How do you best establish credibility if you only have a couple of references and you're just getting started in the consulting businesses? This article will show you how to maximize the effect of the references you have and to get new ones.
For starters, make sure those references are as strong as possible and that you get them in writing-on your client's letterhead. They should also talk of specific benefits, like:
How your technology solution generates more revenue
How you've enabled them to close out the month faster
How you've improved their productivity
How it allows them to communicate with tele-workers, with suppliers, and vendors more seamlessly.
For IT marketing, it's important to make your references as strong as possible-if you only have a few of them.
IT Marketing: Getting Your First References
If you don't have any references, get them by volunteering. Pick a nonprofit or two that you feel really passionate about and set up some kind of deal that is close ended. You don't want to be volunteering your services for too long. As part of your deal, ask them to write a testimonial for you. Nonprofits are usually well known and their recommendation will help you.
How Do You Ask for Referrals?
Many people are shy about asking for referrals. We don't want to push our clients and we don't want to look needy. They are useful for our IT marketing efforts, though. So, what is the best way to ask?
Always ask for a referral when someone gives you a compliment. If you walk into an office or you're finishing up a project and someone says,