Location Owners referring their friends can create a network effect – they refer their friends, and over time the network of Location Owners in a city grows.
Location Owners should only be asked to refer their friends after they have been paid for at least one shoot at their location, and preferably two or three shoots. This allows for the relationship between the SP and Location owner to be better-established, and the SP has demonstrated a pattern of respecting their home.
Location Owners will only refer their friends if they feel respected, so the condition the home is left in at the end of a shoot day is critical to the success of this effect (but really, all interactions with Location Owners should be considered with this in mind).
Following up location referrals
Referral requests must be followed up a week or two later, and possibly again after that if the Location Owner has a positive reaction to the initial idea. We acknowledge that everyone is busy, and referring their friends to us is probably not a high priority in their lives.
Following up by SMS is appropriate if the initial contact about referrals was by face-to-face or email. An example followup SMS message is;
Hey Tony, wondering if you had any luck discussing your friends’ homes being possible locations for me to work at – did anyone seem interested or take the cards I left for you?
Often, Location Owners will not have taken action yet, but are ok to be politely followed up. If they indicate they have not gotten around to it yet, consider a response like;
No worries, perhaps I can check in again with you in a few weeks, is that ok?
Set a reminder for a followup message two weeks later.
Location referral fee
The company reimburses Shoot Producers €50 for a location referral, due after the new location is used the first time.
It is the Shoot Producer’s responsibility to pay this to the Location Owner at the correct time.
Leaving referral cards
We recommend leaving five Location Referral cards with the Location Owner, so they have something physical to hand over to possible Location Owners. With a pleasant design, these are intended to go on someone’s fridge, perhaps a conversation starter when visitors come around.
They can be handed out to interested parties, and contain the key info required.
[image of location referral cards, tbc]
Asking for referrals face-to-face
Asking Location Owners for friend referrals face-to-face is best – you make a good impression in person, you can answer their questions directly, and explain some of the benefits.
If they indicate they will try, mention that you will follow up with them in a few weeks.
Asking for referrals by text message
Consider using this template;
Hey Jess, thanks for letting me use you home again last Thursday – the shoot turned out well! You should have received payment by now, but let me know if not.
In the meantime, I am looking for new locations and I wonder if any of your friends might be interested. I left some referral cards on the kitchen counter to help with this, that you can give to people. I pay a small referral fee of €50 for each place you refer that I shoot at. What do you reckon?
Maybe they respond something like;
Oh, I had not thought of that – I think some of my friends would freak out, but two couples I know would be fine with it I reckon. We’re catching up next week, so I’ll ask them, and let you know!
An appropriate response is;
Awesome, thanks Jess – please do give them one of my cards, and I’ll follow up with you in a few weeks on this!
By letting the Location Owner know you will be following up, we don’t feel bad messaging them again in a few weeks!
Always set a calendar reminder so the followup is not forgotten!
Asking for referrals by email
Email is a little more “long form” than text messages, so we can have some more information and context.
Consider using this email template;
SUBJ: Referring your friends
Hey Jess,
Thanks for letting me use you home again last Thursday – the shoot turned out well! I attached a pic from the shoot (no nudity!). You should have received payment by now, but let me know if not.
If you’re open to it, I may need to book your home for another shoot later this month, but I’ll let you know about that next week I hope (still working out the details).
In other news, I am looking for new locations and I wonder if any of your friends might be interested. I left some referral cards on the kitchen counter to help with this, that you can give to people you know who might be interested.
I pay a small referral fee of €50 for each place you refer that I shoot at (paid after the first shoot day there).
Do you know some people who might be suitable and interested?
Best regards,
Alanis
As always, set a calendar reminder to follow up with the Location Owner in a week or two.