The promise of referrals

We have all heard it a thousand times, a customer asks for business cards and promises to get you a bunch of work right? In nearly all cases, you just threw away a few business cards.

I might have actually met that mythical creature that backs up those claims. I did a small cleaning for a person in my hometown. It was a wool Berber that had a bad stain right in the middle of the living room which really angered the wife. I got to be the hero for the appreciative husband. He asked for cards and gave the usual speech about how he grew up in this town, knows everybody, and was going to get me a lot of work....blah, blah, blah. I gave him a couple of cards.

So far, I have two homes to clean this weekend and an office space thanks to this guy's efforts. Sounds like there might be a couple of empty rental houses next week as well. That might be all there will ever be, but he has already surpassed any customer that has made those claims in the past.

I just wish this guy would have spilled chilli on his carpet during the Summer.

at least he didnt ask for a discount because hes going to "throw so much work your way"

one real estate loser told me I was going to need to get another van set up and was asking how long it would take me to have an extra truck built and ready to go, then his check bounced for the $150 minimum charge job.

Lol @ his $ 150 check bounced, wow.
I actually haven't heard that promise for a little while but used to get them a lot, and yes most of them asked for discounts, I always tell them, no discounts now but if you do refer me to other people, we'll talk about your referral discounts on your next cleaning, that usually ends the referral talk quick, lol.
I just gave a referral discount yesterday ( rare occasion ), and it kinda hurts to give 10% off, the discount was $ 62, but she gave me a few big customers, so it's worth it.

I would over service that customer to remind him "what a good job you did". Gift card as a thank you. Starbucks or....
Free spotter bottle... never mind.

Bounced a $150 check? That one is a classic.

He didn't ask for any discount, but he must have shaken my hand 7 times before I was able to leave. My guess is that I just saved him from having to buy new carpet or worse, changing to a wood floor.

Time will tell how connected he really is, but I have to say that I like the way that it has started.

Or take him and his wife to dinner ?
We know how much Bob LOVES socializing with his customers, lol.

I was thinking about sending him some chilli.

dp1 wrote:Or take him and his wife to dinner ?
We know how much Bob LOVES socializing with his customers, lol.

Ya, Iiked that one too.

Such referrals are important to grew your business. It helps you make more n more leads.