Want Referrals? Here’s how.

The best way to get a referral is to earn it.  How do you earn it?  WOW your customers.  Give them incredible service that they just have to tell others about. 

On the blog Jacob Morgan’s Blog on Social Media, Technology, Marketing, and Life, Morgan compiles a great list of examples of exceeding customer expectations.

• You tell tell the customer the project will take 10 days.  You finish in 8.
• A customer expects something to be delivered by standard mail.  You use overnight.
• If something takes longer than it should, you offer a discount.
• Instead of phone conversations, you make an effort to meet in person.
• Follow up once something is completed.  Don’t discard clients like used tissues.
• Always offer something extra: an 8 x 10, added service, 12 extra wallets.
• Anticipate customer needs and make suggestions before they do.  Be proactive.
• Under-promise and over-deliver.
• Try not to use the word “No”.
• Make the customer feel special and not just like another customer.
• Send customers handwritten thank you notes.  These stand out and show you care.

The point is, there are all sorts of ways to “wow” a customer, but they all have one thing in common. They go above and beyond the requirements, they add a little something “extra.”

How are you “wow-ing?” your customers?