Our success in the hospitality industry can be enhanced by engaging with our existing relationships. Asking for referrals is one of the best ways to successfully build your network and improve your business results whether you work for an organization or are an entrepreneur.

The following is a referral strategy that will improve your ability to earn referrals. Being focused on giving value first; additional services, support or a referral and then receiving referrals is the key to building a successful business in our industry. As you work to improve your results, a key question you need to answer, do referrals as a marketing strategy make sense for your business?  For nearly every business and individual, the answer is yes. Remember to be the type of person and business someone would be proud to refer to and ask for referrals from your clients and partners.

Ask yourself the following questions about what you are doing to generate strong referrals for your business.

1. First, who do you give referrals to?

1. • People and businesses appreciate receiving referrals. Make sure you start by thinking of who you can refer to them.

2. Second, why should people use your service and recommend it to others?

1. • Keep in mind the people and businesses that have impressed you by operating with integrity, strong follow up and consistently good service.  Make sure your business lives up to that standard. In addition, people need to understand what product or service you provide.

3. Third, who is your target market and do people understand who you are trying to reach?

1. • People need to understand who a good customer is for you before they can effectively refer business to you.  Make sure you share with them who your ideal customer is.

4. Fourth, what are you offering?

1. • Many people operate with the philosophy – What’s In It For Me? Make sure you are clear about the benefit to them for referring business to you.

5. Finally, do you express gratitude for those referrals?

1. • Make sure you let people know how much you appreciate their referrals. So often, we forget to take a moment to say thanks. Referrals are an effective, cost-efficient way to build business.

These 5 steps will help you master the skill of giving and asking for referrals. The key now is to act immediately to first give value to the person and then to ask for a referral. I guarantee it will make a difference in your business! Your challenge is to spend the time and effort to master the skill of asking for referrals.

P.S. I grow my business through referrals. Please let me know if there is someone you know that is looking to make the transition from employee to entrepreneur. I genuinely appreciate it!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbaarman/

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