How to Get Word-of-Mouth Referrals in 3 Ways
We live in a world where you can advertise on practically any website, purchase radio or TV space, or even put giant billboards on the sides of buildings. Despite the ability to brand your business literally everywhere, word of mouth is still one of the most popular and effective methods of lead generation. Check out these tips for getting people to talk about your business and bring in referrals.
1. Collect Testimonials
Collecting testimonials is one of the tried and true ways to gain referrals via word of mouth. Many companies collect referrals not only from their customers but from their employees, too. This provides a well-rounded idea of the type of business you run and shows customers you’re the type of company that people respect and value. Most people provide test and photographs, but if you want to go the extra mile, see if you can find people willing to provide video testimonials.
2. Get Personal
There is still something to be said for good, old-fashioned, personalized messages. Whether you’re looking to create lead generation for new customers or new employees, initiating direct contact with people you think would benefit from your products, services, or company overall is still an excellent way to gain word-of-mouth referrals. Don’t just jump into a sales pitch, though. Personalize the messages you send by referring to something in their profile, such as a current job title or a related theme. If you’re contacting someone you’ve already met in person, refer back to how you met him or her so that they know you remember them and not just what you think they can do for you.
3. Always Accept Meetings
Always accept a chance to have a conversation about your business, product, or service. No, you don’t need to stop and have an immediate conversation if someone asks while you’re busy, but you can take a moment to add them to your calendar for a quick phone call or a lunch or dinner meeting at a later date. The more meetings you take on, the more likely you are to generate truly profitable leads that will benefit both you and the person you’re meeting with.
No matter what, remember that lead generation via word of mouth is about putting your business into a positive light. If someone meets with you and has negative things to say, don’t return it with negativity. Instead, focus on problem-solving and creating a more positive outcome at the end.
