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We are sending our newsletter out this week. In the newsletter will be information regarding a referral contest. The customer that sends us the most referrals within the following 6 months will win free carpet cleaning every 6 months for 2 years. This could expand our business exponentially if this is a success. I’ll let you guys know how this turns out.
Ron, I think that you have an absolutely fantastic idea. This is great info for the board. Good luck and I expect you will need to hire someone next month!
I have always wanted to do something like that, but have never been sure how i would keep track of it all. I am a one man operation and I am not all that computer savvy. How do you plan to keep it straight?
A notebook and a pen.
I’ve offen thought a “punch card” may be a good way to generate new customers, and as Ron stated, grow the biz exponentially. For example, offer the customer the opportunity to have their carpets cleaned (up to a specified limit) for free after they have referred 5 new customers and those jobs are booked. The customer is motivated and happy, and we’ve increased our client list by 5. Just another spin on Ron’s great idea.
I like the aggressive thinking. Here are the things I would consider that may arrise. First, does the winner’s cleanings include just a basic cleaning, or will it include protectant, pet accident treatment, etc.? Secondly, what if an accident happens in between cleanings? Does this have to fall under their prize, or can they just pay for that service call/cleaning and not be “penalized”? Third, what if there is a tie? Do both get it? Do they split it? Does it go to the person that referred the higher dollar amount? Sure you have probably already considered these scenarios, along with others I missed, but figured I’d bring them up anyway in case others may try this.
We’ve considered doing a “prize” for most referrals during an allotted time period (weekend ski trip to one of our nearby ski resorts, weekend trip to Vegas or Cancun, etc.). Sometimes you can find great deals on these and they are not as much as you (or the customer) think. Keeping thinking big Ron, I like it.
Like Devlin says,
Be careful with the stipulations you put on your prize. I think it is a great idea.
Mike
Ron,
I think that this is a great idea. We have a newsletter coming up the end of this month – please let us know if you see a big increase in referral business.
Barry
Ron,
How is this working out for you so far?
Maybe you could give the winner a certificate valued at a percentage of the business you received from their referrals. If the winner referred 10 people to you and each person did $200 with you than the winner would get a certificate for $200 (10%) or $300 (15%).
Hey Ron How about 1 free room of cleaning for every refferal that books a job? The free room will be credited after the referred customers job is completed. Hey if one customer reffers 5 customers then they get 5 free rooms of cleaning and you gain 5 new customers worth how much $$$$$ over the years to come 😀 I am going to start offering this to my customers starting this week.
Hey guys this is my first posting becouse I am new, I am giving away a free cruise for every 8 referals that turn into work I keep track with pen and paper as well, and on a spreadsheet on my computer. I get the cruises for very cheap and they are very good cruises the customer has to pay the port fees and taxes, I have had good success since I started 2 weeks ago. I like the give away ideas, people love FREE and they love to sell your work to friends and family when you do a GREAT job. good luck guys keep posted.
Just a thought-
Since the majority of us leave 1 or more business cards at our customers home, why not have business cards that are also “referral cards”. These cards can be very similar to a business card but also includes an area on the front and/or back for your customers’ name and the name of the referral. Your customer must give the card to the referral. As you complete the job for the referral, the card must be presented to you w/ the references’ name on it. At this time, you have the card back in your possession to follow up on the reward. I would like to see a professional looking card like the ones we buy from HB. I read about a guy named Howard Partridge that claims he does $50,000/month in sales from new customers through his referral program. He doesn’t have a yellow page ad nor does he run mailers or newspaper adds. I think it is a great idea to employ your customers as advertising agents.
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