Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits (2024)

Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits (1)

For companies wondering whether their referral programs are accomplishing anything other than giving established customers some extra cash, our research provides some reassurance: A customer referral program can in fact be strikingly profitable. We studied 10,000 accounts in a large German bank over a period of three years, and found that customers obtained through referrals […]

For companies wondering whether their referral programs are accomplishing anything other than giving established customers some extra cash, our research provides some reassurance: A customer referral program can in fact be strikingly profitable.

A version of this article appeared in the June 2011 issue of Harvard Business Review.

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Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits (2)

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Read more on Marketing or related topic Financial service sector

  • PS

    Philipp Schmitt is a graduate of the business and economics doctoral program at Goethe University, in Frankfurt;

  • BS

    Bernd Skiera is a chaired professor of electronic commerce there.

  • CB

    Christophe Van den Bulte is an associate professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Marketing Essentials. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

Learn how to communicate with your customers—strategically.

Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits (5)

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Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits (2024)

FAQs

Why Customer Referrals Can Drive Stunning Profits? ›

Customer referrals are incredibly valuable because they come from a place of genuine enthusiasm and positive experience, rather than a company-led sales pitch. Plus, people are more likely to trust a recommendation from someone they know over traditional marketing or advertising.

Why can customer referrals drive stunning profits in Harvard Business Review? ›

Because these new customers are good matches, they quickly find features they want and are willing to pay for. They require fewer marketing efforts than nonreferred new customers, so they generate more revenue at a lower cost.

Do referral programs increase profits? ›

Customers acquired through a referral program have been observed to exhibit higher margins and lower churn than customers acquired through other means.

Why are customer referrals important? ›

Lead conversion: Client referrals can help with lead conversion because prospective clients often trust the recommendations of people they know, which makes them more likely to purchase a company's products or services.

What is the power of referrals in sales? ›

Sales referrals help bridge the trust gap between you and the referred prospect. According to Nielsen, people are four times more likely to buy when referred by a friend - and 92% of us trust referrals from people we know. Without a referral, you're a stranger. A prospect has no basis for trusting you.

Why are referrals so powerful? ›

According to Nielsen, 83% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over other forms of advertising. Referred customers have a 16% higher lifetime value compared to non-referred customers. The conversion rate for referrals is 3 times higher than the average lead conversion rate across industries.

How effective are customer referrals? ›

Referred Customers Have a Longer Lifetime Value

Brand advocates who make referrals are more likely to make a purchase, more likely to buy, and have a higher average order value than consumers obtained in other ways: 54% more likely to make another purchase. Four times more likely to buy.

What are the benefits of referral? ›

You'll gain high-value, trusting customers

Personal recommendations go a long way in building trust and are perceived to be more reliable than advertising. New customers who are referred by a close friend or family tend to be more trusting and loyal, making them high-value customers.

How do referrals make money? ›

By sharing products or services with your friends, family, and network, you can earn commissions on each successful referral. Referral programs are a popular way to earn money by promoting products or services to others.

How impactful are referrals? ›

Although employee referrals don't guarantee a job, they can increase the odds that a recruiter or a hiring manager will see your application. Internal recruiters are thankful for employees who refer candidates because it reduces half of their work, especially searching for the right fit.

Why do companies prefer referrals? ›

Companies prefer to use employee referrals because they're budget-friendly. Job boards and career sites charge fees to post positions. Those fees can add up with multiple open jobs. About 51 percent of employers saw less recruiting costs with employee referrals.

What are three common reasons for a referral? ›

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist for many reasons. They may refer you because they think you need more care than they can provide, because you have a complex health concern, or because they think you will benefit from a different type of care.

What is the impact of referrals? ›

Customers are less likely to be lured away by competitive offerings because the trusted referral source already anchored them to your brand's superior value proposition during their purchase decision. Referred customers are 54% more likely to make another purchase.

Why are employee referrals such a huge advantage? ›

Reduced Time in Recruiting Process

Employee referral programs can save a company time and money by reducing the need for extensive advertising and recruiting efforts. Additionally, the hiring process may be shorter since referred candidates are often pre-vetted by the referring employee.

Why is referral traffic good? ›

Benefits of referral traffic include: Improved brand exposure and recognition. Better SEO through consistent backlinks. Development of networking opportunities and future leads.

Why are referrals and testimonials so important in sales? ›

Both referrals and testimonials are valuable because they show that your customers are satisfied, trust you, and are willing to vouch for you. Referrals & testimonials build trust. They drive sales and customer loyalty. Happy clients refer friends.

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