As part of your business plan for the coming year, you will want to implement a plan that will put your product or service on the front burner of your customer's mind.
Then when they hear someone mention a need for your product, you will be the first person they suggest.
The first thing you need to do is determine what it is you want to accomplish.
Set a goal of how many new referrals you would like to receive each month.
How many new contacts would you like to make each week.
Write down your goals and plans.
Make sure that you include both personal and professional goals.
Why do you want these outcomes? Keep in mind a quote by Diane Ravitch "The person who knows how will always have a job and be working for the person who knows why.
" Know why you want to set up a system for showing appreciation.
When do you plan to start your journey? Don't use the "When I get around to it" excuse.
Start now.
Start today to develop and implement a plan to connect with your customers, employees and referral sources.
Who are you going to appreciate? The first thing that probably pops into your mind is your customers.
However, you will want to include your vendors, employees and referral sources.
Open you mind each day to finding new people who you can appreciate.
Are there other businesses that would be a complementary business to yours? Maybe a business that would help you provide a more complete package to your customers? For example, if you are an estate attorney could you partner with an appraiser to provide your service? You have now doubled your influence base and opened up a new service to your clients.
How are you going to show your appreciation? Make sure you have a plan that is simple and easy to implement.
This could be sending hand written notes.
It could be making personal phone calls.
It could be sending simple gifts.
Whatever it is, make sure that you can consistently implement to plan on a daily basis.
Remember that small things matter - a smile, a warm handshake, being a person who really listens when someone is talking to you.
Make mental notes and then put them into your system for later reference.
Be a person that gives sincere compliments to others.
All of these suggestions will work together to increase your top of mind awareness with others and increase your referrals.