Developing a Referral Program

There are so many opportunities and options for marketing your company. Although most companies in this industry have a small or non-existing marketing budget, that means you have to get creative. Developing a referral program is a great and inexpensive way to build your client base. 

The word of mouth is a powerful tool. Think about it; if someone didn’t recommend something you are probably going to look up reviews before you buy it. Either way, we want to know what others think and trust. Building a referral program can be easy! Encourage your happy customers to refer you by using incentives.

Referral Incentive

It is a given that most people that are happy with your work will probably recommend your services if brought up in conversation with a friend or family member. Although, offering incentives will encourage clients to go a little more out of their way to start a conversation about your work. For instance, offering 1/2 off their next lawn cut for a referral that turns into a job or give them $20 for every 10 names and phone numbers they give you. There are so many different ways you can spin incentives.

Worried about cost? Trying keeping all your incentives in house. This meaning, for loyal customers you can offer a certain percent or dollar amount off a service you offer. This keeps your current customers coming back and offers the opportunity to expand. In the end, the goal is to walk away with another client or multiple potential clients.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth can be a broad concept. The best way is to get your customers talking about your company in a positive light. However, in addition you can also offer an incentive for indirect word of mouth. Offer clients a kickback for allowing you to leave your sign in their yard for a few weeks.

This is great advertising because your name is literally poked in the work you created. Whether an irrigation system, flower beds, mowing or lighting, neighbors will know you were responsible for that great looking yard. Many times neighbors and passersby will call you just by seeing the sign, however many will also talk with your client about their experience.

One thing to consider, if you only did one service for them and their yard looks like junk, you might not want to offer them a sign incentive. For example: You installed a water feature in the back yard, but they front yard hasn’t been mowed in weeks and the flowerbeds are dead. Even though you weren’t responsible for the rest of the yard, no one knows that just based on the sign. They see landscaping on the sign, they will assume.

Have very loyal or grateful customers? Ask first to put the sign in their yard without offering an incentive! That is a great way to advertise for free.

Setting Your Customers Up for Success

So say you have gotten a good customer to join your referral program. They are talking you up at the next family cookout and a family member asks for your information. Don’t set your customer up to fail! Give them the materials to properly advertise you. Business cards are a easy and great way to get your information out. Brochures and flyers may be able to better depict your company and services but what customer will carry around those in their purse or wallet. Another option are folded business cards, vistaprint sells them here. They are small enough for a wallet and will have more room if you want to add extra information.

Internet Reviews 

One thing that most satisfied customers would be happy to do, is leave a review online. This means it is important that your business has an online presence. Whether on social media, your website, yelp or google, make sure there are a few ways clients can find you online. Reviews can come in many forms. Some will be tweeted on Twitter, a star rating on Facebook, a detailed review on yelp or a short review on your website. No matter the form, encouraging your clients to leave reviews will make your company look more reputable and trusted.

There are endless ways to market your company. Referrals in the form of word of mouth, yard signs and reviews are the easiest and least expensive ways to build your client base.