This is by far one of the best money making opportunities I've discovered. Companies are trying very hard right now to keep the advertising and marketing costs down and as a result, anyone with a computer and the internet can cash in on this opportunity. I did a search on referral programs for just an hour or so and came across some mind-blowing opportunities. For example, one company offers a $1500 reward just for referring them a good employee! Another offers $1000 for finding manufacturing companies that would like to save money on their overhead. Unreal!
Step2I would start by determining what types of companies you would be interested in, especially if you currently have a business you could share clients with. Then do a simple search of "___(industry)___" referral programs" and see what each has to offer. I ran into instances where companies offering the exact same services would offer far different referral bonuses, a difference of a $100 or more is possible, so don't go with the first company you find.
Once you have found a company that offers a preferable program, do your research. You will want to know exactly what they do and get an idea of what they charge. If one company is paying $20 for a referral and another is paying $100, odds are the company paying $20 is giving a much better price to customers. Also, be sure to read ALL fine print and terms of referral program. Most are easy to read and understand, some require a bit more searching to find all the details. From there, the company will either have a "Referral Page" where each time you will fill out your information, as well as the customer you are referring. The other option would be that the company will provide a dedicated link for you to refer potential clients to and you will be given a "Referer Number" to track your results.
Once you have your referral link, you can begin to post your advertisments for the companies on free advertising sites, message boards and on your website (if you have one). You can also join free forums that allow you to post advertising. The key to success is posting as many ads as possible. The law of average will always work to your advantage this way.
Tips and Tricks
- There are an overwhelming amount of companies offering referral programs, don't give up too easy if you really want to be able to refer a specific trade. Check different search engines and even contact companies you are familiar with and see if they currently have a referral program or would be interested in setting a program up with you.
- You can easily set up agreements with multiple companies at one time, allowing you to offer several products/services solutions and make unlimited income.
- Track your results whenever possible. If you've referred 100 potential clients and receive no compensation, there may be a problem with the honesty of the company and you will need to address this immediately.
