How To Approach Your Guests For Referrals

Have you ever hesitated to watch a new TV show until a friend or family member tells you it’s really good? The next thing you know, you’re watching the same show over and over again, anxiously waiting to find out what happens next.

In the complex world of digital marketing, it’s easy to forget the tried-and-true way of attracting new customers: word of mouth. The fact is, referral marketing remains one of the most effective customer acquisition tactics. This is because 93% of consumers trust recommendations more than any other form of advertising.

While there’s no denying the power of referrals in attracting new clients, many companies take a passive approach, simply believing that by delivering quality work, they will automatically earn referrals. The truth? 83% of happy customers are willing to recommend, but only 29% because most customers are never asked to do so.

But how do you encourage customers to recommend your business without making the interaction seem pushy or awkward? We give you some simple tips that will help you build a recommendation system that works.

How to approach a guest for reviews?

Remember that most people are happy to help others, especially when it doesn’t require a negative cost or great effort from them. Remember, the worst that can happen is if the customer says no. It’s not the end of the world? Go digital.

Digital referral programs are more efficient than paper and pen systems. They allow you to automate your referral requests (more on that later), giving you more qualified leads on autopilot. Digitization streamlines the entire process and offers your customers personalized experiences.

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1. Customer referral templates -

We recommend using customizable templates that allow you to solicit recommendations at scale and provide a personalized customer experience. The right platform has customizable templates so you can manage your brand voice and save time.

2. Go digital!

Invest in a software solution that can automate referral requests. This way you can automatically receive new recommendations. You can set up triggered emails and text messages that prompt customers for a recommendation right after important interactions.

For example, you can automatically send inquiries after purchase, give your business a high Net Promoter Score (NPS), or write a 5-star review. This allows you to effortlessly target your happy customers and grow your referral business on autopilot.

3. Simplify It For The Guests -

The easier it is for your customers to recommend your business, the more likely they are to follow you. Find software that makes it easy for your customers to recommend your business to friends via text, email, or social media platforms like Facebook.

4. Offer rewards -

You may offer great customer service, but sometimes getting those recommendations is still not enough. If this is the case, it’s time to reward your guests. Offer an incentive program that includes gift cards, a discount on next month’s bill, or a donation to a charity of your choice.

Send this incentive offer to a portion of your happiest guests and tell them that the first 10 to respond with a recommendation will get the prize. You’ll be surprised how quickly these recommendations come to mind for your guests.

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How To Promote Your Referrals?

To increase your conversions, you need to be proactive in promoting your referral program. Be sure to promote this program on your website, emails, newsletters and social media. Here are some effective ways to promote your show on the channels you already use

• Add CTA (call-to-action) banners on your website. Include a pop-up CTA mentioning the referral program before a person leaves your site. Emphasizing your incentives is a great way to get their attention.
• Include your referral program link in your customers’ emails and newsletters Direct customers to your company’s referral page after their purchase. That’s when they’re the happiest and most likely to spread the word about your business.

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