Why Referrals Are My Best Clients

Last week, I was talking to a fellow Virtual Assistant. She said, in a discouraged voice, “All my clients are referrals, I don’t know what to do about that.” My first thought was celebrate! She assumed this was a sign that her marketing wasn’t working (because no new clients were coming to her directly). In this episode of The RocketGirl Show, I'll talk about why I believe that referrals are the best clients.

TRANSCRIPT 

My name is Belinda Wasser also known as RocketGirl and today's RocketGirl show is all about why referrals are my best clients.

I was recently talking to a fellow Virtual Assistant and she was telling me about her latest client and that it was a referral. I would be jumping up and down. However, she was a little disappointed because she felt like all of her marketing efforts were failing and that the only way, she was going to get work was through referrals.

Well, I'm here to tell you that referrals are, absolutely, the best clients and today, I’m going to tell you why. All right, let's start with the first thing people who are who are referred to you. It's very likely that they already know about the quality of your work because usually you know if someone says I'm looking for a dentist, you don't just say you know go to my dentist here's his name. Usually, it'll be much more information like, I love my dentist. He’s does a great job. He’s hygienists, are always on time. He doesn't overcharge me. The billing lady is great. You know, so, they're going to do the same thing with you.

The person who's referring is going to say: She updates my website; She’s always on time; Her pricing is fair; She turns things around quickly. So, they're going to know lots of information about you before they've even dialed your number.

This is very interesting. I have found that birds of a feather flock together. And, it's no different in this case. So, when a referral comes, like for example, I have a client named, Michelle who I totally love. She referred me to Sue. Sue and Michelle are friends and they're similar.

Michelle is an ideal client. Sue is an ideal client. So, also the flip side is watch when someone that is not the best client for you ever and they refer someone. You want to make sure that they are not so much alike that you're just replicating something that you don't enjoy. So, watch on the flip side as well.

They've already checked you out so it's not like they, you know, they came across you on the internet or saw you on social media before they've been in touch with you or bumped into you someplace. What's happened is, they've been referred and if they have any questions or many questions they're going to like you, know, poke around.

And this is why our LinkedIn needs to look good and our website. In any place where we're out on social media where potential clients might see us. We need to make sure that everything is buttoned up and looks good. Because this is going to give them a further impression.

By the time people who are referred to me get on my calendar for a free 30-minute consultation, here's how the conversation usually goes. Sometimes they have a couple questions. I'm always happy to answer them but a lot of times what happens is they say “Oh, Belinda, Michelle referred you to me.” She says, “You do wonderful work. I really need help like that. Are you taking new clients?” So, no sales call. No explaining what I do for a long period of time. Or trying to get someone's attention. They're coming to me and saying I already know. I'd like to work with you.

So, I recommend sprinkling which is something I talk about in the unit section of the Facebook Group. There's a video there all about that. And, if you're in my VIP club there's a video about how to get clients and how to get referrals. So, check those out.

In the meantime, before we sign off, I want to tell you about that classroom. So, I have a free online community called The Virtual Assistant  Connection. It's in Facebook and it is committed to connecting and educating Virtual Assistants all over the world. We're in more than 47 countries and we have 6300 members right now. It's a lively community very exciting to be in there, helping each other out whether you're a brand new, Virtual Assistant or just thinking about it or if you've been at one for a long time like me. There's a place for everyone in the group.

So, i hope you'll go over to Facebook. Type “The Virtual Assistant Connection” in the search bar at the top and then click the join button and I'll see you in there.

Have a great day until next time. I'm RocketGirl signing off bye.