People as Your Best Asset

Staff Referrals

Referrals are one of the best ways to find new customers, and who better suited to obtain referrals than your current staff?

Your employees know your product or service. They know your customer base. Some of them will take initiative without financial motivation, but most won’t, and those you bring in new business should be encourage to repeat the process with financial or otherwise meaningful reward.

Offer incentives to your staff members who refer new clients. Research proves that it doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary; incentives can even come in the form of:

A sleep-in day: staff get to to sleep in late for a certain period of time.Membership to publications (of their choice).Vouchers for massages, movie nights, restaurants.

Like any type of compensation, incentives are about matching your business’ goals to the goals of your employees. If you can find out what they want most, you can motivate them to help grow your business.

It’s also important to give them the tools they need, whether that’s a customised landing page, printed coupons, a special discount for employee referred clients, or whatever.

Hold training sessions and teach your staff how to effectively promote your business, but remember that this form of marketing will only work if they genuinely feel good about your business and are properly motivated to pitch it to friends, family, and acquaintances.

Additional Reading

How to Create a Referral Program that Boosts Retention & Rewards Employees by Joe FloresDetermining The Most Effective Rewards For Employee Referrals by Dr. John Sullivan

Influencers

The biggest shift in many Marketers campaign plans is formally including influencers. ‘Influencer’ usually refers to an online persona with a large, engaged and active following.

This persona will most often have found success through social channels and/or blogging, but is essentially any individual who has the undivided attention of their audience, and can influence consumer behaviour.

The act of using highly regarded and influential individuals to endorse consumer goods and services has been around for centuries, most recognisably when popular celebrities feature in advertising campaigns.

But what is new is the rise, and rise, of ‘everyday’ influencers who have created their own following. Connecting with an Influencer is free, but the good ones will expect to be paid for reviewing or placing your product.

Customer Referrals

My other favourite. If you don’t have a relationship with your customers, then how do you expect them to refer you?

Building customer loyalty takes dedication, honesty and time.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a referral, a review, an endorsement or repeat business. Asking is free. Although doing it over a cup of coffee might cost $10.