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What's a good/creative incentive to get referrals?

by P1
4 replies
So far I can think of 2:

1. Percentage of the person they refer total payment.
2. Percent off their bill of they refer someone to me

Of course these are the same thing in the end, does anyone have anything creative other then these 2?
#good or creative #incentive #referrals
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Makarski
    Gosh, where do I start... the list is endless. Would you volunteer a bit more information about the business, the market, and the product? Your question is just too general.

    In many markets people don't care about a monetary reward. In fact, sometimes it backfires and in some industries it's illegal.

    When you stop focusing on the money aspect and get just a bit more creative, there are soooooo many things you can do to get more referrals.

    - say thank you (send a handwritten note)
    - give them a pair of tickets to a movie or to a game
    - buy them a lottery ticket
    - send them flowers or a gift basket with balloons (to their work, not to their home, so that their co-workers see it)
    - make a custom coffee mug for them (e.g. with their picture on it)
    - donate to their favourite charity
    - give THEM a referral
    - pick up their dog's poop for a week... well, maybe that would be taking it a bit too far.
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    "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius

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    • Profile picture of the author P1
      Originally Posted by Alex Makarski View Post

      Gosh, where do I start... the list is endless. Would you volunteer a bit more information about the business, the market, and the product? Your question is just too general.

      In many markets people don't care about a monetary reward. In fact, sometimes it backfires and in some industries it's illegal.

      When you stop focusing on the money aspect and get just a bit more creative, there are soooooo many things you can do to get more referrals.

      - say thank you (send a handwritten note)
      - give them a pair of tickets to a movie or to a game
      - buy them a lottery ticket
      - send them flowers or a gift basket with balloons (to their work, not to their home, so that their co-workers see it)
      - make a custom coffee mug for them (e.g. with their picture on it)
      - donate to their favourite charity
      - give THEM a referral
      - pick up their dog's poop for a week... well, maybe that would be taking it a bit too far.
      What I'm doing is websites for local small businesses (mainly food places), what I mean by incentive is something so if they don't like want my service they have a reason to refer me to someone else which you probably already know.

      I'm now thinking of throwing in a free mobile version since they are insanely easy to make but I would have to raise the price a bit. :/
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Makarski
        I think you'll find out very quickly that most brick & mortar business owners aren't as commission-driven as us online folks.

        Whatever your reward is, it will usually work better is you link it to a referral, not a closed sale. For example, instead of giving them 10% commission from the deal they refer, you can give them a 2% discount for every NAME they give you, up to 10% in total.
        Signature

        "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius

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      • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
        Originally Posted by P1 View Post

        What I'm doing is websites for local small businesses (mainly food places), what I mean by incentive is something so if they don't like want my service they have a reason to refer me to someone else which you probably already know.

        I'm now thinking of throwing in a free mobile version since they are insanely easy to make but I would have to raise the price a bit. :/
        Man that one is easy. Get them loads of customers and in exchange they will tell everyone they know in business about you. I did this in another business with a few things but nothing (even free liquor to college students) worked better then listening to them, meeting their needs when they most needed it.
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        I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
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