Last Updated on April 24, 2017

Who wouldn’t, right? You can give your House List (past clients, friends, family and acquaintances) and others 24/7 Access to send you referrals by setting up a simple “Referral Hotline System^™.” What is a “Referral Hotline System^™ (RHS)?” It’s a dedicated voice-mail system created exclusively for people to easily and conveniently send you referrals.  It’s cheap to set-up and folks can easily send you referrals anytime they so desire. Why is this important? Well, a past client, friend, family member or acquaintance may think of someone needing your services, and then forget about it if they have to wait for a convenient time to call or email. With an “always-on” hotline system, they can call immediately 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. And here’s the most important point: The sheer fact that you’re promoting your “24-hour Dedicated Referral Hotline” subtly reminds people that you work by referral in a way they’ll remember. Plus it’s so unique from what other agents do, it will set you apart in a very positive way.

Here’s how to set-up your referral hotline…

STEP 1: Rent a HOTLINE with a Dedicated Voice-Mail System

You should already have a hotline to capture new leads that come in from your promotions, but if you don’t have one, you can find one online (try this company).

STEP 2: Record a Simple SCRIPT for Callers

Here’s a suggestion:

“Hello, this is _____, and thanks for calling my dedicated referral hotline.  I created my hotline to help your friends and family save time and money when buying or selling real estate. My exclusive marketing systems and personal attention make buying or selling real estate easy and convenient.  At the tone, please leave the name and phone number of your referral, and also leave your name and number so I can keep you updated on our progress.  Thanks for thinking of me with your referrals!”

STEP 3: PROMOTE Your Referral Hotline

Keep in mind this service will be best received by people who know you, or know “of” you – I call this your House List.   But it can be promoted in lots of different areas, by simply mentioning your “Free 24-Hour Referral Hotline.”  Let’s face it, if you don’t ASK for referrals (in a professional way) you’ll never get them. Here are a few ideas (plus see some prepared copy you can use below):

• Use it with ALL your correspondence, such as in a “P.S.” of a letter…
• Create a slogan around your RHS and place it everywhere…
• Promote it with any Print or Email newsletters you send monthly – such as your Service For Life!^® newsletter (www.serviceforlife.com)…
• Put a snippet on the back of your Business Card…
• Use a snippet with any social media sights you use, or your blog…
• Make sure you place a message on your web site or any emails you send…
• Place a RHS message anytime you run homes ads – whether online or print…
• Use with any farming promotions you send…

The places to promote your RHS are really limitless. And you’ll be amazed – people WILL call it.  The more places you use your benefit-rich message, the more referrals you will get.

Here are a few benefit-rich messages, or “slogans” to help in creating your promotions for your RHS…

• Help a friend save time and money when buying or selling a home…Call my Dedicated Referral Hotline 24 hours at 999-9999, ext 1234.
• My business is built on referrals from people like you.  If you know a friend or family member thinking of buying or selling real estate, I’d like to help.  Simply call my 24-hour “Dedicated Referral Hotline” at 888-8888, ext 1234.
• Introduce a friend or family member to my Free Report, “Sell Your Home For All It’s Worth, NOW!” simply by calling my 24 hour Referral Hotline at 888-8888, ext 2222.  I’ll rush their report out to them.

Bottom line: Every agent should have a referral hotline – if for no other reason than the process of promoting it makes you unique and puts you top-of-mind for referrals. Plus, I frequently tell agents that the more “marketing systems” you have working in your business, the more clients you’ll generate, and the greater your production. Look at your business as a wagon wheel and spokes:  The more spokes you have, the stronger your wheel.   Your RHS is a powerful “spoke” that will pay for itself many, many times over, and help you create a lasting, ever-growing production in real estate. Oh…and do I REALLY need to say this?  Yes I do (well, for some agents at least)… Don’t forget to, CHECK your hotline regularly, immediately CALL the referrals you get, AND to reinforce the “referral behavior” of those who send you referrals by:

1. Keeping them posted on the status of the transaction,
2. Showing your sincere appreciation for their confidence in you, and…
3. Finding a way to reciprocate the behavior.

Promise me you’ll get yours created today, and that you’ll Promote it, OK? You’ll be glad you did!