A rising tide lifts all boats
Your business model on steroids
If you want to take your business to the next level, it's important to start thinking about building a network of ambassadors. Your network is an extension of you and will help elevate your business in several ways, allowing you access to new leads and additional marketing strategies. Additionally, a strong network can provide valuable support and advice when you need it most. The Ivy platform has the solutions you need to develop a solid ambassador marketing strategy.
An example scenario
You are a new real estate agent who helped a new homeowner close on their first home. You provided excellent service, and they would recommend you to friends and family. Months go by, and you haven't received any new referrals.
New referrals are the lifeblood of your business and the most significant part of your marketing strategy. So what happened? Nothing, the new homeowner is getting settled into their home, and life is good... for them.
Let's assume the same scenario but this time using the Ivy platform. Right from the first conversation, you start collaborating with your new client, sharing homes, creating collections, and collaborating with them and anyone else they've added.
More than a home search app
Your new client quickly realizes Ivy is more than just a search tool. Your client discovers familiar influencers, builders, and tons of inspirational content. The process continues smoothly, but this time the potential homeowner is working with your preferred mortgage broker, who quickly pre-approves them.
Moreover, the now pre-approved homeowner has visibility into any additional items needed to satisfy the loan requirements.
Meanwhile, throughout the process, you are getting updates on major milestones and important dates so you can stay in the know.
A white glove experience
You can fast forward, and your homeowner is moving in two weeks. Our powerful conversational concierge AI will now engage with your homeowner to help transfer home utilities and provide insights into other options like TV, Internet, Pest control, Solar, Moving service, etc.
This process is 100% focused on making the transition from one home to another frictionless. We pass on most of the commission and residual monthly kickbacks if new customers sign up for new accounts.
Enjoyable experience
Fast forward to move-in day; utilities have been transferred, tv and internet are connected and ready... perfect. The Ivy platform has elevated your services to world-class status and made your job easier.
More new customers, no extra effort
We're not done yet. Let's fast forward six months; you received four new referrals, but how? When the new homeowner moved in, they received a notification indicating a new home was added to their profile.
Driving growth from the home
This new home profile provides insights into their home value, energy efficiency score, loan information, available rebates, important documents, and so much more. Most importantly, they can see who their home team was for this transaction.
Staying relevant and top of mind
The homeowner can easily find your profile and share it with anyone needing a rockstar real estate agent or mortgage professional. Your amazing services keep you top of mind, and you are now on a platform the consumers love, making you more accessible when they need you. Your network of preferred professionals fuels your growth and provides meaningful value to your clients. When a homeowner needs a great plumber, they can check your preferred pro list. When someone needs an agent, they can check and look to preferred professionals from trusted network members.
Value added
This example perfectly illustrates what it means to be an area expert. Your connecting your client with the best professionals and services, making your brand and services more powerful. The most important thing is that you are now relevant post-closing, increasing the lifetime value for each new client.
A quick recap
You provided best-in-class tech
Made the process way more enjoyable
Increased referrals by 4x
Added value to your new customers and local businesses. (All ships rise)
Strengthened your brand and awareness
Made more money
Increased deal flow because you can provide value for homeowners during the 8-10 years they live in the home.
This scenario clearly illustrates the power of clients and professional ambassadors. Your job became easier, and you increased deal flow and profits without compromising your brand or quality of service. Win-Win.
Possible ambassadors
Industry professionals
Building a professional network of ambassadors can initially feel overwhelming. Still, you will soon realize that the home industry is filled with talented professionals looking to provide their clients with the best service and likely already know the power of ambassadors.
General Public
I know this is a broad category, but the truth is anyone can be an ambassador. People with influence are preferred, but they are a smaller segment of society. Generally, you'll need to either have a good relationship with them or begin the long process of establishing a new relationship. Ivy makes acquiring new customers as easy as sharing your professional profile.
How to find ambassadors
Start with your current network
Identifying potential ambassadors is easier than it might sound. The best way is to start locally with personnel and professionals you know. Once you have established a good baseline network, expand it by asking friends and family for referrals. You can already see the power of the network in this example.
Don't be shy
Local networking events are a great way to meet like-minded people and new customers. Be proud of what you do and the services you provide and bring energy and enthusiasm to every conversation. More customers and new opportunities will be attracted to your positivity.
Teach
A part of your business plan should include education; this can include online videos, blog posts, speaking opportunities etc. Not only are you helping your industry and potential customers, but you are also solidifying yourself as an industry expert. Do your research, and provide meaningful content that provides new knowledge.
Perception is reality
The key to success will rely heavily on your brand and reputation. Spend time doing market research to identify your target market and then build your preferred network around your audience's interests. Take advantage of opportunities to get exposure, and then put your best foot forward.
Drive new opportunities to your network
Once you have found professionals that you are willing to refer to your clients, start referring them. The more business you refer, the more likely that home professional will be to refer your business. The trick is to do all of this on a platform that gives exposure to both professionals. The Ivy app is the perfect platform to build your ambassador program because we expose the right information to a vast consumer base when and where it matters most.
The benefits of working with ambassadors
The advantages of working with ambassadors are clear. With deal flow coming your way in the form of referrals, you don’t have to worry about expensive customer acquisition costs.
Additionally, these customers come pre-sold on your brand and are highly motivated to stick around for the long haul – meaning increased customer lifetime value! You can’t say no to that deal!
In short: working with ambassadors can be a real shortcut to success.
Small business owners can grow their revenue and market share by helping other businesses. At first, this might sound counterintuitive but changing your mentality from a zero sum game to an abundance mentality will create more loyalty and trust which result in more customers. must become ambassadors for each other's businesses and build a trusted network.
By becoming individual ambassadors, we can provide our clients with an entire package of services—which means they get the best deals while also helping us increase deal flow.
The key is to find the right ambassadors and keep them interested in your services. Ensure you’re sharing useful insights or information with them so they can be as successful in promoting your business as you are at providing value.
Ivy’s platform is the perfect tool to get started. You'll be surprised at how simple Ivy makes increasing your business’s deal flow. Start building an ambassador program today and watch the tide rise!
Building a successful client ambassador network
We've talked about professional ambassadors, don't forget about client ambassadors. Client ambassadors are typical existing customers, they appreciate the services you provide and are willing to share your information with their network.
To grow your business, you need to increase customer retention. You need more than just getting new customers for your business to grow. You also need to keep your existing customers engaged and coming back.
When you increase customer retention, you're building customer loyalty, which can increase sales. Considering it costs five times as much to get a new customer as it does to existing customers, retaining customers should be a key focus in your growth strategy. Here are some helpful tips on how to build a successful ambassador network.
Become the expert. You want your clients to feel like they are working with the best in the industry. Show you are the expert by sharing insightful industry-specific insights relevant to current trends and markets.
Surround yourself with the best. Surrounding yourself with the best professionals gives you and your brand credibility. This will also help gain confidence with potential customers.
Know your target market. This might take some work, but knowing your target market will considerably affect your growth. When building a successful ambassador network it's important to know your target market because it will help narrow your focus to provide higher-impact content and relationships.
Use the power of social media platforms to establish your online persona and expand your personal brand influence. New customers will be looking for reasons why they should work with you over your competition, so give them as many reasons as possible.
Share the wealth. When you make money, share it. A solid customer loyalty program will give your existing customers the extra nudge they might need, plus it shows that you care about them and their willingness to help grow your business.
Just start
You now have all the information you need to identify potential ambassadors in your field and build your ambassador network on Ivy. The benefits of working with ambassadors are immense and can be leveraged to drive unprecedented growth for your business. Plus, Ivy makes it easy to get started — create an account today and tap into influencers' power! And once you find those perfect ambassadors, don’t hesitate; empowering them could be the difference between a fantastic venture and a failed one. So why wait? Get started on Ivy today and let the ambassadors take your business to unimaginable heights!
