Refferals

Jul 21, 2005 6:48 pm

I have to admit that there is a lot of quality people on these boards with some very good experience. To that end, I was wondering what has been the best way for you to get refferals out of your existing client base. Obviously one should ask in order to receive, but I was wondering if any particular approach or perhaps incentives worked best with you. Anybody out there tried anything creative that they would like to share. Thanks.

Jul 21, 2005 7:58 pm

I send out quarterly aggregated account statements with a handwritten note on them.  Twice a year I will write: "You have been an outstanding client and I would sincerely appreciate the referral of your like-minded friends and family."

Also, when I do a client mass mailing, I will include the following: "I would like to thank the many clients who have referred their friends and family to our firm.  Your consideration is greatly appreciated."

Every referral gets a thank you note and a small gift.

Jul 21, 2005 11:02 pm

When you open a new account obtain the client's email address.  Email blast a monthly newsletter to all of your clientele.  With each email have a link to forward to a friend and/or refer a friend.  You may write your own newsletter or try http://www.advisorproducts.com.

Jul 22, 2005 5:58 am

ummmm…maybe you should first learn how to spell it correctly?

Jul 28, 2005 3:15 am

Hey Dewey,

You sound like a guy I used to know by the name of DannysDad.  Do you remember him?

Jul 29, 2005 3:09 pm

A great way we've gotten referrals is to invite your top 10-20 clients to a dinner and tell them they can bring a guest. This is a great way for clients to bring prospects to dinner plus it's none pressure atmosphere so the guests really get to warm up to you on a different level.

Jul 31, 2005 3:22 am

Wow Joe I get the impression you are more of a English major then a finance guy? Seems every thread you have nothing to contribute, but spelling checks. I need a good assistant to check my spelling do you need a job?          :)

Aug 1, 2005 6:11 am

Hell I just pay for mine!  Works great, now I'm just a lonely insurance type of guy that loves to sell Whole Life and Annuities!  So what I do is go see any number of local Realstate people and offer them 25-50 of first years commission, works like a dream!  Next thing I know I'm getting telephone calls from their happy customer base responding to a glowing letter they receive from the neighborhood Realstate person.  Of course I sell cheap Term on the first go around and then on the second I sell the Whole Life or Annuities which is out of the contract and no need to split the commission.  Now it there is anyway you can convert that to FP which I'm not exactly but I have a IFPC (Independent Financial Planner and Consultant) behind my name!  You like that, I think the world of it.  Came up with it all by myself, maybe I should develope it a little more?

People ask me what does IFPC mean?  I ask them if they know what CFP, CLU, ChFC is?  They always say what?  Then I reply, well kind of like that but I'm Independent and can sell what's best for you and not worry about Heavy Pressure Agency making me sell what they want sold (you know them underperforming mutual fund market crap), works like a dream everytime!  If it doesn't convince them 100% I ask them how much did your broker make you last year?  It's almost always little if not a negative, I simply state the worst they can do with me is break even in worst case scenario.  Oh yea the IA are simply great!

Aug 1, 2005 1:10 pm

[quote=dogdooki]

Hey Dewey,

You sound like a guy I used to know by the name of DannysDad.  Do you remember him?

[/quote]

Um...no.