If you work independently as a tradesperson, you will probably rely to a large extent on word of mouth to get new business.
But how should you go about getting more referrals? If you think you should be getting more, there may be a few ways that you can improve your service.
Here are some of the things that you can do to increase the chances that your customers will be happy with your service and recommend you to others.
Tidy Up After the Job Is Complete
You may think that your job ends once the task is complete, but your customers will be grateful if you spend a few minutes clearing up afterward.
It won’t take long, but it will make a positive impression. It allows you to provide a full service where you leave their home or office in the same state as you found it so there is less work for them.
Make sure you invest in cleaning equipment for this purpose and don’t expect your customers to always have the gear you need. That means getting yourself some brooms, plastic bags, and mop buckets (these will do), along with whatever else you need to tidy up properly.
Be Punctual
Nothing is worse than someone saying they will arrive to do the job at a certain time only to turn up hours later. It is disrespectful to your customers because they may have taken the morning off work or another activity to ensure they were in when you said you would be arriving. The least you can do is respect that.
Of course, things can get in the way, and previous jobs can go on for longer. But in this case, always call your customer to let them know that you are running late.
Punctuality is one of the most important qualities for customers, and they will be far more understanding if you tell them in advance when you will be late. It gives them the chance to do something else rather than sitting around and waiting for you to turn up.
Be Courteous On the Job
When you step inside someone else’s property, be respectful of this. They may find swearing offensive, or they might have young children, so avoid using bad language.
Be polite and watch your behavior, and your customers will be far more likely to recommend you.
Look the Part
If you turn up looking scruffy, your customers are going to get a bad first impression. Appearance matters, so make sure you look professional.
Wear a uniform of some kind, and always make an effort to look smart and clean, and you will make a good impression from the moment you arrive. Your customers are more likely to trust you if you look competent.
You may not think it affects the quality of your work, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you will make a better impression, and there is more chance that your customers will recommend your services as a result.
Start Getting More Referrals
These are just a few of the most important ways that you can start getting more referrals from your customers.
Always focus on doing your best, and respect your customers by turning up on time and cleaning up after the work is done. Then you should find that more of our customers start recommending you to their friends, helping to get you more business.
