Are you tired of using the same old tactics to try and convince your existing customers to dish out referrals? Like the email signature with, “The biggest compliment I can receive is a referral from a happy client.”
Or asking, “Would you happen to know anyone who might benefit from our services?
Ways to Personalize your Referral Game to a Whole New Level
First things first….
And I hate to do this, but you must segment your client base before implementing this idea.
Why – because this strategy is not for everyone – it’s for your best clients, the cream de la cream per se. You know, the ones that pay the bills.
There are many ways to segment your client base, but I recommend you do so by revenue first.
Once you have accomplished this feat, it is best to go line by line to identify the clients who are easy to work with and who value your services.
Eliminate the PITA clients. Google this if you need clarification on what PITA means.
Now that we have your clients segmented let’s get to work. For ease of conversation, I will assume you have 24 top clients.
If I calculate this correctly, you can WOW these clients twice over the next 12 months using personalization without a considerable time commitment or breaking the bank.
Now remember, these are your top clients. We recommend you go the extra mile to show them you care.
HOW? BY SENDING A “USP” GIFT
I know what you might be thinking, I already send my best client’s gift….but hear me out…. Have you ever sent them a “USP” gift???
“USP” stands for Unique, Surprised, and Personalized.
My guess is no, but if you have, congrats, you are way ahead of most. Here is why you want to implement USP gift-giving into your business plan:
#1) Stickier clients (because your clients probably have never received a personalized gift from outside their family).
#2) Vast reciprocity (potentially more referrals) can be gained because this approach demonstrates how much you care about them.
#3) Free marketing (well, the gift costs money), but think of all the people your client may tell about the personalized gift they received.
What is the Purpose of a Referral in terms of Revolutionizing Personalized Gifts?
A referral program in the realm of personalized gifts and appreciation can serve multiple purposes, including customer engagement, business growth, trust-building, and cost-effective marketing. It’s a way to leverage your existing customer base to drive new business while enhancing the personalized and heartfelt nature of your offerings.
1. Customer Engagement and Loyalty:
Referral programs can be designed to engage existing customers and foster loyalty. When customers are incentivized to refer friends or family to your personalized gift and appreciation service, it can enhance their connection to your brand and keep them coming back.
2. Business Growth:
Referrals can serve as a powerful growth strategy. By encouraging customers to refer others, you can expand your customer base without the high marketing costs associated with acquiring new customers through traditional advertising.
3. Trust and Credibility:
Personalized gifts often carry sentimental value, and recommendations from friends or family members can significantly boost trust and credibility. People are more likely to trust a service that comes recommended by someone they know and trust.
4. Improved Customer Acquisition:
Referral programs can attract new customers who are more likely to convert because they have been referred by someone they trust. These new customers may be more inclined to explore and use your personalized gift services.
5. Data and Insights:
Referral programs can provide valuable data and insights into your customer base. You can track which customers are referring others, understand their preferences, and use this information to further personalize your offerings.
6. Cost-Effective Marketing:
Referral programs can be cost-effective compared to traditional marketing efforts. You typically reward referrers only when they bring in new business, which means you’re spending money to acquire new customers who are already interested in your products or services.
7. Enhanced Personalization:
As part of your referral program, you can encourage referrers to share their own experiences and stories about how they used your personalized gifts. This user-generated content can be a powerful way to showcase the value and creativity of your offerings.
8. Community Building:
A referral program can help foster a sense of community among your customers. They become advocates for your brand, and the act of referring friends or family can create a shared experience and bond among referrers.
9. Feedback and Improvement:
Referral programs can be a channel for collecting feedback from both referrers and referred customers. This feedback can be used to continually refine and improve your personalized gift and appreciation services.
10. Personalized Rewards:
In a personalized gifts and appreciation context, you can tailor the rewards or incentives you offer for referrals to align with your core offerings. For example, you might offer discounts on personalized gift items or exclusive customization options.
IMPLEMENTATION OF “USP” GIFT GIVING:
First, you need to know what your clients like. If you don’t have this data, try sending out a survey that focuses on discovering this information. Here is the data you need to capture:
The best way to demonstrate USP gift-giving is roll playing….so let’s pretend you have a client name Amanda and you know she loves tennis.
To help you find the perfect gift, I would recommend you go to Etsy and type in: “Unique tennis gifts.”
Here is a sample gift (click on the picture to see the gift on Etsy):
Next, I would sign up for a card service so you can personalize a card for Amanda.
Mailbox Power, SendOutCards, or Thanks.io are some of the best card services.
Here is a sample card you could create:
Here is a sample message:
“Amanda,
I trust this note reaches you amid an exhilarating backhand swing or a graceful volley on the tennis court.
I want to express how grateful I am for your steadfast commitment and support over the past ten years.
Again, Thank you for being an extraordinary client and sharing this incredible journey with us. Here’s to many more years of success, both on and off the court.
Your Name
PS – I hope you enjoy the enclosed gift.”
Once you have the card created and the gift picked out, you need to order them to your place of business so you can repackage them together. This little trick will significantly increase the WOW factor in the USP process.
To close off, you may be asking yourself, “Do I need to follow up on this USP gift?” And the answer is always “NO.” It sounds counterintuitive, but the best way to build reciprocity is to let them follow up and thank you. And besides, do you want them to compliment you or refer you to other customers?
So there you have it. If you want to generate more referrals without using old tactics, try sending them a gift and implementing the USP process.
Conclusion:
In a world where referrals are often transactional, revolutionizing your approach with personalized gifts and genuine appreciation can set you apart. This strategy not only drives referrals but also cultivates lasting connections. Your clients and partners become not just advocates but friends, and your business thrives as a result. So, the next time you receive a referral, remember the power of personalization and appreciation – it’s not just about business; it’s about building a community of trust and support that propels you to new heights. Embrace this revolution, and watch your network and success grow like never before.
-Jeremy Blubaugh-
PS – We have implemented over 7,000 USP gift-giving experiences over the past two years. If you need help with resources to put things into action, we’re here to help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the advantage of having referrals from your clients?
Having referrals from your clients can provide several significant advantages to your business by building trust, expanding your reach, reducing marketing costs, and fostering strong, long-lasting relationships. It’s essential to actively encourage and nurture referrals as part of your overall marketing and growth strategy.
2. What is the best way to get referrals from customers?
Getting referrals from customers involves creating a systematic and customer-centric approach. And remember that the key to successful referrals is to build trust and provide exceptional value to your customers. When customers genuinely believe in your products or services, they are more likely to become enthusiastic advocates and refer others to your business.
3. How can I improve my referral system?
Improving your referral system involves refining and optimizing the processes and strategies you use to generate referrals from satisfied customers and a successful referral system is an ongoing process that evolves with your business. Continuously refine and adapt your approach based on feedback and data to maximize the benefits of referrals for your company.
