Delivering on your promises isn’t enough

December 16, 2012 at 11:00 PM
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Are you doing what you said you would do for your clients? If the answer is yes, this could be the reason you aren't getting more referrals. Simply put, it's quite possible that you're not getting the referrals you deserve because you are doing exactly what you said you would do. Confused?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what you promised, but it's just not unique or exciting. You are simply following through with what your clients expect from you. And that alone won't inspire your clients to tell everyone they know about you and your company.

Your clients will talk about you when there is something unexpected to say, something that causes you to stand out from the competition. They will talk about you when you do something surprising—in a good way. Doing exactly what you said you would do—and nothing more—makes you a good person and good businessperson, but the honest truth is that it isn't very exciting. To get your clients to share you with their world, you need to do or say something surprising, unexpected. Something that makes them say "Wow!"

So, to your very best, highest referral-potential clients, try sending a handwritten note. Email them a personal video recorded just for them. Make sure you have frequent in-person meetings to go over their goals and accounts (two to four times per year). Call and wish them a happy birthday. Call just to check in and provide a between-review updates. Invite them out for dinner with your family—really! Give them more than they expected, and you may just get exactly what you deserve: more referrals than you've ever had before.

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Maribeth Kuzmeski is the founder of Red Zone Marketing, LLC, which consults to Fortune 500 firms on strategic marketing planning and business growth. For more information, go to www.redzonemarketing.com.

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