How do I get more referrals for my massage or bodywork business?

Welcome back to the Bodywork Business Book Series, where I scour through business books so you don't have to!

This is where you'll get my reviews and suggestions for must-read books to help you up-level your business, no matter what that next level is for you.

You know by now that I get jazzed not only about reading, but also about hooking you up with the perfect book.

So much of what's been written about business and entrepreneurship is wicked boring and tough to slog through. Fear not. I'll guide you to some true gems, so that whether you check them out from the library or decide to add them to your professional collection, you'll know you've got something that will work for YOU.

The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself

John Jantsch's Referral Engine has become a classic in the business marketing world. Originally published in 2010, the book goes in depth into how to generate word-of-mouth referrals for your business.

Bodywork therapists tend to think we have to give services away for free to generate referrals, but it's simply not so. Jantsch guides you through the entire referral process -- from why referrals are your best kind of advertising to laying the groundwork to make it easy for your clients to refer you to others.

Along the way, he gives lots of examples and practical suggestions that you can implement without having a business degree or spending a ton of cash.

I love what he has to say about networking events, which can be the bane of a bodyworker's SHOULD Do List:

"...networking at events attended by your ideal customers is still a great way to make some nice introductions and start gently spreading the word about your products and services. There is a bit of art to this... Keep these simple rules in mind and you will be fine: 1. Think "what am I here to give?" 2. Speak only to educate; don't try to sell anything."

From The Referral Engine

Though the book shows some signs of aging (it mentions MySpace.com!), the principles it teaches have stood the test of time.

If you struggle with feeling comfortable asking for referrals, or are just stumped about how to set up a referral program, you'll find a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration in this book.

You can tell Jantsch that I referred you ;)