Archive for the ‘Referrals’ category

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Free! 300 plus networking meeting coming up

October 18th, 2010

On Nov. 1, I am attending a 300 plus networking meeting in Lynnwood. Bring your business cards and 30 second commercial and get prepared to meet people.

The key to this meeting is the follow up. After the meeting, send a thank you card and then call within a week to set up an appointment. When you have 300 plus people, you can’t sell anything. You just want to meet them and find something in common with them or better yet some problem they are having so that you can set an appointment to help them out.

Let me know if you want to go so I can register you. It’s Free!

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Posted in 30 Second Commercial, Networking Groups, Practice Networking, Referrals

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The Referral Engine

October 3rd, 2010

Ovaleye posted a review of the book The Referral Engine. I’m going to have to check it out. I’ve put a link back to their blog below. Here is an excerpt…

The Referral Engine
By John Jantsch

It goes without saying that referrals are one of the best and least expensive ways of obtaining customers. In this book the author, John Jantsch, provides great detail regarding identifying, attracting and maintaining referral sources. While the book is full of great information earning it a good rating, I like to also rate the books I read on how much buzz they create around the Ovaleye office. The relatively low buzz factor this time held the rating to a 4.

The final chapter of the book provided a good summary of what was learned in the previous chapters. Summarizing the summary even further it went about like this.

 Click here for full review

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Giving referrals – I did 10 in the last two weeks

June 15th, 2010

Part of my philosophy is, I don’t expect to receive a referral until I’ve given on. So, the big question is, how do I find people I can refer. I’ve been struggling with this question for quite some time.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve given out 10 referrals. It’s been the most I’ve ever done.

I started looking at the way I do business and asking myself, how can I try and get a referral for someone in my normal day to day business. I think I struck a goldmine, and I haven’t yet scratched the surface. For my business, I regularly meet with clients. I sat down and said what questions am I asking and how can I add one more question to generate a referral to a business partner. It’s worked so far.

Take a look at your business. Is there one thing you can do or say to find a potential referral?

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Posted in Networking Groups, Personal Musings, Referrals

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6 steps to turn your new contact into business (or give a referral)

May 27th, 2010

After you have met someone at a networking event – now what? Your follow up process is key.  Here are the steps I recommend.

  1. Send a thank you card. Thank the person for the time they spent with you. Include your business card.
  2. Put a reminder for you to call in one week to set up a coffee appointment.
  3. At the appointment, get to know their business better. Why did they start? What problems are they having? (You may not be able to help them, but you may be able to connect them to someone who can (opportunity to give a referral)) Don’t push your product. Just listen and taken notes. They’ll ask about your business so just be patient.
  4. Send another thank you note for their time.
  5. Review your notes and look for opportunities to help them. If you can’t help them that is okay. Ask permission to include them in your newsletter or some other form of contact.
  6. If you can help them, call and set up another coffee appointment. Show how you can help them.

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Two tips to get referrals

May 25th, 2010

First tip – give out referrals yourself. Look at your business and find a way to find out what your customers need. Maybe you can’t solve it for them, but you can give them a name of someone who can and let them know they will be calling.

Second tip – become the expert in your field. It’s not who you know, it is who knows you. Make sure you have a good reputation and that people can trust you. Overtime this will pay off big for you.

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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I’ve already met you – now what?

May 18th, 2010

I recently attended two networking groups where people kept asking the question, I’ve already talked to you, now what?

If you attend several networking meetings you’ll see that some of them have the same people who attend over and over again. So the question is, do you ignore them and only talk to the people you don’t know or do you go talk with them again?

For me, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the person better. Networking is about:

  1. building long term relationships
  2. finding ways to give referrals
  3. growing your own business

If you keep seeing the same people, you know they are committed to their business. You also have an opportunity to learn more about them and deepen the relationship (which will make it easier to refer them to others and easier for them to refer people to you.)

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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LinkedIn – how to use it for networking

April 27th, 2010

Check out these two videos about LinkedIn. I did several searches, but I had trouble finding one that I really liked. The whole point with linkedin is to connect professional. For me, the key is to build out your network – and then use your network to grow your business, find a job or find a referral to a local business.

To really use LinkedIn, you need to decide the businesses you want to connect with – job referral, business referral or a person who can help you connect with a job or potential client. The most powerful part of LinkedIn is the “Get Introduction” link. It allows you to use your network to be introduced to other people. Most often you can ask to meet the person, and they’ll usually accept because they get a personal introduction to you from your network. You get the face to face meeting, and the potential job, client or next introduction to your goal.

The key to LinkedIn is to use it. Search out those contacts and then ask to be introduced. If you’d like more information, let me know.

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Posted in 30 Second Commercial, Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Local Referal: Great Meeting space, wonderful Art

April 14th, 2010

Several weeks ago, I approached The Laurel Treeto host an event for me. They are a local art gallery that features local artists. The event was for a Duvall Chamber of Commerce activity where we delivery welcome bags to people who move into the area.

It was a fantastic event. They had everything set up the way I needed it. The art, jewelry, and paintings made an excellent decor. We even talked about a few of the pieces on display while we waited for people to show up. I highly recommend The Laurel Tree if you are in need of a meeting space, or are interested in finding a unique gift for a family member or friend.

Here is an Example of one the local artists they feature at The Laurel Tree. In addition, Dan Cautrell just happens to live in my neighborhood.

 

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Posted in Art Gallery, Gifts, Local Businesses, Referrals

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Yelp – who really uses it?

February 27th, 2010

I’ve been learning about Yelp. It appears a lot of people use it, and I’m curious, do you use it and why?

www.yelp.com

I think it fits well with what I want to do, rate various companies and refer good, quality companies to others. Please check it out and let me know what you think. My page can be found at http://bertmills.yelp.com.

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Posted in Local Businesses, Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Never Judge a Contact

February 26th, 2010

I was at a networking function last night put on by the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce. I spoke with someone for about 15 minutes. At first he wasn’t interested in what I did for a living. As we continued to talk, we found out that we live less than a mile away from each other. We also talked about the importance of networking and being involved in any organization you join.

At the end, we set a time to talk next week. Moral of the story – never judge a contact – you never know where it will lead you.

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Posted in Chamber Meetings, Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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