You’ve probably heard it before: Referrals are the best leads and business that you can get.
It is one of the best ways to grow your contractor or construction business.
They have higher conversion rates than cold leads because people who have been referred to you are more likely to buy from you than people who came across your website or company on their own without being referred by someone else.
They’re free, and they’re from people who already know you.
I’ve been working in the real estate and construction industries for over 20 years, and I’ve had a lot of success with getting business through referrals.
But it’s one thing to know that referrals are good, and another to get them on a regular basis.
It’s all about being intentional and proactive about providing great service and creating happy customers. You won’t get much better than those two things!
The good news is that it doesn’t take much time or effort to get the word out that you’re doing great work — so that when people need something done, they think of you first.
Here are 10 steps to getting more referrals:
1. Be a great person and leader
You know the old saying, “Givers gain.”
It’s true. If you want to get more referrals, you have to be a giver. You have to give more value than you receive.
You have to be generous and give people an opportunity to help you by referring business your way.
Treat people how you want to be treated. Don’t get caught up in all the stress and money aspects of the business so you become jaded towards other people and start becoming a jerk.
2. Focus on employees
Your employees are the face and lifeblood of your company. If your customers have a bad experience or do not trust your employees, you will not get any referrals.
You need to hire good people who want to do a good job and be the best they can be.
Your employees and clients are human. Treat them all with respect and humility like you want to be treated.
This doesn’t mean that you have to pay them more or give them better benefits than anyone else in town.
It just means that when they come to work each day, they should feel like they’re part of something special — something that makes their lives better because of their relationship with the company and with their coworkers.
3. Be helpful
When people need something from us, we’re happy to give it because we know how much we appreciate it when someone helps us out in our business.
If there are people that need help with anything related to construction – from marketing tips to hiring contractors – offer your expertise freely and without expecting anything in return.
4. Do great work and provide exceptional service
The first step in getting more referrals is having a product that people want and need.
If you don’t have a great product or service, then people won’t refer you because they won’t want their friends or family members using your service if it isn’t any good!
By making sure that clients are happy when dealing with your business, they will likely come back again because they know that they will receive the same level of service each time they visit again or make another purchase.
So make sure that whatever it is that you do, it delivers real value to the customer and makes them happy with their purchase or experience with your company.
5. Give referrals
You know how they say it’s better to give than to receive?
That applies here too! If someone asks you for help, refer them to someone else who might be able to help them out faster and better than you can. You’ll make their day and it will make yours as well!
6. Ask for referrals
Don’t forget about your existing customers when trying to get more referrals for your construction business!
Ask them if there’s anyone else who might need your services and whether they would be willing to recommend you as well (make sure you ask permission first!). If they’re not comfortable giving out personal information but are willing to pass along your contact info (which is all
When you do a great job, ask your client if they know anyone else who could use your services. Make sure to follow up on those referrals once they come in.
7. Keep in close touch with referral sources
When someone sends business your way, make sure that everyone knows about it — especially the person who referred them!
Let them know how much it means to the company and how much it helps us grow our business in difficult economic times when referrals are harder to come by than ever before.
Always follow up with referral sources after you’ve helped someone out of the blue – just because you have helped them doesn’t mean they’ll remember to send you more business!
Follow up by sending them a handwritten thank-you note or sending an email thank-you note that includes a link to the article if it pertains to what they do for a living (ex: real estate agent who helped sell my house).
8. Make it easy to refer you
Make sure your website is easy-to-use and looks professional (i.e., not something made in 1998). You need a website that is easy for potential customers to find information about your products and services through
Create a blog where you can publish articles about relevant topics related to your industry or niche market that will help other professionals like yourself do their jobs better (or more efficiently).
In addition, it’s important that you include a link back to your website or social network page so readers can connect with you further if they wish (this is called “social proof”).
Create a referral card or brochure that makes it easy for people to give you their friends’ names and contact information. The more organized you make the process, the more likely people will be willing to help out.
9. Networking events, social media and other sources
Don’t just focus on your existing customers.
Build relationships with referral sources with other contractors, realtors, bankers, accountants and other business owners in your community.
Offer them free advice or services when they’re not busy with their own clients (ask permission first).
You never know who might have an idea for a new project that would benefit from your services!
Be active in online communities specific to your industry or niche market so that you can make new connections, learn from others’ experiences, share valuable information about your industry or niche market and get feedback from other professionals in the community on how you’re doing (or not).
Try reaching out to new potential clients by attending networking events or joining industry groups on social media sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, and make new connections and promote yourself as an expert in your trade.
10. Use technology to systemtize and to keep track of everything
If you want your business to grow, you have to set up a simple system that works for you and your clients.
It’s one of the most important things you can do to increase revenue and profitability.
Use a CRM system so that all of your contacts are organized into one place and easily accessible when you need them most — whether that’s while meeting with potential clients or during the sales process itself!
Software like Nice Job.
Once your customer has been enrolled in the Referrals campaign, they will receive a message that thanks them for their positive review and also asks if they have any friends that they’d like to refer to your company 🤝
The Contractor Brotherhood Conclusion
Referral marketing is one of the best ways to grow your business.
It’s an easy way to get more customers without having to spend money on advertising.
It’s a powerful word of mouth endorsement that can lead to increased revenue, increased customer acquisition, and new revenue streams.
The Contractor Brotherhood | Helping Contractors Get More Leads With Digital Marketing, SEO, and Paid Ads | I post about the process