August 15 2009

PR tools: the power of referrals

Clients tell me constantly that they generate much of their new business through referrals. Yet many companies don’t have a system in place to make sure they keep receiving them. Actively focusing on referrals should be a key part of your marketing and PR strategy, and here’s why.

1. Referrals have credibility. When someone you trust tells you about a business, you will also trust this company—even if you’ve never heard of them before.
2. People who are referred will spend more money. Research has proven this and it’s likely because people tend to refer those who are not just price shoppers.
3. Referrals are cost-effective. They’re free! Compare that to the cost of earning a new customer by advertising.

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PR Briefs is a blog of tips, resources and case studies for the public relations professional and the PR novice. Feel free to comment, re-post or ask questions—I hope you enjoy your experience here.

PR and marketing have been the focus of my career for the past 30 years. As an ad agency client during the early years, I got to experience a birds-eye view of agencies and the experience wasn't always a good one. When Ideaworks opened in 1995, we were determined to break the mold, and after 15 years, more than 300 awards and hundreds of client referrals, I think we're starting to get there.
—Caron Sjoberg, APR, CPRC

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