For a service provider, nothing can be a better lead generator than a good word-of-mouth (WOM) referral (or more damaging than a bad one).
But it can be tricky to measure your WOM reputation. The average business never hears from 96 percent of its unhappy customers. But while that unhappy customer won’t take the time to tell the company why their experience was so bad, that customer will tell friends, family and just about anyone who will listen. In fact, the average unhappy customer tells about 10 people what their issue is with your company. Do you want that kind of word-of-mouth going around about your salon?
Of course not. Here are some tips for creating great referrals for your biz:
BOGO for a Friend – Great for upsell items and newly introduced items that are low cost (and will result in more business from the friend who receives the free item).
Education – Offer a free workshop to educate potential or existing customers – whether the topic is salon-related (such as your salon’s equipment, unique services or product lines) or something beyond that you enjoy (holiday recipe exchange, makeup application tips, color draping). You not only become a trusted expert, you offer something above and beyond.
Perks for Referrals – Offer upgrades or lotion deals to customers who send you referrals. Often it becomes a game to the customer to try to tell as many friends as possible in the hopes that they’ll come in, earning the referrer a special “reward.”
For even more tips, click on the source article below.
Source:
Open Small Business Forum: 5 Ways to Get More Referrals
