contractor
Most of the stuff we tried did not work or cost too much time and money. But we selected 6 best referral ideas for artificial grass companies that boosted our revenue by at least 30%.
A little bit of boring water paragraph for those who are new to this business:
There is nothing more powerful than generating more business from referrals. People you were reaching out to already know you hopefully can say a few good words about your work and now it's all about how easy for them to recommend you to somebody else.
But! This is not that simple. This article is not marketing gibberish.
Why contractors hesitate with referral programs.
1. It takes time and money to implement a referral program; there is no margin for administrative costs.
2. Going through lots of curiosity estimates with little conversion. Lawn signs are big time suckers.
3. When cheated, referrals get costly. They take the money and do not share.
4. Running into issues with past clients: Oh, by the way, "Come and fix it".
5. Getting a spam badge when sent out en masse. Shoot, I just destroyed my business.
With all combined, many artificial grass installers would ask only a handful of clients for referrals, post signs, and go around the neighborhood after the job is done. Then, after wasting time on curiosity estimates, they will abandon the client and move on. We have done it. We will not repeat :)
Referral examples that work
To help you, we created a list of referral requests that worked for us.
Referrals begin before you begin digging.
1. Referral for a discount.
Before you begin the project, ask to write a review with a social media post of a newly installed artificial grass in return for a gift card or a discount on the final payment. They will ask for a discount, do not just drop the price. Give them what they ask for. We recommend deducting this discount from the final payment, while they make a post after the final walkthrough. It is a win-win anyway. However, gauge the client. Some people may use it as leverage against you. A client who is price-sensitive and fought for the best deal ever is not the right type for this thing. And why would you want more unprofitable clients anyway?
2. Bragging link that is easy to share and track.
Send a shareable link with a tracking number to the project gallery. Make it short and easy to copy. Remember, this is about them, not about you. Their project is at the top of the gallery! the gallery has a call to action. And, you send it within 1 week of completion.
Hi ...
We love your renovation so much that we highlighted it in our gallery of fame. Thank you for choosing us. Feel free to share it with family and friends.
3. Make renovation a shareable news page or a case study.
This is a special occasion for a special project worth sharing with friends and neighbors.
Hi .....
Thank you for choosing us for your backyard renovation project. It was a great experience. We wanted to create a case study. Would you mind answering a few questions about your experience? Ask questions that are specific and highlight your performance.
4. Remind yourself in the form of discounted maintenance and generate some maintenance revenue.
When the season is slow, you need to circle back. It is a great way to maintain the relationship and add some recurring revenue to your company.
Example:
Hi ......
How has your lawn been so far? We have seen some dust this spring. It is a good time to flush irritants off the lawn and get ready for the summer. We will also inspect your lawn and fix what is needed. Click here to schedule:
5. Give them a link for a discounted project. Promise a gift card if you proceed.
Standard bribe. But it does work. But it is a nice thing to have it handy with a glass of wine when they are chatting to their guests who visit them every other weekend. Get them equipped! Track it! Follow up on it!
6. Initiate a raffle to win a discount or a desirable gift.
Example:
Hi.. Thank you for choosing us for your renovation.
We are launching a shuffle. The winner gets 30% off their renovation project. Share it with those you think could be interested. Or take a picture and text it. We will announce the winner on Memorial Day.
You can build it yourself and manage it. Probably it will take you a month to set up and then a few days to email, then follow up, and then and then and then, and never.. because your day was over 2 hours ago.
You can also hire us to do this for you for free. We will take your project when we are sure it is going to work for you, and we only make money when you sign the job. So you do not pay anything until you get money from your client.
Click the button below, and see if this is going to work for you.
How to Stay Out of the Spam Folder?
To ensure your referral program remains effective and does not inadvertently lead your business into the spam folder, it is crucial to adhere to several important guidelines. Firstly, always obtain explicit consent from clients before sending any referral requests or promotional materials. This not only respects their privacy but also aligns with legal requirements regarding unsolicited communications. Secondly, personalize your messages to make them relevant and engaging for each recipient, avoiding generic or mass-produced content that can be flagged as spam. Thirdly, maintain a consistent and professional tone in all communications, ensuring that your brand's voice is clear and recognizable. Additionally, implement a system to track and manage referrals efficiently, allowing you to follow up appropriately without overwhelming your clients with excessive messages. Finally, regularly review and update your referral strategies to adapt to changing market conditions and client preferences, ensuring that your approach remains fresh and effective. By following these rules, you can maximize the success of your referral program while safeguarding your business's reputation and client relationships.
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