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I’ve been taking new action on growing my carpet cleaning business. Specifically, taking a more active approach to developing referrals. Not that I wasn’t doing it before, but I probably wasn’t being as persistent as I am now. So far, I’ve already gotten a couple more referrals this month, as a direct result of my efforts.
I read a topic on here about building wealth and how you have to take the approach of helping others, rather than selfishly focusing on how to make more money. This philosophy relates to an old idea that I didn’t pursue at the time, but would like to revisit.
Several years before I purchased the business from my dad, he used to go to business networking events, like a BNI. Maybe it was simply because of a better economy at the time, but he had quite a bit of success is growing the business there. In return, he tried to use their services and do cross-promotions with them.
Looking back on it, I think this was the wrong approach. Sure, they were happy to get his business, but that is rather limited to their benefit. What they want are referrals, just like I do. So now I know what they want, how do I deliver that to them?
The challenge is that people don’t come to me talking about their problems and asking for help. Obviously, you wouldn’t ask your carpet cleaner if they knew a good chiropractor or financial advisor. How can I help deliver referrals to other businesses?
I already have a steady stream of my existing clients to work with. It’s just a matter of taking the appropriate action. I think this is a potential gold mine that I have not used yet. If I can help both my own clients and other businesses solve their needs (besides carpet cleaning), I’m sure only good will come from it.
On a side note, business is actually doing well (not great, but better than average), despite being in an economically-dependent industry. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I’m getting a sense that we are moving into the “second phase†of this down economy. The first phase was where people simply stopped spending money on carpet cleaning.
Now, we’re in the second phase, where people realize that they can’t go forever without spending money, so they either have to get hard surfaces, replace the carpets, or get them cleaned. Even at my price, I’m immensely cheaper than the other two options. While my clients aren’t using me as often as I’d like, they are certainly being more understanding and less price resistant than before.
Thanks for the discussion.
I read a topic on here about building wealth and how you have to take the approach of helping others, rather than selfishly focusing on how to make more money. This philosophy relates to an old idea that I didn’t pursue at the time, but would like to revisit.
Several years before I purchased the business from my dad, he used to go to business networking events, like a BNI. Maybe it was simply because of a better economy at the time, but he had quite a bit of success is growing the business there. In return, he tried to use their services and do cross-promotions with them.
Looking back on it, I think this was the wrong approach. Sure, they were happy to get his business, but that is rather limited to their benefit. What they want are referrals, just like I do. So now I know what they want, how do I deliver that to them?
The challenge is that people don’t come to me talking about their problems and asking for help. Obviously, you wouldn’t ask your carpet cleaner if they knew a good chiropractor or financial advisor. How can I help deliver referrals to other businesses?
I already have a steady stream of my existing clients to work with. It’s just a matter of taking the appropriate action. I think this is a potential gold mine that I have not used yet. If I can help both my own clients and other businesses solve their needs (besides carpet cleaning), I’m sure only good will come from it.
On a side note, business is actually doing well (not great, but better than average), despite being in an economically-dependent industry. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I’m getting a sense that we are moving into the “second phase†of this down economy. The first phase was where people simply stopped spending money on carpet cleaning.
Now, we’re in the second phase, where people realize that they can’t go forever without spending money, so they either have to get hard surfaces, replace the carpets, or get them cleaned. Even at my price, I’m immensely cheaper than the other two options. While my clients aren’t using me as often as I’d like, they are certainly being more understanding and less price resistant than before.
Thanks for the discussion.
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