Generating Referrals

What techniques do you find most useful for generate referrals?

Is it social recruiting, is it your (non-virtual) network? Do you have an incentive/referral program in place to get leads on candidates?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Spagnola on October 28, 2011 at 2:03pm

Ask, Ask, and Ask - that is my advice Jessica. Every person I speak with on the phone I constantly ask the question - "Do you know.......". It is an on-going task of flipping over stones, but if you don't ask you might miss out on that next great candidate.

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Permalink Reply by Dorothy on November 2, 2011 at 2:17pm

I agree with Tim if you don't ask you may miss out on a great candidate. I ask almost everyone I speak to. I do offer a referral bonus as well, which helps. I use social recruiting such as Twitter and LinkedIn and non-virtual networking as well :) Hope that helps.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Spagnola on November 2, 2011 at 6:14pm

Dorothy - I don't need to know all the in's & out's , but can you give me a general idea of the referral bonus plan you implemented? Just curious since I don;t use anything like at that at my desk.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Shackles on November 7, 2011 at 12:02pm

Agree with Tim. The #1 reason people don't get referrals is because they don't ask.

First, do a great job and create strong customer loyalty. Then, don't be shy about asking for a referral. If there is any way to create on-going contact with a client/customer, then it's good to have an on-going reminder about referrals you can put in front of them. For example, if you have a monthly email or e-newsletter, put an automated referral button in the communication. Or if you have an annual customer satisfaction survey, measure their client satisfaction and if they rate you high, follow up with a referral request. If you have not read "The Ultimate Question" that's a book worth reading and it has good information on customer loyalty and referrals.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Auton on November 17, 2011 at 9:21am

Personally I invest very heavily in my candidates. When I speak with them, I do my best to 100% understand them and I treat them with impeccable respect and professionalism - they then actively refer people to me in return or when I ask them, they are more than willing to help and will go to extraodinary lengths. I think it comes under 'do unto others......' though I am not a church goer.