Get More Clients Blog

What’s that definition of insanity again? Oh… right! “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

One form of referral insanity is using outdated methods. Managers and trainers often teach what worked for them, but only produce mediocre results in this new world where we need to blend the analogue side of referrals with the digital side.

There are 5 insanely common and easy to make mistakes that so many people are making in their efforts to boost referrals and introductions.

PLEASE tell me you’re not making these mistakes!

For many years, the “letter of introduction” was a common practice when someone traveled to another city for the purposes of doing business.

The telephone almost, but not quite, replaced the letter of introduction. And the in-person introduction still remains as the highest form of introduction.

So what is the one thing that is so significant to warrant my bold claim?

The Digital Introduction!

Email, LinkedIn, and Texting are becoming the introduction of choice. But are they the most effective?

Are you wondering what a guy taking an axe to his beard has to do with growing your business with referrals and introductions?

You have to hear this quick, fun story about how a financial rep generated the most referral activity he ever had in a 45-day period AND had a ton of fun doing it.

More importantly, his clients had fun with the entire process and he’s still getting residual referrals and introductions without even asking.

Have you ever been part of a networking group where all the referrals seem to go to the gift basket lady, the printer, and the handyman who get all the referrals?

No surprise there. It’s a much easier referral to give.

In one week, I had 3 conversations with 3 financial professionals who were members of a formal networking group, but not having great results getting referrals.

What’s that all about? After all, every member is supposed to provide referrals to the other members.

The easier you can make it for people to introduce others to you, the more likely they’ll do it. Here is an easy 3-step digital strategy that you can set up to help make it very easy for your clients, centers of influence, and other advocates to provide you with quality introductions.

I was having lunch with a financial professional last Friday and discovered that he has a “hole in his WHY.”

Meaning… he didn’t talk about his WHY is as powerful and effective way as possible. Therefore, he was missing opportunities to create strong engagement with prospects and clients.

I asked him to tell me what he told his prospects and clients about WHY he did what he did… WHY he believed in his work.

I want you to think back to your high school or university psychology class. Do you remember learning about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?   I always remember that the first level is physiological like: breathing, food,…

You got connected with a prospect. Yay! You even had a phone call or in-person meeting with them. Double Yay! Then what? Crickets! They stop returning your phone calls. What happened?

You probably didn’t create a compelling reason to take action now.

Have you ever asked a prospective client, “What is the cost (or risk) of not addressing this issue?”

“How should I reward people for giving me referrals?” A common question… without one perfectly right answer. Is a Rolex too much? Yes! What about a gift card to Starbucks? Probably!

In some industries – like financial services – you could easily get in trouble if you “thank” or “reward” for referrals and introductions in the wrong way.

Beyond a handwritten thankyou note (which should be the bare minimum), what’s the right strategy for you? Join me inside our blog and I’ll give you some ideas.

Have you noticed that when it comes to getting referrals (introductions) from centers of influence (Referral Partners) that some people are naturals – and some struggle along to make this important strategy work?

Which are you? A natural? A struggler? (Is that even a word?)

This week, I want to show you what one of my clients is doing to create great results for his business. The strategy is simple and it just might fit your business.

I think it’s worth 2 minutes to check it out…