Released on = December 5, 2005, 4:03 pm

Press Release Author = Marketing Best Practices Inc.

Industry = Small Business

Press Release Summary = A recent small business marketing internet poll by
MarketingBestPractices.com showed referral marketing to bring the biggest bang for
the marketing buck. Over 36% of the small business owners who responded to the
survey claimed that referral marketing has the highest ROI of any other small
business marketing method.

Press Release Body = What marketing method do you invest the most time and money in
to grow your business? Well, you may want to reconsider the best use of your time
and finances if you aren\'t using the majority of your marketing budget in referral
marketing.

In a recent survey conducted by MarketingBestPractices.com, the respondents
resoundingly proclaimed that referral marketing gave them the biggest return on
their dollar.

Of the 210 respondents in the survey, 36% advised that referral marketing gave them
the biggest return for their marketing dollar. Given that referral marketing gives
you warm, viable leads, this should come as no surprise.

This survey should cause all small businesses to stand up and take notice and
redefine what their efforts are in the area of referral marketing.

The internet came in a very low second with 14% of the votes. Networking closely
followed with 13% and direct mail was fourth with only 12%.

David Frey, leading small business marketing expert comments that, \"This poll
demonstrates the importance of implementing referral systems. Most business comes
from referrals but only a very few small businesses actually have referral programs
in place.\"

Here are some tips to help small businesses get more referrals:

1. Have a \"referral mindset.\" Get in the habit of asking your clients or customers
for referrals.

2. Partner with other local businesses who already market to your audience to share
referrals.

3. Send referral cards to your customers and clients using www.SendReferralCards.com

4. Get out and meet people. The more people that know you the more referrals you\'ll
get.

5. Be \"referral worthy.\" Ultimately, people talk about companies that have exceeded
their expectations.

Based upon this survey, you should reconsider how you are using your marketing
dollar and start thinking outside of the box with referral marketing.





Web Site = http://www.MarketingBestPractices.com

Contact Details = David Frey