Ask me for a referral. (I mean it!)

Facebook Conversation with EmilyI was just on Facebook, messaging a client of mine who is making earrings for me. Emily’s got an awesome program where she makes custom earrings every quarter for you based on your style preferences. And it’s SO freaking affordable. Check it out.

So back to the topic (talk about getting distracted by bright shiny objects…) – we finished up the details about the jewelry, and both mentioned that we were working on our Minimum Marketing Plans (what’s that?), then the exchange continued like this:

Me: Have you run into anyone lately who is spinning in their business and could use my help?

Me: (just gave myself a star for asking for a referral!)

Emily: I have my Business Among Moms meeting tomorrow and I will mention our talk and have your info available!

Emily: Do you happen to know of anyone planning a wedding who would like custom one-of-a kind jewelry?

Me: OMG – I’m THINKING about it. This is wild. I love your stuff, but being ASKED lights up my brain in a whole different way.

Me: I can’t think of anyone at the moment, but will definitely keep you in mind.

Did you notice what happened? In the middle of a casual conversation, I realized I could check something off my marketing plan by asking for a referral. And Emily responded with a generous offer to promote me at her next networking meeting. Which made me feel great and now she’s getting top billing on my blog!

The key is recognizing opportunities to ask and asking without an agenda of how your request will be fulfilled.

Now it’s your turn. Ask for a referral right here on my blog. And look at what other people have asked for – maybe you can help!

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Mary Cravets

Founder Mary Cravets started Simply Get Clients because she saw small business owners complicating growing their businesses. Or falling victim to the "build it and they will come" myth. So she developed the simple structure to cut through all the noise of social media, "experts", online funnels, advertising and more to focus on the central problem of business owners: getting more clients. And you know what? There is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynda says

    What a great blog – and fabulous idea!
    1. My referral ask: Who do you know (and it might even be you) that dreams about having better, closer, deeper relationships with their spouse and would like to make that a top priority?
    2. Who do you know that needs to get better organized and have a simple,realistic and super effective marketing system for their business? Send them to Mary!

  2. Adam Cravets says

    Do you know anyone who is currently thinking of buying or selling a home in the Sedona, Verde Valley area that needs an excellent agent to help them? Mary can vouch for me!!

  3. Andrea Beth Damsky, L.Ac. says

    Great idea and thank you, Mary! Do you know anyone who is looking for creative and exceptional health solutions in San Diego or beyond? I am a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and here’s something you might not yet know – most insurance plans in California now cover acupuncture care for pain, nausea, and some other conditions. I accept most insurance and can help you use those benefits, for your benefit! For folks outside of the San Diego area, I sell Laminine, the only product I know of, which prompts our own stem cells to do tissue repair and healing.

  4. Andrea Beth Damsky, L.Ac. says

    Great idea and thank you, Mary! Do you know anyone who is looking for creative and exceptional health solutions in San Diego or beyond? I am a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and here’s something you might not yet know – most insurance plans in California now cover acupuncture care for pain, nausea, and some other conditions. I accept most insurance and can help you use those benefits, for your benefit! For folks outside of the San Diego area, I sell Laminine, the only product I know of, which prompts our own stem cells to do tissue repair and healing.

  5. Candy Sugarman says

    1) Who has an admin or team member who does the Social media marketing for them – but isn’t getting results and just needs some one-on-one training and SPECIFIC strategies for making their social media profile a money generated way to market?

  6. Therese Skelly says

    Love this idea Mary! Thanks for getting it started. I’d like more speaking gigs. I’m in AZ and would love to share with business owners/women ways to make more money, and do a better job selling from their heart in a really authentic way. Local is great, and/or I can travel.
    Thanks!

  7. Therese Skelly says

    Love this idea Mary! Thanks for getting it started. I’d like more speaking gigs. I’m in AZ and would love to share with business owners/women ways to make more money, and do a better job selling from their heart in a really authentic way. Local is great, and/or I can travel.
    Thanks!

  8. Johnye Nardin says

    Great idea, Mary! Who do you know that wants to buy or sell a home in the Phoenix area? I am a broker with 26 year experience. Most of my work has been done in the southeast valley: Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale. I love working with buyers to help them find their dream homes. I love working with buyers to help them find their dream homes, anywhere in the valley. I have experience working with banks to sell their repossessed assets.

  9. Johnye Nardin says

    Great idea, Mary! Who do you know that wants to buy or sell a home in the Phoenix area? I am a broker with 26 year experience. Most of my work has been done in the southeast valley: Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale. I love working with buyers to help them find their dream homes. I love working with buyers to help them find their dream homes, anywhere in the valley. I have experience working with banks to sell their repossessed assets.

  10. kellyjboyd says

    Great reminder!
    1. Do you know anyone that would like to try a more natural approach to their healthcare and get away from all the synthetics?
    2. Do you know any medical professionals that would like to learn more about a new clinical grade essential oil with proven clinical tests to share with their patients?
    Send them my way!

  11. kellyjboyd says

    Great reminder!
    1. Do you know anyone that would like to try a more natural approach to their healthcare and get away from all the synthetics?
    2. Do you know any medical professionals that would like to learn more about a new clinical grade essential oil with proven clinical tests to share with their patients?
    Send them my way!

  12. Tessa Alburn says

    As always, Mary, you are full of genius ideas!

    Have you run into anyone lately who is frustrated in their business and wants to launch a new group program? I’m helping entrepreneurs COMPLETE their programs and products, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it!

    Tessa Alburn, CEO of The Sound of Leadership.

  13. Tessa Alburn says

    As always, Mary, you are full of genius ideas!

    Have you run into anyone lately who is frustrated in their business and wants to launch a new group program? I’m helping entrepreneurs COMPLETE their programs and products, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it!

    Tessa Alburn, CEO of The Sound of Leadership.

  14. Marti Dobkins says

    Mary, you have such great ideas to share!
    Do you know anyone who is ready to get serious about their health and get the 7-13 recommended fruits and veggies every day? Not only can Juice Plus+ bridge the gap between what we’re supposed to eat and what we actually do eat., but you may be able to shed the extra pounds, too!
    Will keep my ears open for anyone who needs help in their business, Mary.

  15. Bob Wilson says

    Great idea Mary! Two things come to mind:

    First, I’m looking for groups or teams that want to improve their interaction and communication. My program is “Communicate With Clarity.”

    Second, I’m always looking for speaking gigs here in AZ or beyond. Two of my most popular topics are: (1) A Fresh Approach to Time Management and (2) The New Now (moving past procrastination). Thanks Mary!
    Bob

  16. Bob Wilson says

    Great idea Mary! Two things come to mind:

    First, I’m looking for groups or teams that want to improve their interaction and communication. My program is “Communicate With Clarity.”

    Second, I’m always looking for speaking gigs here in AZ or beyond. Two of my most popular topics are: (1) A Fresh Approach to Time Management and (2) The New Now (moving past procrastination). Thanks Mary!
    Bob

  17. Joan Laubach says

    Hi Mary,
    Thank you for such a great way to ask! I am looking for anyone who is turning 65 soon or has recently moved to Maricopa County (hint, hint all you realtors out there). I am a Medicare Specialist and I love sharing all the incredible Medicare options that we have here.

  18. Joan Laubach says

    Hi Mary,
    Thank you for such a great way to ask! I am looking for anyone who is turning 65 soon or has recently moved to Maricopa County (hint, hint all you realtors out there). I am a Medicare Specialist and I love sharing all the incredible Medicare options that we have here.

  19. Monica Nainsztein says

    Nicely done, everybody! Here’s mine:
    Do you know anyone who is terrified of speaking in public in Spanish? I train and support political candidates and spokespeople for non profits and for profit corporations before they go on stage/radio/TV. 🙂

  20. Monica Nainsztein says

    Nicely done, everybody! Here’s mine:
    Do you know anyone who is terrified of speaking in public in Spanish? I train and support political candidates and spokespeople for non profits and for profit corporations before they go on stage/radio/TV. 🙂

  21. Margo Braman says

    Hi all! Do you know anyone who is looking for a logo or graphic design for their business? I come up with fresh ideas for that rack card, tshirt or ad. Thanks a bunch!

  22. Margo Braman says

    Hi all! Do you know anyone who is looking for a logo or graphic design for their business? I come up with fresh ideas for that rack card, tshirt or ad. Thanks a bunch!

  23. Ginni Trask says

    Thanks for the second chance Mary. We are looking for any business who is getting started or wants to do some tweaking to their branding. Or maybe a business who needs fresh new website or wants to update their message. We are several independent businesses working in cooperation as Wizards of the Web. We provide everything from logo design, strategic planning, professional writing services, custom and mobile web sites, marketing and more. We pride ourselves on offering outstanding, quality services. Our motto is Our clients success is our success.

  24. Jody Seibert says

    Great idea and thank you, Mary! Do you know anyone who is looking for creative and exceptional accounting services in the Flagstaff Arizona area or beyond? I specialize in Xero and QuickBooks accounting.

    I am looking for exceptional clients and business owners who:

    • have set awesome goals for their business and want to track the financial results of those goals.
    • want to know each and every month what their financial report card says.
    • who want to understand what the financial statements mean.
    • who want to set up a budget and work to meet those goals as well as make necessary changes (lower expenses, etc).
    • who want to proactively manage the financial part of their business.

    Please send them my way!

  25. Jody Seibert says

    Great idea and thank you, Mary! Do you know anyone who is looking for creative and exceptional accounting services in the Flagstaff Arizona area or beyond? I specialize in Xero and QuickBooks accounting.

    I am looking for exceptional clients and business owners who:

    • have set awesome goals for their business and want to track the financial results of those goals.
    • want to know each and every month what their financial report card says.
    • who want to understand what the financial statements mean.
    • who want to set up a budget and work to meet those goals as well as make necessary changes (lower expenses, etc).
    • who want to proactively manage the financial part of their business.

    Please send them my way!

    • Monica | SpanishOne says

      Saludos, -m-

      Monica Nainsztein Rodríguez President & Language Maven

      SpanishOne 915 L Street, Suite C400 Sacramento, CA 95814 916.359.4539

      NOTICE: This message may contain confidential privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose, or take action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.

      On Tue, Sep 2, 2014 at 9:00 AM, Mary Cravets | Business Coach & Speaker