Reward Referrals

Reward Referrals

Recently, I opened my mailbox and found a surprise--a small box containing a coffee mug, with a note curled inside saying "Thanks for the referral!" The mug and thank you note came from the Buskop Law Group, an intellectual property law firm.

Managing Partner Wendy Buskop is very knowledgeable about copyrights, trademarks, patents and related areas of the law, and I often recommend her to authors and others looking for legal assistance. Now I know that at least one of the people I referred contacted her office. And, I have a visual reminder (the mug) on my desk, for the next time someone calls to ask about attorneys.

Others to whom I have made referrals have sent thank you notes and sometimes small gifts, such as the mug I received from Buskop. Although the purpose of making referrals is not to get "loot," it is nice to have your referrals acknowledged and to know that you may have helped a business or professional you respect get a new customer.

When you get a new customer, ask how they heard about you. If they were referred by an existing customer or other business contact, dash off a brief thank you note to the referrer. If you want to include a thank you gift, send an advertising specialty such as a glass or mug, tote bag, note pad or sticky notes, or a nice pen. These are inexpensive but thoughtful ways to say "Thank you for the business!"

Cathy Stucker, http://www.IdeaLady.com/, can help you attract customers and make yourself famous. You'll also find lots of great information on growing your business and more at http://www.freearticles.biz/. Articles may be freely reproduced at your web site or in your print or online newsletter.

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