Simple Ways to Make Your Business Easier to Recommend

Most happy customers would gladly recommend you. Most of your friends, partners and fellow business owners would too. But wanting to recommend someone and actually doing it are two different things.

Often the difference comes down to how easy you make it. If people are not sure exactly what you do, who you help or how to reach you, the recommendation never happens. Here are simple ways to remove that friction.

Be clear about what you do

If people cannot explain your business in one sentence, they will have a hard time recommending it.

Use plain language. Skip the jargon. Describe what you do the way a customer would.
Lead with a problem you solve. "I help homeowners get their AC working again" is easier to repeat than a list of services.
Keep it consistent. Say it the same way on your website, your business card and in person.

Be specific about who you help

"Anyone" is not a helpful answer. When you name a specific type of customer, people can picture someone they know.

Compare these:

"I work with small businesses."
"I work with restaurant owners in the West Valley who are opening a second location."

The second one is much easier to act on.

Make yourself easy to find

When someone recommends you, the next step is usually a quick search. Make sure what they find is helpful.

Keep your Google Business Profile up to date. Hours, phone number, photos and a short description.
Have a simple website. It does not have to be fancy, but it should clearly say what you do, where you work and how to contact you.
Use the same business name everywhere. It helps people find the right business.

Make it easy to contact you

Remove obstacles between the referral and the first conversation.

Answer your phone, or return calls quickly
Offer more than one way to reach you, like call, text, email or an online form
Respond within a business day, ideally sooner

A recommendation that leads to an unanswered phone can hurt both your reputation and the reputation of the person who referred you.

Give people something to share

Make passing your information along as simple as possible.

Business cards. Keep them on hand and give two at a time, one to keep and one to pass along.
A shareable link. A simple page or profile people can text to a friend.
A short line they can use. Tell people exactly how to introduce you. "If someone mentions their tile looks dirty, tell them I can make it look new without replacing it."

Deliver an experience worth talking about

The best way to get recommended is to give people a reason to talk about you.

Show up when you say you will
Communicate clearly about price and timing
Follow through on small promises
Say thank you

None of this is complicated. But consistency is rare, and people notice it.

Thank people who recommend you

When someone sends business your way, thank them right away. Let them know what happened, even if the job did not work out. People are more likely to recommend you again when they know their effort mattered.

A handwritten note, a quick call or a small gift can make a big impression.

Ask for the recommendation

Sometimes people simply do not think to recommend you until you ask. After a job goes well, it is fair to say, "If you know anyone else who could use this, I'd really appreciate an introduction."

As the year winds down and the holidays approach, people will be gathering with friends, family and neighbors. Those are natural moments for word-of-mouth recommendations. Now is a great time to make sure the people who like your business know exactly how to send someone your way.

Start with one change

You do not have to fix everything at once. Pick one idea from this list, like sharpening your one-sentence description or updating your Google profile, and do it this week.

Want a room full of people who are actively looking to recommend you? Visit BNI A1 Networkers any Thursday at 7:00 AM at Brothers Family Restaurant in Peoria. Plan your visit.