Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

I Just Referred You To…

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No need to wait, they'll come to you when ready
No need to wait, they’ll come to you when ready

Twice in the past month I have received an email that started with, I just referred you to…

Sometimes people in your network aren’t ready for an introduction, but they’re ready to know who can do what they need. And these people will reach out to you. When they’re ready. I am grateful for these emails from colleagues who trust me with their clients or someone in their network, but more grateful that they give me the heads up. “Hey this person may not be ready for your right now, but here’s who I referred you to, and just a heads up they’ll probably call or email you in the somewhat near future.”

If you give someone’s information to a client or someone in your network, send a quick note and give that referral a heads up. Depending on the person, it may make sense to let them know to wait to be contacted.

Of those two referrals, one is now a client, and the second referral happened at 10 last night, so no pressure. Referrals are great, and a heads up is even better!

4 Powerful Words to Use on Facebook

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TraceyWarren0294 (1)Today’s Guest Blog post is written by the talented Tracey Warren of Ready Set Grow Marketing. I’m always grateful for her social media expertise and today you get to benefit from it as well!

This week we helped.

Seems simple enough, right? But, more often than not, what we actually see is – Look what we can do for you! Aren’t we great? Call today to schedule your appointment for that root canal!  What is in common about all of those statements is they are PUSHY!

Social Media is about a pull, rather than a push and that is what can make “This week we helped” be your new best friend and way to pull clients and referrals to you and your business.

Let’s look at a “Tale of Two Facebook Posts.” For example purposes, we’ll use an insurance company.

Post #1 – Do you have a new driver in the house? Call us today to update your auto insurance.

Post #2 – This week, we helped a family with a new teen driver. We updated their policy and talked to them about adding an umbrella policy as well.

The difference is subtle, but I hope you can see it.

In post #1, if your “fans” or followers do not have a new driver in the house, they will mentally answer no and move on. Post #2 may inspire a different response. As you read that post, is your brain shuffling through people who you might know with a new teen driver? I am guessing it does. Or, maybe it has you wondering about an umbrella policy and if that might be something you need.

Either way, it’s pulling rather than pushing. And, who doesn’t like people who help?

Try it for yourself and let us know how it goes!

What If…

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A couple of weeks ago I got an email that a service provider I use left his company and I was being referred to someone else in the firm. Bummer. I liked this guy, I know his leaving is good for him, but it’s a long term relationship kind of thing, I hate finding new people when I have a good one. And it got me thinking…
What if something happens and I needed to refer my clients or prospects to someone else? Who would that person be? Would they take good care of my clients? Would they honor my rates or jack up the prices? Would they treat them like I do? They HAVE to be dog friendly, obviously.

There’s a lot to think about as a small business owner. When someone you do business with leaves, do they have a great team in place that you’re comfortable with, or would you take your business elsewhere? What if you need to take some time off for health or family? Your clients businesses aren’t stopping because yours needs to. Do you have a back up plan? Is it realistic? Do those people involved know?

Something to think about on your dog walk today…