Have you ever felt like you've talked to every person you know about your product, service and/or business opportunity? If so, you are not alone! After sharing their business with close friends and family, many black women in direct sales feel like they are at a DEAD END. They start to think, "I've already talked to EVERYONE I know and I don't have a another soul to share this business or product with!!".

Well, how about a great idea on how to "find" new people to talk to about your products, services and business opportunity? Go back to all the people you originally shared with and ask for a referral! This includes the people that said no to your opportunity,your current customers and of course, new people you will meet in the future. I'm talking about the art of consistently asking for referrals!

When you ask people for referrals and attach an incentive to it...you will never run out of new people to talk to. Remember, with referrals...it is not about who YOU know, it's about who THEY know, and that's what referral based business is all about! When you incorporate referral based business techniques with everyone you talk to or do business with, people will expect you to ask them AND they will be happy to help you out.

How do you incorporate referral based techniques into your network marketing business? The following suggestions can help:

  • Create a list. Include all the people you know personally, professionally, current customers and new people you meet everyday.
  • from your list, contact 3 people daily on the phone or via email. Ask them for customer or distributor referrals.
  • Decide what kind of referral you will ask them for prior to asking.
  • If you are calling a current customer, ask her if she is happy with her products and can you help her with anything else. Once she is happy, ask her for a referral: (example below)

 "Hi Pam, I hope you are enjoying  your (product). Great! Pam, I want you to know I build my business best with referrals from satisfied customers like you. I would love to offer you a (free product, discount, etc.) this month! All you would need to do is refer a friend that becomes a new customer, who do you know that would love our (products)? I would really appreciate the referral. Just be sure to tell your friend I will be contacting her direct. Once she agrees, please contact me with your referral's name and number."

  • If you are calling someone for a distributor referral. Use the same script idea and leave out the product information. include questions like: "Pam, who do you know that would love to earn some extra income from home?", "Pam, who do you know that is already successful and would recognize a great opportunity to create an additional stream of income?" And If Pam is interested in joining you herself, she will let you know!

  • Once you get a referral, the most important thing to do is follow up!! Contact the referral right away!

  • Call or email the referral and introduce yourself. Let her know you got her contact information from her friend Pam, and that Pam told you she may be interested in your products or business opportunity.

  • Make sure your business cards, stationary, note cards and emails reflect your desire to get referrals. For example, a tag line such as, "I build my business with referrals", or "I appreciate your referrals", or "I reward my customers for their referrals", can all help send the message that you work from referrals. Make sure your tagline of choice is on all your communications, including the signature at the end of your emails.

Add referral based techniques to how you build your network marketing business, from this point on ask everyone for referrals!! It will make a difference and your business will grow!!

Much success:-)

British