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How To Make Money With Referrals

Referrals are the lifeline of your photography business. Getting referrals provides qualified people that already have emotional ties to you. What could be better?

Many businesses get referrals by accident. They satisfy their clients needs, and the client refers their friends back to the business. But that isn’t a formal system. If a business currently gets 100 referrals a year by accident, imagine what it could be if a formal system was put into place! (Multiply those 100 referrals by 10, 100 or even 1000%!)

Referral systems are the most inexpensive method of marketing available to your business. Because it’s word of mouth advertising, there is no campaigning complete strangers. It has the least risk and the highest leverage payoff of any strategy out there.

And to put a system in place is fairly easy for your business.

First, create a strong business model. Show your clients what your business stands for. Give your clients a clear picture of your policies and practices, and what they can expect by doing business with you. Once that picture is clear, begin asking for referrals. Ask with every contact you make. In your newsletters. In your emails. With each delivery of photographs. Have a note asking for referrals.

Simply state again and again to your client that if they appreciate your values, and what services you provide, share your services with a friend. Tell them repeatedly that you respect referrals, and will offer the same quality service to their friends as they have come to expect from you.

Second, offer to meet with any referral to advise and reflect what they want out of their photography. If they come to you as a referral, they are one step ahead in the process. They already have some commitment level with your business. Give them some of your time to confirm your value, and to move ahead with the sales process. (Hint: meetings don’t have to occur face to face. You can effectively consult with someone on the phone, or even through an email.)

Your business can effectively double or triple in six months simply buy working your referrals aggressively. Give it a try!