A referral program is a great way to build relationships with existing patients or clients, while generating new business. A successful referral plan does not have to be complicated.  Follow the simple steps below to create your own plan to obtaining new patients or clients.

Step 1: Determining your offer

• What are you trying to achieve?

1. Are you a new practice or business looking to quickly grow your patient or client base?
2. Are you an established practice or business that would like to maintain a consistent, yet smaller number of clients?

• What should you offer?

1. A highly motivational incentive would be an offer for a free service or free gift
2. A targeted motivational incentive would be to offer a free upgrade or ‘add on’ to their next service.

Step 2: Get your cards or gift certificates ready

• Now that you’ve established what you will be offering, make sure you have the materials in place send out your acknowledgments.  Sharper™ has a wide range of business thank you cards, as well as personalized gift certificates. This gesture will strengthen your relationship with your clients and ensure they feel appreciated.

Step 3: Tell your patient’s or clients about your referral program

• This is the most crucial element to the success of your referral program. The reality is that most patients or clients do not realize the importance of referrals and need to be informed that you do appreciate new business.
• Send business greeting cards or personalized reminder cards to communicate the details of your referral program.

The most important thing to remember is, be proud of your practice or business and don’t shy away from actively seeking referrals.  Implementing a referral program is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to grow your practice or business.