Level Up Your Networking!
Mini Tour 9: 6 Ways to Link Your Referrals
What is a referral? A referral is an opportunity, presented to you in a way that allows you to be in front of a person that will benefit you. The most important aspect of a referral is the connection that is made between three people, not two.
If Mary knows headshot photographer Bob, and Mary also knows brand new business owner Kyle, who is looking to get his headshot taken, Mary could hand over Bob's business card to Kyle and say, "Call Bob, he's good."
What Bob has been given is a lead at best. However, if Mary truly wants to send Bob a referral, she'll work to connect Kyle to Bob in a meaningful way. Mary is key. Mary should stay in the process as long as she can, to ensure Bob at least has an opportunity to be in front of Kyle. "In front of" doesn't always mean in person, but it does mean significant exposure to.
Read 5 ways to help those you refer to others actually get the chance to connect with the person they are being referred to.
Ask your person if she is willing to be contacted by the business owner.
Ask your person the best way the business owner should contact her, by email, text, etc.
Set up a lunch or coffee date with the three of you. During the meeting, ask questions that allow the two people you are connecting to become curious about each other.
Let your people on both sides of the referral know that one will be contacting the other.
Give the business owner as much information you can about your person and the circumstances surround the need for the service or product.
Follow up with both sides of the referral and seek to learn how the event turned out, and if the experience was a good one overall.
Go network my friend, and remember;
Those referrals means so much when we pass them to those we know, like, and trust. Get into the habit of sending referrals and your network will be strong.
Faithann Basore and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 9 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.
Got networking questions? Email me at [email protected].
