Client Referrals: Megaphone or Muffler?

Just read a referral post on the blog of Kirsty Dunphey, an Australian entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, that really resonated.

Kirsty was referred to a particular store by two different friends. When she mentioned to the proprietors that she had been referred, they showed no interest in learning who these loyal customers were who had recommended the store to their friend. 

As Kirsty points out, had they asked and gotten this information, the owners could have sent a thank-you note to these raving fans, or called and thanked them, or even sent them a discount voucher for their next visit to the store.

"When someone refers a friend to your business," Kirsty explains, "you’ve just got yourself a walking, talking billboard going around advertising your business! What you do to thank them for doing your marketing for you can act as a megaphone or a muffler. Which would you prefer?"

Do you religiously follow up with every referral source and say thanks?  Do you send thank-you notes? Gifts?  If not, don't wait! Start now. Reward those raving fans for trumpeting you to everyone they know, and they'll trumpet even louder.