How Do You Get Business Referrals?

shmoo597

hey everyone,

I just quit a job with a small contracting firm and am striking it out on my own, and starting my own contracting company. For now I am just sticking with what I have done in the past, individual work on homes, kitchens, bathrooms etc.

I am trying to build up a client base - how do those of you with your own businesses get buisness referrals? Do you use word of mouth or websites or what? Do you use forums like this one? On another board someone mentioned businessnetworkingme.com and some other referral sites. Anyone know anything about it, or if these referral sites work?

thanks

Alex

MattCoops

Send your past customers a mailing with an incentive (discount/payout) to use you again or refer you to a friend.

Starting a brand new company, I don't see much of a way to get word of mouth business just yet.
Focus more on getting leads.
Then focus on retaining customers rather than finding new ones.

__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

Mike Finley

You get referrals from past customers by always exceeding your customers expectations.

Only after that - You can increase the odds or percentage of customers who will refer you by asking your customers for those referrals. Increase them some more with rewarding past customers for referrals. You can increase them further by offering incentives to those past customers for referrals with an official referral program. Increase them further by keeping your name or company name fresh in their minds with continual marketing.

As for getting the word out, I wouldn't call those referrals, but pounding the pavement and grass roots marketing with getting your name out to everybody you come in contact so they know what you are doing is a good start.

Stone Mountain

The absolute first principle of business: do first class work and make the customer happy.
The second principle. If you f--k up, go back and fix it promptly and with out an argument. The customer will repect you just as much if not more for taking due repsonsibility
The third principle. LISTEN to what the customer wants and do it. (Maybe this should be equal with the first)

The referrals will come.

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Residential Deck Specialist: Vist our Website
www.fenceanddeck.ca

GAK

Detail exactly what you will be doing and how long things will take and then do exactly what you said you would do as cleanly as possible with the least amount of stress to the owner. A positive attitude goes a long way. Address problems as soon as they come up. If you screw up take responsility and correct it. The referrals will come in short order.
Never underestimate the importance of a clean and neat job site.

JoeBergess

Amazing. My boss breaks all three rules on every job. Thusly, this is why I'm opening my own business.

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Joe

tinner666

Did you burn your bridges when you left? I didn't.

Which means that I sub jobs from 3-4 of ex employers. They even give referrals to me at times. Especially when it's something I consider a challenge and they consider a chore. Or to any PITA customers. I can satisfy those too. Your ex employer won't want to send a chowder head to them and get a complaint, so he may send them to a discerning contractor(you), who is customer oriented.

I've NEVER stolen a customer from an employer either. I keep his customers seperate from mine. It's helped my business over the years.

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

Rigormortis

Look into BNI- Business Networking International. I joined Oceanside BNI in February. No regrets. bni dot com

Goral

business cards! and a smile!

AtlanticWBConst

Heard of them, get invited to meet with alot...please elaborate.

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- Build Well -

Dave Mac

good work, and a thankyou, are you still happy please send referall letter, for each job.