As a sales professional, whether you’re a real estate agent or in another field, your job isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about providing value at every step of your client’s journey. One of the most effective ways to stay top-of-mind and create long-term relationships is by offering a Preferred Vendors List. This curated list of trusted professionals not only helps your clients with their immediate needs but also demonstrates that you’re a reliable, go-to resource long after the sale.
Here’s why every sales professional should have a Preferred Vendors List and how to create one that enhances your business.
What Is a Preferred Vendors List?
A Preferred Vendors List is a directory of trusted service providers that you recommend to your clients. These vendors offer everything from moving services and home inspections to personal care and auto services. Each professional or company on your list has been vetted for their reliability, quality, and excellent customer service. By sharing this list, you help your clients access the best local experts, while simultaneously building business relationships that can lead to referrals.
Why Every Sales Professional Needs a Vendors List
1. Adds Tremendous Value to Client Relationships
Your clients depend on you not just for your expertise in your specific field, but for helping them solve problems and make decisions outside of it. By offering a Preferred Vendors List, you’re giving your clients a curated directory of trusted professionals. It’s an extra service that shows you care about their entire experience, long after the sale is completed.
2. Differentiates You from the Competition
In any competitive market, offering more than just your core services helps you stand out. A Preferred Vendors List shows that you’re invested in your clients’ overall satisfaction and willing to go the extra mile to make their lives easier. This added touch helps differentiate you from competitors who may not offer this valuable resource.
3. Builds Stronger Business Relationships and Referral Networks
Your vendors benefit from the exposure you provide, and in turn, they may refer clients back to you. By including them on your list, you’re creating a mutually beneficial relationship, which strengthens your local network and increases the likelihood of receiving client referrals from them. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
4. Positions You as a Local Expert
Maintaining a comprehensive vendors list means you stay connected with the best service providers in your area. This positions you as a knowledgeable local expert, giving your clients more reason to trust your recommendations—and your business.
Build Your Vendors List by Looking Around Right Now
One of the easiest ways to get started with your vendors list is by simply looking around your immediate space. Everything you see could represent an opportunity to add a valuable service to your list. Consider the following ideas:
- Walls and Paint: Painters and drywall repair services.
- Flooring: Flooring contractors for installation and repairs.
- Furniture and Decor: Furniture stores, interior designers, and home stagers.
- Windows: Window installers and cleaning services.
- Doors and Locks: Locksmiths, door repair, and installation professionals.
- Landscaping and Hardscaping: Landscapers, tree services, and patio builders.
Don’t limit yourself to home-related services. Think about your clients’ everyday needs, both inside and outside the home. Here are some additional service providers to consider:
- Hairdressers and Nail Salons
- Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, and Personal Trainers
- CPAs and Financial Advisors
- Auto Dealers, Car Detailers, and Mobile Car Wash Services
- Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters
- Personal Chefs and Catering Services
Your Preferred Vendors List can be as comprehensive as you want it to be. The more value it provides, the more often your clients will turn to you, even after their initial purchase or sale.
What Should Be on Your Preferred Vendors List?
Your vendors list should be easy for clients to navigate, with all the essential information included. Organize it into categories, such as moving services, home inspectors, and personal care services. Here’s a sample of how to present the information:
Sample Format for Your Preferred Vendors List
ABC Movers
Contact: John Doe
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: john@abcmovers.com
Website: www.abcmovers.com
Description: Local moving company specializing in residential moves. Offers packing, transport, and unpacking services with competitive rates.
This format ensures your clients can easily find and contact the vendors you recommend.
How to Present and Use Your Vendors List
Once you’ve compiled your list, there are several ways to present it, turning it into a powerful tool for both you and your clients:
1. Create a Booklet for Geographic Farming or SOI
Turn your vendors list into a beautifully designed booklet and mail it out to your geographic farm areas or your Sphere of Influence (SOI). This not only offers value to your current and potential clients but also showcases you as a well-connected, local expert. People appreciate resources they can refer to when they need trusted service providers, and your booklet could be something they keep on hand for months or years.
2. Include Advertisements for Your Services
When creating a booklet, take the opportunity to promote your own services. Place an ad for your business at the beginning, in the centerfold, and at the end of the booklet. This ensures that while your clients are browsing for recommended vendors, they’re also reminded of the high-quality service you provide.
Be sure to add yourself to the vendors list as well! For instance, under a “Real Estate Services” category, include your own contact information as a recommended professional.
3. Provide the Booklet to the Vendors Themselves
Distribute your vendors list to the service providers on the list. This not only shows them that they’re part of a high-quality network but also keeps you top of mind when they’re referring clients back to you. It’s a professional way to reinforce your business relationships and position yourself as a local leader.
4. Create a Digital Version
Offer a digital version of your vendors list as well. Whether it’s a downloadable PDF or a page on your website, a digital list with clickable links to websites, phone numbers, and email addresses makes it easier for your clients to use on the go.
Final Thoughts
A Preferred Vendors List is much more than a convenient tool for your clients—it’s a strategic asset for your business. By curating a list of reliable, trusted professionals, you add value to your client relationships, differentiate yourself from the competition, and build stronger partnerships with local vendors.
Whether you choose to present your list as a digital resource or a printed booklet, ensure that it’s well-organized and includes a variety of services that cater to your clients’ diverse needs. Don’t forget to include your own business in the list, and take advantage of the booklet format to advertise your services throughout.
Start building your Preferred Vendors List today, and watch how it elevates your business and strengthens your reputation as a go-to expert in your market.
