A couple of sources for offline clients

I'm always trying to think of ways that friends of mine can help me out with my business and vice versa so I thought I'd share a couple of sources that are currently working for me.

I'm sure that most of you have heard of this source before but one of my friends is a barber and has been bringing in a number of clients for me as of late. As you know, business owners love talking about their business and they already have trust built with their barber.

Instead of having my friend hand him a business card which will likely be tossed away immediately, I tell him to get the client's phone number so that I can call them. My closing rate of these prospects is through the roof because my friend, who the client trusts, has already vouched for me.

Another friend of mine has been teaching food safety classes in the area as one of his many businesses. I was asking him about it and he said that it is mostly restaurant owners who are required to take the class once a year. They are normally very small classes (3-10 people) so my buddy has an easy time getting to know the clients and to build trust with them. Once he has the trust and they are just talking business, he can easily tell them about the mobile websites that I build or SMS marketing or SEO, the list is endless.

Now because they are friends of mine we are basically just on an honor system where I tell them how much I'm making off the client and give them a percentage. If you don't know any barbers or food safety teachers personally, you can still reach out and figure out ways to make it work for both of you. Remember to make them an enticing offer that will make them WANT to get you more business and not just ask them for a favor. Referrals can be your best friend if you use them correctly and you take care of those who are taking care of you.