Having no formal sales training I believe that asking for referrals puts your customers in an uncomfortable  position that may jeopardize future business dealings.  The “asking for referrals technique” is more than likely a technique taught in every company that is driven by a salesperson’s efforts.  I image it is step number 15, after you close the deal – you ask for three people that might be interested in what you have just sold.  I have been a victim of this technique and I am sure everyone reading this has to.

My business has grown over the years for a couple of reasons –

• I have build relationships with customers
• I have delivered or over delivered as promised
• I have always fixed without question any problem

In doing these small things I have retained customers 5, 10 and even 15 years and have gained their confidence, leading them to not think twice about giving someone my name when the need arises.
 
A referral is based on an outcome, an outcome that you can not control.  You can however influence an outcome by the actions you take in servicing your customers.

Referrals will only happen when these conditions have been met. 

• The referrer had a good experience doing business with you and your company.
• The referrer has a friend or associate who needs your product or service.
• The referrer is confident the person they are referring will have the same experience with your company that they had.
• The referrer wants to help both you and the person they are referring.

Another way I have received referrals without even intending to, is by just being helpful and informative to everyone possible.  Sharing the things I’ve learned with my network of friends, family and business associates has lead to unexpected referrals.

So you desire referrals, getting them is easy, just NEVER ASK FOR THEM, simply take care of your customers better than any competitor would. Work with your clients to understand what they are trying to achieve in life and in business. Help them get what they want and then some. Over deliver when they do business with you.

Do these things and your customers will naturally think of you when their friends and associates need the services you offer.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

Just after Thanksgiving I do a Calendar mailing to customers and prospects, this year is no different.  The mailing is set to go out the first week of December.

I had about 30 Calendars left over – so I wanted to give the first 30 people who respond to this blog post a chance to claim one of them this year.

Just plug in your mailing address and I’ll send you this great 2009 Full Color Custom Calendar featuring a different motivational message each month.  The Calendar actually starts December 2008 so you can start using it right away.

Click Here To Claim Your Free Calendar While They Last.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

When reviewing Google Analytics I found that someone had landed on my site using the keyword phrase “Promotional Products For Lawyers” this got my curiosity up so I jumped on a Keyword Tool I use called Wordtracker to see just how many people are using this phrase everyday.

The results came back estimating 14 searches – which is not really that great, also in the mix was two related phases “Promotional Products For Law Firms” and “Promotional Products For Attorneys” both of these also with 14 searches.  So between these three long tail phases I am looking at generating 42 additional visitors just by ranking on the first page of Google for them – that’s free traffic.

In doing a bit more research on this quest for the almighty first page, I Googled these phrases to see how competitive they are (how many competitor pages come up when conducting a search).

• Promotional Products For Lawyers - 478,000 result pages
  Promotional Products For Law Firms -  364,000 result pages
  Promotional Products For Attorneys -  919,000 result pages

Due to the low estimated searches I found there are not many pages competing for these keyword phrases.  In reviewing the listings on the first page of Google I found the top ranking sites to be of low quality without many backlinks.

All these factors will make it pretty easy to get on the first page of Google in my opinion.

I am turning to the techniques I learned from being a long time user of a great product called SEO Elite.  I estimate I can be on the first page of Google for all three of these phrases in less than 30 days.

Stay tuned for future posts on the progress of this challenge.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

When choosing custom printed promo items you want to choose an item that will hang around and expose your business often, daily if possible.

A Magnetic Memo Holder Clip fits that description.  These clips are quality constructed with a heavy duty spring action that includes a strong magnet on the back.

Item Colors: Translucent Blue; Translucent Purple; Translucent Red; White.

Special: NO Set-Up Charge through December 31, 2008 – Discount Code: ESP FREE SETUP
(a $40 Savings).

Low minimum orders of 250 – at $1.39 each (includes your one color imprint)
Bonus Special: 10% OFF, Discount Code: 10 OFF BLOG – expires December 31, 2008.

Check out the MCM Memo Clip and place your order now!

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.