Tag Archives: referrals

Does it Really Hurt You To Share Leads and Referrals?

I used to be fairly stingy when it came to sharing leads and opportunities. I had that typical “competitive” thinking that caused me to think that if I shared leads with others, it would somehow hurt my chances of getting more work. Over the years, however, I have learned that there is far more “work” out there than I could ever do even if I wanted to and that by sharing leads and referrals, I have opened up more opportunities for myself as well as for others. The truth is—there HAVE been times when I have been lost bids or … Continue reading →

Is it Okay to be Choosy? Part Two

My last blog introduced the topic of balancing wanting to adopt a child who really needs you with wanting to adopt a healthy child or a child who can do things you’ve always dreamed of doing with him or her. Adoption should be a mutually beneficial arrangement. In some cases, material assistance to the birthmother or an international child sponsorship agreement may be a better option. In other cases, a stable home life will not be possible with the birth family even with assistance. Adoption should mutually benefit the adoptive parents and child by allowing the parents to have joy … Continue reading →

Is It Okay to be Choosy? Part One

Many adoptive parents are partially motivated by a desire to help children. When considering adopting children with special needs, many of us struggle to balance this impulse with the very human dreams we have about raising children and with the reality of what we believe we have the energy, emotional fortitude and resources to handle. Sometimes our motives are questioned by others too. A friend of mine was challenged as to why she did not want to adopt a child with mental handicaps. If your desire is truly to help children, her interrogator said, you’ll adopt the child who needs … Continue reading →

Ask For and Nurture Referrals

Sure, sometimes new customers and clients fall out of trees or present themselves on our front door without our having to do much at all—but it doesn’t happen very often. What is more likely is that we have to work for our new prospects and customers and that means asking for those referrals and then nurturing them along until they are ready to become full-blown customers and clients. Asking for referrals can be the hardest part for some people. You may feel as though you are being pushy or “too obvious”—but this is the way business works. It does not … Continue reading →

Offering Rewards for Referrals

Ask many business owners and marketing professionals where new customers and prospects come from, and they just might answer from “referrals”—but getting referrals from existing customers may sound like simple tactic, the actuality can be quite different. So, what can you do to generate referrals and encourage your customers to spread the word? Some businesses turn to creating some sort of reward system to reward customers and clients who make referrals. Surely you’ve heard things like “Be sure to tell them I sent you!” or “$5 off if you send a friend.” Businesses use coupons, discounts, and rewards to encourage … Continue reading →