Quotations by Darryl Davis

Don't keep changing the gifts or customizing them. It's the same one over and over again. Bigger is better. Something like a microwave oven, a DVD player, automatic coffee maker, etc. They key is to use the same item for the next few years. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Farming is designed to generate future business. You should not start farming unless you have at least 500 people. Farming is more focused on doing direct mail. Delegate to someone the job of mailing 1,000 pieces a month. The main reason most farming efforts fail is lack of consistency. Eventually, after about a year or so, you'll start to get a steady flow of business from your farm. [2003] - Darryl Davis

The concept of perceived value: people have to think you're very successful. It's better to have one expensive-looking brochure than five shoddy ones. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Get a professional photo. This is very important. [2003] - Darryl Davis

People must see your message five to six times before they'll remember it. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Make sure you put your photo on your business card. Your photo should also be on everything--letterhead, envelopes, thank-you cards--along with your logo and slogan. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Consider giving your assistant a "powerful title" such as Marketing Coordinator or Customer Care Representative or Personal Administrator. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Before you hire an assistant, you save some money. Save for three months of her or his salary so it wont' be stressful for you when you hire. Also, put aside some funds, because when you hire an assistant, your production may go down the first 30 days as you're going to be spending all your time training your assistant. [2003] - Darryl Davis

You can do a flat 20% referral fee or a sliding scale. For instance, 10% if they just give you a name and telephone number but no real information or 20% if you get a name and number plus a whole background on these people. You could also do a sliding scale of 10% on the first two leads a month that someone is sending you, then jump it up to 20%, as an incentive. [2003] - Darryl Davis

Give a gift for every referral you receive. This could be chocolate, popcorn, or a clock. [2003] - Darryl Davis

The key with a newsletter, though, is to be consistent. If you're going to launch one, you must send it out regularly. Quarterly is probably the best way to go. [2003] - Darryl Davis