For businesses · 5 min read
Turning your accountant, lawyer and past clients into a sales channel
Fewer salespeople, more reach: how to set up a referral programme with the people who already know your market.
Your next sales team is already in your network
Hiring a salesperson in Lagos or Abuja is expensive and slow, and it takes months before they bring in a deal. Meanwhile the people around your business, such as your accountant, your lawyer, consultants you work with and happy past clients, already meet your ideal customers every week.
A referral programme doesn't replace your sales team. Introducers open doors, and your team closes the deal.
Who to invite first
Start with five to ten people who have sent you work before, even informally. Add professionals who serve the same clients but don't compete with you: an accountant for a law firm, an IT consultant for a cybersecurity firm.
Make it easy to recommend you
Write one clear sentence on what you sell and who it is for. Give introducers two or three pitch lines they can repeat honestly. Say what a good-fit client looks like and who is not a fit.
Tell them how fast you will respond. Introducers recommend firms that make them look good.
Then widen the net
Once your own introducers are working, list your programme on the Vouchd network so vetted introducers in your sector can ask to join. You review each one before they can introduce anyone.
Fewer salespeople, more reach.
Free for the first 30 days after approval.