Turn Every Client Into Two More Using Simple Referral Marketing

Creating a memorable hook

Having a referral strategy is a great way to grow your business, especially if you work with clients on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. If you have a service-based high-touch business that serves a small number of clients, this referral strategy works like a dream. But we're going to show you how to use this strategy that Kennedy's been using for his entertainment business for over 15 years for a membership, course, or programme as well.

The first thing you want to do is to create a memorable hook for your products, services, or brand. For example, for our podcast (The Email Marketing Show) we have a tune that sticks in your head. It's annoying and simple, and that's done on purpose. Because that's the whole point of marketing - you want to create something that people will talk about.

Creating more memorable hooks

With our podcast, we didn't stop at the tune. That's why we came up with a secondary memorable hook - Email Marketing Wednesday. It's so obtuse and weird (and purposely a bit crap) that it becomes memorable. It also allows to create some tension and conflict, which is memorable in people's minds. We don't disagree much on our show otherwise. While we might not agree on everything in business and life, there's no tension or friction between us - there's no real drama on the show. So we created some through a memorable hook.

Also, at the start of each episode, we read out a fact about each other. And we know that some of these things stick in people's minds because they come up to us at events and tell us they remember! And having something that people remember about your product or your brand helps you create more referrals because it means they have something to tell their friends and family about.

Another thing we do on the podcast is to play a game with our guests where one of us has to guess one true fact about our guest. It's something interesting to describe the podcast by, so think about giving people a pre-loaded 'script' to talk about you and your products or services.

But memorable hooks aren't the only thing you need. If you want to grow your business exponentially, you need a proactive referral strategy. Your intention here is to turn every gig or client into two more. So how will you do that?

Step One: Planting the seeds

The first stage of Kennedy’s referral marketing technique is all about planting seeds. And you do that as soon as someone gets in touch to enquire about becoming a client. You ask them how they heard about you. And if they say they found you on the internet or via an ad, you act surprised and let them know that actually most of your work comes from customers recommending you to...