It goes without saying that a major element in growing your business is buy generating referrals. Let’s take a quick look at a few tips that may help you gain the much sought after referral.

Over at the Networkingstrategist blog, Hazel Walker, says that you need to ‘thank or reward’ someone who is an advocate for you. She says, ” If you find you have one person who is acting as your advocate you will want to find ways to thank or reward that person.”

Making sure that the referrals that you get are of high quality is a tip from the Salesandmanagement blog. Paul McCord writes, ” You can easily double or triple the number of high quality referrals you receive through careful listening and observation.  Every client you have knows people and companies you would like to be referred to.  Unfortunately, clients often forget about those potential referrals.  Your job is to help your client make quality referrals—the easier you make it for your client to give you quality referrals, the more referrals you’ll receive.”

The age old question regarding referrals is whether you need to pay for them or not. Sparkplugging has an interview with best selling author Jill Lublin. He asks her about compensation for referrals and while she doesn’t take a position on compensation she does add some keen insight. ” If your business is going to involve referrals, clarify whether money or other compensation will be exchanged. Few things can destroy a relationship faster than misunderstandings and bruised feelings relating to referral fees. Specifically ask your referral partners if they are willing to give and expect to receive referral fees. If referral fees will be paid, clarify the amounts and how and when they will be paid.  It isn’t always necessary to compensate someone for referring business to you, but you should clarify the arrangement up front.”

It’s not easy but getting good referrals can be the key to growing your business.