[cleanability]

Does offering previous customers free cleaning or reduced rates if you get referrals from them, get you more work? What type of figures are anyone here working on? E.G. how many referrals from the same previous customer gets what in return?   Should there be a time limit on the offer? Are there things to be aware of doing this? Havent really thought this through , but could this be a continuous thing you do with all first time customers?  i.e could you leave this offer with all new customers when you leave them??                                        

                               

[Dynafoam]

All my new business comes from existing customers, and I am gratefull fo every referal - but give the free cleans? NO sir !!! I earn my living out of cleaning carpets & upholstery - that means getting paid to do it.

When a customer recommends me to a friend or relative, they have the joint satisfaction of  showing gratitude for the level of service I have given them and of knowing that they are doing a favour for their friend by steering them to someone who will do a good job at a fair price.

If that sounds aragant, then so be it !

John.

[mark_roberts]

Yearly letters work well along with a little offer to tempt them to buy NOW or within a month.

Never really succeeded in getting more referrals by offering a discount or whatever for them.  From experience I seem to get more referrals if I've been to a customer more than once.  Maybe I don't impress them the first time?

I do use offers to get business ie. £15 off three carpets cleaned or whatever.  My thinking is to achieve a higher job ticket by encouraging the customer to spend more.  No point is giving discounts for one room of carpet.

In order to get where John is you have to have customers and you have to do something to attract them in the first place.  

Experiment to see what works for you.

thanks
Mark

[cleanability]

Thanx for the replies. I think I read in the other site about customers forgetting your name. Which I agree is dead right. Many times I've done a good job, the customer thinks I'm the bees knees, then they cant remember who I am. They either stumble on me again or pick me again by accident.

                               Chris

[Mike Halliday]

I've used the same garage for over 10 yrs, they never rip me off, lend me a loan car & always fit me in in an emergency.

they are brilliant!!!

over the last 10 years I've never recommended them to anyone.

when you read the American boards it says make your customers chearleaders who shout from the rooftops about your great service, but I don't think it works with the British, we are more private & reserved.

Mike

[George-Reid]

Remember your name.
I allways used fridge magnets did not give then to customer but allways put on fridge allong with a bit of banter.
I would also put a sticker on the customers vacuum cleaner no chance they forget you then unless they want to.
Cheers
George

[Dave_Lee]

I once tested clients with incentives to give referrals - mistake, as John said, they were happy to do me and their friends a favour by recommending my services without the needs for freebies etc. In fact I got the feeling that they would get less self satifaction out of it if they accepted an incentive.
Mike, dont judge your clients by your own thoughts. I have many clients who are brilliant Cheer Leaders whilst others recommend in a more quiet manner - they are all different, and like it or not we are getting more like the yanks every day.
Dave.