Additional revenue stream

Your clients trust and respect you and if like me don’t you sometimes feel like the 4th emergency service (or yell.com)?Clients always ask me if I can recommend anything from roofers to dog walkers. You name it at some point I have been asked it! Helped a client find a very exclusive sports car to even a buyer for a run down house and everything and I mean everything in-between and in some cased what I would class as being on the fringe of society but do draw the line at illegal stuff!Funny that when I have passed on “work” it tends to be a one way street.Now I’m a nice kind of guy and will help anyone and if I do recommend someone I always like to see that everything works out okay. It gets a little time consuming so should I get rewarded for it?Now we all know other professionals in different trades which our clients want and or will need at some point - this could be a useful opportunity as an additional revenue stream and everyone could win by charging a small “finders fee” or commission.Don’t dismiss this option out right. Do the maths, if we charged 1 – 5% fee to the contractors on every job we referred that turned into clients it will help build a nice contingency fund.The same could apply by us paying commission on any referrals they give to us.Most of us have looked into Rated People and other lead generating sites for which you pay for the client details and no guarantee of getting the work, is it any different? Yes before you ask I have done BNI but it wasn’t for me and you have to pay to join their group.Now before everyone shouts Judas and the moralists get on their high horse that we should be doing this as “customer service”, I am not about to sell my client list to the local house burglar or rip off merchant. Nor select only companies that would pay the highest commission.Now I wonder if I could back date the finders fees?

Replies

Classic Gardens June 9, 2009 at 8:14pm

Hmmmm now thats a good idea

Like you iam always asked for the names of local or trustworthy trades people Ive always asked for a drink if they get the job and iam often rewarded with a bottle of somthing.
Graeme @ BGS June 9, 2009 at 8:32pm

I'm just too nice (or soft) to ask for a drink!

It's not so much the other gardening work more the unrelated trades I was thinking off. I recently recommeded a small locally owned double glazing company to a client and they had the whole house done including a summer house! £20K of work.

The other one that really got my goat up was a client wanted a car and I found it for him. When I used the garage for a quick repair they charged me full price!!
Graeme @ BGS June 9, 2009 at 9:22pm

Totally agree.

If anyone finds this particular post useful, please donate £1 to Phil who will then pass on my commission. BGS minor is looking to go to the States for three weeks this summer. She wants a holiday but I have my eye on a nice new mower :-)
claudia de yong June 9, 2009 at 9:29pm

Hope you know I have a little pressie for you- or Leo does!! Seriously though you will be ok with me I will look after you. I will go with little BGS to America!!

BGS LTD said:
Totally agree.

If anyone finds this particular post useful, please donate £1 to Phil who will then pass on my commission. BGS minor is looking to go to the States for three weeks this summer. She wants a holiday but I have my eye on a nice new mower :-)
Graeme @ BGS June 9, 2009 at 9:34pm

claudia de yong said:
Hope you know I have a little pressie for you- or Leo does!! Seriously though you will be ok with me I will look after you. I will go with little BGS to America!!

Oh gosh - this post wasn't directed to anyone on this site or was I dropping hints.
Little BGS and you States side together that would be trouble. Her sense of humor is on par with yours and she is only 14!
PRO

Phil Voice June 9, 2009 at 9:42pm

Good points Graeme

A little bit here and a little bit there - this is how I make my living now.

I am managing a project here in France where by I am being paid a percentage of the whole project as a management fee.