I don't know anyone to refer you to.

Originally Posted by vegamario from now on every person you meet, is a oportunity for you to make a sale some day

I am just starting in the sales industry and this is SOOOO true!

I have only been doing this for a month now and I have already ran into 3 people who I thought would never have a need for my product or service and have found out that they are connected with someone who does need my product/service! Its an amazingly small world- someone once told me "Watch whose toes you step on today because they may be attached to the butt you have to kiss tomorrow."

Originally Posted by Tabetha16 I am just starting in the sales industry and this is SOOOO true!

I found this to be true too.

Originally Posted by Tabetha16 Its an amazingly small world- someone once told me "Watch whose toes you step on today because they may be attached to the butt you have to kiss tomorrow."

You never know.

I am the Sales Manager for a small Collection agency, and we do telemarketing, mailers, and cold calling to get most of our business. I have not really had my people ask for referals, and I don't know how to go about it, because in every other sales position I've had, we weren't to ask for referals at the time of the sale, the company would follow up after the product was installed, or service had been rendered. What are your tips for getting referals if you've never done it before?

My first plan of action is to get a list of all of our current clients and call them asking for referals.

Secondly I am wondering if when we telemarket a business and they have no need or they're not interested, if we should ask them if they know of anyone who would be having a problem...?

Thirdly Should we do the same in a cold call?

And do you have any other ideas that might help?

Originally Posted by Thomas I looked and didn't see this talked about before so I'll ask. Do you find that a lot of people don't know of anyone to refer you to? Does that happen a lot?

Sure, if you give them a reason to say that.

And typically they will provide that reply when
they feel cornered or surprised by your request for
referrals.

This is why you need to plant the seed, and tell
them you want to discuss referrals with them
and then gain permission to brainstorm together.

At a later time (like tomorrow, for ex)

Good luck.