your cell phone calls. People just feel better if they know what to expect. This speaks to the acronym...
Reliable C.A.R.E. These are the qualities that customers really want. Even your voice mail message can illustrate your character.
Reliable...
Credible
Attractive
Responsive
Empathic
RELIABLE C.A.R.E.
3. Trash your mail.
Trashed mail is a handwritten note, greeting, salutation or brief message of regards on a business form letter, postcard, or newsletter that is used in any direct mail client database
marketing effort. Select the people you feel are special like close friends, family, ongoing business associates, neighbors, current customers, and clients. Hand write a few words
before your marketing material goes out.
"Hi, John & Beth. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2008."
"Hello Pete. How's the new job going?"
"Jeff, thanks for the help last week."
"Hello, Bob & Lisa. How's the new home?"
"Hi dad. Golf season is only 120 days away."
"Hello, Joe & Martha. How are the girls doing at college?"
Hand write at the bottom of the letter or in the margin of the postcard. Use a different color ink. If you handwriting is lousy, all the better. Be personal and brief. Trashed mail gets read,
and remembered.
"This is nothing more unequal than treating unequal people equally."
Your close relationships are not all the same even if your mail is.
I hope you enjoyed the past year with me I look forward to shareing with you for as long as you find it of value.
To all my Subscribers, Visitors and Workshop Attendees...
Thank you for allowing me to do something I love... Sharing my knowledge.
Thanks for spending 3 minutes with me...
The best is yet to be!
The best is yet to be!
Jeffrey Stanton
Your Trusted Advisor For Life
One of the fastest ways to build a successful referral based business is by training. Now, with me, I like to invest significant time immersing myself in training, while some people prefer to take it in bite-size chunks. Whatever your preference is, now is the best time to contact me.
If you have found this tip useful, please share it with any friends, family, colleagues and associates who you think will be interested. Feel free to print it (with credit and subscription information) and continue to enjoy the tips. I am always grateful for any comments, criticisms or other feedback that you may have. Please send them to feedback@jeffreysjournal.com
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