Partnering with local business to trade clients?

[tankman1989]

Is there any way to work with local businesses to refer clients? I was thinking something like real estate agents, building contractors, etc. What other businesses might be able to offer client referral to IT support /computer support companies?

 

[red12049]

Is there any way to work with local businesses to refer clients? I was thinking something like real estate agents, building contractors, etc. What other businesses might be able to offer client referral to IT support /computer support companies?

Not quite sure what you mean here. We have other businesses refer folks to us all the time, and vice versa. It's all informal, and based on reputation and trust. Are you looking for something more formal?

Rick

 

[tankman1989]

Not quite sure what you mean here. We have other businesses refer folks to us all the time, and vice versa. It's all informal, and based on reputation and trust. Are you looking for something more formal?

Rick

Yeah, I'm looking for something like a real estate agent sells a house and says "Here is a card for a really good local IT guy if you have any computer problems"

Or a builder/contractor does something similar and says if you need networking setup, give these guys a call, they will give you a 10% referral discount if you mention us" or something like that..

If I were a vetrinarian I might recommend good groomers or kenels or dog walkers/watchers. you know?

I'm looking for some symbiotic business which I could work with.

 

[Martyn]

Anyone who comes to my house for maintenance such as my window cleaner and central heating engineer know what I do and refer me and vice versa. I always have a good rapport with them. I also have cards in a couple of shops one a Beauty salon that has given me a couple of jobs.

 

[acesdeals]

Being too aggressive with advertising could say you are desperate

I personally dont over advertise and figure having an honest business over time my name will spread

 

[red12049]

Yeah, I'm looking for something like a real estate agent sells a house and says "Here is a card for a really good local IT guy if you have any computer problems"

Or a builder/contractor does something similar and says if you need networking setup, give these guys a call, they will give you a 10% referral discount if you mention us" or something like that..

If I were a vetrinarian I might recommend good groomers or kenels or dog walkers/watchers. you know?

I'm looking for some symbiotic business which I could work with.

Perhaps the easiest way is to get in with Welcome Wagon & ValPak.

Rick

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Is there any way to work with local businesses to refer clients? I was thinking something like real estate agents, building contractors, etc. What other businesses might be able to offer client referral to IT support /computer support companies?

Yes...yes there is. Find a local BNI chapter. Become a member of a local Chamber. You get to rub elbows with local business people in your area, get to know them, and importantly...they get to know you.

The best source of referrals I've had for getting me business clients is Accountants. They go work onsite at their clients...working on their accounting systems, they drive the need for their clients accounting systems, which in turn...calls for upgrades, networks, servers, and..hey, an IT guy!

If you want to get someone that will refer you to home PC users, get to know your local ISP install guys. Easy with local cable companies..they always have a small regional office in your area. Get to know the girls that answer the phone there also.

Remember this..."It's all about networking!" And I'm not talking about ethernet...

 

[twincountycomputers]

Yes...yes there is. Find a local BNI chapter. Become a member of a local Chamber. You get to rub elbows with local business people in your area, get to know them, and importantly...they get to know you.

The best source of referrals I've had for getting me business clients is Accountants. They go work onsite at their clients...working on their accounting systems, they drive the need for their clients accounting systems, which in turn...calls for upgrades, networks, servers, and..hey, an IT guy!

If you want to get someone that will refer you to home PC users, get to know your local ISP install guys. Easy with local cable companies..they always have a small regional office in your area. Get to know the girls that answer the phone there also.

Remember this..."It's all about networking!" And I'm not talking about ethernet...

local cable company is GREAT, most of the local tech will recommend me and I have received several new customers from them. the accountant is great also.

 

[rsarceno]

I talk to a lot of people and I get positive result form BNI. The only complaint is commitment. I was planning to join my local BNI but can commit on weekly meeting because I travel.

Chamber of Commerce is good but you have to be somewhat active.

Lions and other local nonprofit group is a good source, But you need to be sponsor to join. You normally have first dibs. But be warned, because your a group member people expect cheap or sometime free. Most of them will barter which is not too bad.

I know a lot of ISP cabling/installer guys for both Public and Private sectors. I got a lot of referrals from them but it's not cheap. Lot of these guys can troubleshoot but limited to basic stuff.

Business and Franchise Seminars. Big event and lots of people. I talked to a lot of Franchise owner and end up giving their my business card. I got a few clients. Will do it again this year.

 

[callthatgirl]

I have done this, on a formal level. I offer 20% back on the job from those that refer us. To be honest...it works, but people stop the marketing after awhile and 20% off a $99 remote job isn't much and people generally stopped sending referrals.

It's difficult to do cross referrals too because the only people that really benefit from me are website guys, server techs and my online affiliations. I don't really have the time to ask my clients, "so are you looking at buying a house soon, if so call John Anderson"....the conversations need to flow for a good referral to come out. Computers are a hot topic everywhere, so we are lucky we are in a world that gets us referrals often.

 

[gikstar]

+1 on BNI, We are members of groups in two different cities.

The nice thing about this group is that you will be the only computer tech in the group... that is part of their rules. There is only one Real Estate agent, one Dentist, one Accountant etc.

You want to join the group that has the largest number of members.

By the way, if/when you call the local chapter let them know you would like to 'be considered for membership'. When you are a member you will be asked to bring others to the group meeting to be considered for membership.

There is a weekly commitment, but you can have a substitute to represent you who knows your business.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

+1 on BNI, We are members of groups in two different cities..

Yeah we do the dual approach too...my colleague is a member of one chapter, and I'm a member of another chapter the next town over. Get good thick coverage in the area our office is in. I also transferred chapters...so exposing us to a 3rd chapter.

 

[nesrinamb]

I partnered with local website guys and a programmers that i know that refer me as well.

When it comes to partnering with accountants and other people who are not in the tech business I haven't done that yet but I'm thinking of asking them if I can leave a stack of business cards in their office and in return I would give them a link form my site to theirs and add them to my list of clients on my website. Well at least thats currently the idea but haven't gotten around to it.