Getting referrals,
creating a buzz

Most small business owners say referrals are the most important part of advertising their firm.

The average dissatisfied customer tells over eleven people (which is bad advertising), so you want to stop that from happening.

Yet the average satisfied customer tells only three people, according to recent American Management Association research into consumer behavior.

So cultivating profitable recommendations should be your primary goal in advertising and marketing your small business.

Whatever system you build should be simple and easy to use.
And it shouldn't cost you a lot of money, either.

In fact, building your referrals is probably the most inexpensive AND lucrative method of advertising you'll find at this site.

By definition, there is always a "buzz" created by any business among its clients, friends and even those who aren't.

It is your job to try to make sure the slant is positive.

We enthusiastically recommend the valuable "Word of Mouth Magic"e-book. You can learn more by clicking here.

Small businesspeople have to earn endorsements from their customers or clients. And unlike paid advertising, the business has practically no control over what each individual says when expressing their own word-of-mouth marketing opinions to others.

The best control you do have is to give the greatest possible service up front (in their eyes), make real sure your customers are happy and would recommend you to others.

A cardinal rule of salesmanship states that people like to do business with people who are like themselves. Socially, people like to be with people like themselves. This principle can be applied to most any grouping of people from hobbyists to fraternal orders. Use your imagination.

So it follows that if you can keep one member of a group happy, they'll tell the others in their group when they have an exceptional experience from your business. or when someone asks for the service or product that your business offers.

You are the one who has to build your own system and make it pro-active.

Others may be the ones speaking up for you, but it's your job to give them the ammunition. Make it easy and natural for them to be your spokespeople.

If you want a fast path to referral success, you'll really enjoy this valuable "Word of Mouth Magic" e-book. Take a quick look at the offer right now while you're here. It's reasonably priced and loaded with practical tips.

Check our articles about advertising yourself to friends and building your own business networking referral system.

And here is a story about how business networking and newspaper ads worked together to increase sales.

• Go to our Site Map for over 40 original small business advertising articles ...

• 11 Key Ways to Step Up Your Ads & Get Better Response
~ e-course.

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