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Positive word-of-mouth endorsements, referrals and testimonials are extremely effective and powerful means to help grow your business. And in my experience it seems that solid strategic referrals are the most powerful. Therefore it would behoove you to include the development of a powerful referral network as one of the key elements of you strategic marketing plan. Your strategic thinking business coach heartily endorses developing a strong referral network and offers ten (10) tips on how to do that. The ten (10) tips are:1. Clearly define your ideal or most desired clients. Develop a profile of these clients that may include such characteristics as: geographic location, type of industry, number of years in business, gross annual revenues, number of employees, etc.2. Always be proactive and offer referrals yourself. An effective referral network operates at it s best when it is a “two-way street” with referrals flowing each way.3. Be willing to share your knowledge by giving presentations free of charge to local service clubs, chambers of commerce, and other business groups and volunteer organizations. This will increase your visibility for you as an individual and for your business and it also offers the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and generate good will.4. Commit to always doing a great job for your existing clients and customers. This is one of the most powerful strategies because of the existing positive relationship you have with satisfied clients and customers. These people are typically one of your best sources for referrals.5. Maintain and enhance your visibility within the area where you do business. It is essential that you become an active member of your local business community. Volunteering for select groups that align with your business interests will afford you the chance to develop relationships and personal bonds that can precipitate new business opportunities.6. Join and become active in your business/industry/professional associations.Select the organization that best fits your business fields and target markets.7. Create an informal peer advisory board to afford an opportunity for you to be part of a group of professionals that are willing to provide strategic assistance to each other.8. Use technology to maintain Top Of Mind Awareness (TOMA) with your clients, prospects, and key stakeholders. Stay connected to your market using he power of today’s communications technology.9. Ask for referrals. Sounds simple and straightforward but too many business people do not do that and thereby pass up some very strategic opportunities to build their business.10. Always remember to say thanks, preferably via a written thank you note, for referrals you receive.Your strategic thinking business coach encourages you to use strategic thinking in the development of referral network. If you would like to learn more about the power of an effective referral network, how to build one for yourself and your business and how a strategic thinking business coach can facilitate and guide you in that endeavor, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his website at www.businesscoach4u.com or by email at jgecoach@aol.com
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Glenn Ebersole, Jr. is a multi-faceted professional, who is recognized as a visionary, guide and facilitator in the fields of business coaching, marketing, public relations, management, strategic planning and engineering. Glenn is the Founder and Chief Executive of two Lancaster, PA based consulting practices: The Renaissance Group, a creative marketing, public relations, strategic planning and business development consulting firm and J. G. Ebersole Associates, an independent professional engineering, marketing, and management consulting firm. He is a Certified Facilitator and serves as a business coach and a strategic planning facilitator and consultant to a diverse list of clients. Glenn is also the author of a monthly newsletter, “Glenn’s Guiding Lines – Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach” and has published more than 250 articles on business.
To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at www.businesscoach4u.com or jgecoach@aol.com
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