This offline method is a no-brainer, right?

[LEFT]I hope this is relevant to this thread. Referrals are important and it seems that people do want to give us those referrals if we ask for them without pressuring them. Real estate agents and other sales pros make a habit, in most cases, of cultivating past clients and current associates into a network of referral bird dogs..

I found a couple businesses using an intriguing method that could be easily duplicated by Warriors as a new offline service in their local areas. I was wondering if anyone has attempted this referral solution or seen it in action as it seems to positively leverage some of Groupon's shortcomings:

This business model is two fold, you collect great local discounts from really cool businesses with the promise you will promote their business and bring qualified clients in their door. Second, for a minimal monthly fee you allow sales professionals to thank and gift their clients and associates every month with a substantial/huge discounts that you have already negotiated with great local businesses such as restaurants, wine bars, candy shops, etc. The limited time gift is received in the mail with details on a beautifully designed and visually appealing postcard customized with the client's message. This marketing strategy has the intended result of delivering highly qualified referrals over the course of year with such exclusive monthly offers. Postcard mailing is done through online discount postcard site like Click2Mail.

I have seen this model offered by TheReferralSquirrel dot com and FromYourFriends dot com

Tyler, I hope this is keeping with the theme of this thread. I thought it was a pretty unique referral generating method that could be of value. I have no connection with either company, I am looking at replicating here locally.

Cheers!

Chris

My dads heating and cooling company has been running off of referrals for 15 years

Word of mouth referrals is golden! That is a unique method from what i understand of it. Specific wording is also a valuable tool. The picture you help "paint" in a clients mind is key. Like open-ended questions in sales, understanding and using these principles and methods are vital to making progress from start to finish. We need to start using our intuitive mind more. I'm working on it myself!

Word of mouth referrals have certainly helped my business locally. I was amazed by the number of clients who not only referred potential clients to me, but also took the time to contact me and let me know they made the referral. I've started offering discounts to those who refer make a certain number of referrals and it has paid off.

I certainly continue to focus on other methods of advertising, but I certainly recommend doing what you can to encourage clients to spread the word. Especially when you start to realize how many services/products you use because of a referral.