[Cochran]

Has anybody implemented or thought about implementing a customer referral program? If so, what are some of the things you're doing and pros/cons of the program?

We get 90+% of our business from referrals so I'm thinking of a way to reward my past clients for keeping me fed!

This is kinda the outline of the way I want to approach something like this:

-Reward would be based on amount of services referred client has us install. For example, we offer Landscape, Irrigation, Lighting, and Stone Work so each service provided would help go up the scale

-Price minimum (ex. $2000 or more--prevents folks who want to buy one pallet of sod or one large palm from getting to participate)

-Thinking of keeping it simple, maybe a Visa Gift Card or a Gift Certificate to a nice restaurant or store.

The thought is that my current clients will (continue) to refer us and maybe even more enthusiastically knowing they can benefit from the referral, and new clients will continue to spread the word knowing they can benefit from hiring us to install their landscape, etc.

I don't advertise in yellow pages or newspaper, so in theory I would budget this as advertising dollars and use the money for the customer referral program rather than mass advertising.

I know I need a basis for the program so I'm not throwing out referral rewards for low money expenses.