Ask for referals
by Andrew on 15/05/07 at 10:51 am
2 comments
Last week we had some burglar bars fitted in our office. The company, Burglar Bar Studio in Cape Town, quoted promptly, arrived when they promised, and delivered an all-round decent service. That was probably enough to ensure we said good things about them, but they did even better by sending us this letter:
The letter was hand-addressed, with a real stamp (remember what those look like?), so the novelty ensured that it was read. It is a simple request for us to refer anyone we know, but it worked. Heck, everyone who reads Ideate knows about them now! Total cost to Burglar Bar Studio – about R5.
We believe that physical letters (as opposed to SMS, e-mails, RSS and websites) have become a good way of standing out from the competition. E-mail has become a bit of a chore, but who doesn’t like receiving a letter with their name hand-written on it? That’s why I believe a company like Postful has good potential. They’re supposed to be launching internationally soon.
Andrew Smith is the pedantic systems guy behind Live Alchemy, a SA e-commerce company. Andrew writes for Ideate in an attempt to make the world a more efficient place. View more articles by Andrew.
Karin H.
May 15th, 2007
Hi Andrew
Good point (we use that too, letters I mean, asking to be recommended – and adding an incentive too for the person recommending us).
There’s another ‘trick-in-the-book’ to make sure when you refer this company to some else a contact is being made:
Don’t say: Oh, I know a good company that can install bars (and then only hand over the standard business card)
Make it personal: Do you want me to get you in touch with the company we use?
If you were happy with the service you received, you’re more than happy to make that little extra effort, not?
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Anastasia Titus
Nov 28th, 2007
Hi Andrew
We too Burglar Bars Studio regarding our security needs and never have i dealt with a more professional company.Their level of service was quite extraordinary and we also received a thank you card. They seemd genuinely grateful for our business. What a great company and i would definately refer them.