Why is it that some sales reps consistently earn a six-figure annual income while other reps — putting in the same hours, selling the same products, and trained by the same sales manager — struggle each month to make ends meet? The answer to this question is painfully simple: the six-figure sales reps understand the importance of business development and never forget to ask for referrals.
Top producing sales reps set high standards for themselves and spend the majority of their time either actively prospecting for new business or closing sales. Successful sales reps set productivity goals, establish priorities, and don't waste their precious time hanging out in the break room or taking two-hour lunch breaks.
Top producers don't need to be reminded to ask for referrals on a daily basis or to follow-up on hot leads because they understand that prospecting for new business is a necessity and not just an activity. The good news is that prospecting for new business, like any other learned skill set, can be trained and developed into a habit. Here are six tips to help you do just that.
Tip one: Don't forget to ask for referrals.
When it comes to asking for referrals, timing is everything. Research indicates that the most effective time to ask for referrals is right after you've made the sale or provided a valuable service for your customer. Asking for referrals prior to closing the sale is a big mistake and may even jeopardize the sale itself. Once the sale has been completed, your customer will be on an emotional high and far more receptive to the idea of providing you referrals. When you ask for referrals, your goal is to get as many names written down as you can. Just keep asking… Who else? Once your advocate has given you all of his or her referrals, then go back over the list of names to get details on each prospect.
Tip two: Train and reward your advocates.
An advocate is a person who's willing to go out of his or her way to recommend you to a friend or associate. Most customers are initially reluctant to provide referrals without some basic training and motivation.
Once you're given a prospect, it's a good idea to take the time to role-play with your advocate to demonstrate how to approach and talk to their referral. A brief role-playing exercise will build your advocate's confidence and keep him or her from overeducating the referrals. During your role-play session, be sure to prepare your advocate to expect some initial resistance. This training will pay big dividends by making your advocate more effective and less likely to become discouraged when faced with rejection. Always take the time to thank your advocates and give them feedback on the status of their referrals. I recommend that you call them and then follow up by sending a thank you card and or gift.
Tip three: Strike while the iron is HOT.
Prospects, like food in your refrigerator, are perishable and therefore need to be contacted quickly. Each day you let slip by without making initial contact with your referral dramatically reduces the probability of you making the sale. Develop the habit of contacting your referrals within two business days or sooner.
Have a system to keep track of your referrals, so they don't end up falling through the cracks. It's critical to have a computerized client contact management system to record your remarks and track future contacts and appointments. Relying on your memory alone is a very poor business decision that will cost you dearly.
