[cleanable]

... now when times are hard  : and you want to generate cash we found this method quite effective (others will have no doubt something simular) 

After each carpet clean job you do, enclose a form that allows the custy to write down 5 refferals (relatives or friends only) that can be contacted. If that custy has used all 5 boxes then she gets a voucher for M & S to the value of £10 per refferal we actually clean, do the job.

So, if all Mrs Smith's refferals are cleaned she gets £50 in vouchers 

And then of course we move onto that lot for further refferals..

All 5 boxes must be filled in prior to our departure.

Hope you grasp the idea......     

and sorry about spelling 

[Simon Gerrard]

Do a fantastic job and your customers will happily refer you on to friends, family, work colleagues, without needing an incentive - our business is built on that.

Simon

[cleanable]

Do a fantastic job and your customers will happily refer you on to friends, family, work colleagues, without needing an incentive - our business is built on that.

Simon

That's good for you Simon, and you keep harping on about it, well done,,,,,but for other's who are starting out or who are struggling at the moment this is an idea they might wish to try.

We often use this in the quieter months. Generates custys quickly!

[AshWhite]

I think it's a good idea, although personally I'd feel a bit uncomfortable giving details of friends & family without their permission, but I do know that some people will sell their grannies for a weeks worth of shopping vouchers.

Sales pitches have also been proven (Doubters should read "Influence: The psychology of persuasion" by Dr Robert Cialdini) to be a lot more effective if you can mention the name of a friend who "suggested we call on you".

Whatever works for the individual I guess, but it certainly doesn't harm to have as many 'weapons' in your arsenal as possible.

Good luck all,

Ashley.

[Simon Gerrard]

The problem with putting people 'on the spot' in this way is that they are being asked to divulge their friends names, addresses and telephone numbers and many people would feel uncomfortable with that and keeping people in their 'comfort zone' is crucially important if you want to keep them as a customer. If they begin to feel threatened by your sales tactics, then they will remember you for that and not the great cleaning job you just did. Why not send them a Thank You card the next day and have the details of your referral scheme in there.

Simon

[cleanable]

That's an idea, but would they return it, some would, most wouldn't?

What we find is that the custy is often still excited with the clean when we ask Do you wish to participate in our refferal scheme?

We get more yes's then no's. It's not compulsary, if they're happy to participate then thats fine. We also get them ringing around their friends and family whilst we are still with them, which saves us a job.

[Simon Gerrard]

Then you've got to consider that their friends are going to receive yet another unsolicited sales call from a complete stranger and you only have to think of how you deal with the endless sale calls you receive to appreciate their likely reaction.

Simon

[cleanable]

BUT....when we do have to call, the ice breaker is always "well, we've just thoroughly cleaned mary's lounge carpet and she recommended giving you a call"..

As soon as you mention their family member or good friend you have their attention

[Mike Halliday]

I have worked for 2 companies who have tried this method of gaining referrals, both times it fell flat on its face.

Kirby tried it as it was very successful in the USA and Anglian windows tried with over 150 reps over 6months even with a £50 referral fee it still didn't work. People are not willing to give out their friends names & tele numbers. I don't believe anyone can have success with this.

it looks good on paper but doesn't work, carpet master is just posting another pseudo marketing tip its waffle  but at least it creates an interesting discussion

[cleanable]

It's not waffle at all Mike, it worked well for us in the past. Don't dismiss the idea, I know some on here already do it as to be honest we actually pinched the idea from someone on the net 

There's no harm in giving it ago 

[Ian Gourlay]

If you can get it to work good for you. Perhaps you should do a Webcast also

Like Mike I worked with the leading home improvement companies and Insurance Companies

Cannot say  anyone had great success , if they had there would be no more need for advertising

[cleanable]

If you can get it to work good for you. Perhaps you should do a Webcast also

Like Mike I worked with the leading home improvement companies and Insurance Companies

Cannot say  anyone had great success , if they had there would be no more need for advertising

The latest top tip

Is to offer a Gift Basket nicely presented of Stain Removers and General Cleaning Products, ie for hard floors

Wow, now that's too expensive idea for my liking Ian 

Your margins would be rock bottom 

[cleanable]

They cost £20

Stain Removers and General Cleaning Products

Blimy what's in them, water? £20 for all that lot 

[Ian Gourlay]

Its an idea from last summers refer on,  I probably said to much

[cleanable]

Your post saying that the basket of cleaning products and stain removers worth £20 has gone Ian 

What was in the basket if you don't mind me asking?

Are these baskets still available, at £20 a bargain 

[Simon Gerrard]

Carpetmaster,

You seem happy enough to call other people by their names but seem content in insulting the rest of us by witholding yours. Doesn't make you look very big, as a man and not very genuine as a person.

Simon

[cleanable]

Carpetmaster,

You seem happy enough to call other people by their names but seem content in insulting the rest of us by witholding yours. Doesn't make you look very big, as a man and not very genuine as a person.

Simon

Hi Simon, my name is Dave Russell, does that make you happier 

Cheers, Dave

[Ian Gourlay]

Dave

I said too much it was a closed doors workshop run by Periere De Wet

A bit more complicated than just handing out £20 basket

[derek west]

if it worked then you wouldn't have quiet spells. all this shouts desperation to me. its pushy marketing and thats not in my business description, i'll carry on like simon. proper job at the right price, that makes people proud to reccomend me. ive just had my psi reg fixed by precious washers, the guy knew his stuff, charged a more than fair price and was very friendly and professional at the same time, i'm not only proud to reccomend him, i'm desperate for one of you guys to use his services so you can see just how good he is. i rest my case.

ps... i got no m&s vouchers, no diy fixing kits,spray bottles, cuddly teddy with precious washers on it, no  fridge magnets. de-icer kits. truckmount stickers. 50page brochures (that would go in the bin)  they didn't ask me when my wifes birthday was so they could send me a birthday advertising card with 20% off if....

in fact i got zilch, nothin, diddly squat. just good old fashioned service at VFM prices.

yours faithfully, derek west, getting burnt in the garden in this glorious sunshine. and not a beer in site. still need to ditch the ciggies though.

[wynne jones]

Asking for referrals is a great way to get more good customers. Like anything else you have to do it right and it may not work straight out the box.

Bear in mind there are literally 100s of different approaches, sometimes it's a matter of timing it right and most importantly having multiple ways to get referrals.

As usual the biggest barrier to getting referrals is in the Carpet Cleaners head, not the happy customers.