What’s the Secret to Getting Great Referrals?

Highly productive networking, for one thing. But exactly how does that work? Here are some answers, an unusual opportunity to put them to work—and just in time for the holidays, too.

The holidays are already on the horizon, and they offer many business and social opportunities for productive networking. Our recommended mantra—”Give Before You Get”—is in tune with the season. The question is “Just how can I do that?”

To get started, let’s ask a question:  Is networking—and getting referrals through networking–the lifeblood of selling? Many business-to-business salespeople would probably say “Yes!” We know that it makes up a large part of what we do here at Productive Strategies to maintain a flow of prospects—and it’s what just about everyone we work with in the business-to-business world does, too.

Much networking revolves around business-oriented activities—trade shows, educational or promotional presentations, breakfasts, “official” networking events, on-line channels (LinkedIn, for example). But social activities are also in play. In fact, a common question we get is “How can I turn a social activity into a business opportunity?”

In just about any form of networking, at least in our experience, the fundamental operating principle is “Give Before You Get.” How does that work?

Well, it’s similar to what the best shoppers do—you know, the people who have just the right birthday or holiday gifts bought, wrapped, and otherwise ready to go well before of the big day? Their secret is that they are  always shopping. Not buying, mind you, but shopping: They are actively paying attention to what’s being offered, what the prices are, where the best values are hiding—and, most important, what gifts might be right for whom. On-line or brick and mortar, it doesn’t matter. When they see something that’s right for someone on their list, they know whether they can buy it with confidence.

The same “always be shopping” principle applies to superior networking. It can’t be done well at the last minute. It takes time and commitment. But, like being able to completely enjoy the holidays because all gifts have been gotten, it does pay off.

Get Much Better Referrals for a Much Better New Year

Our in-depth workshop on Friday, December 2, can help you do just that. You’ll get answers to your most challenging questions and use real-life role play to put them to work in the field.

Here are just a few of the questions we hear from our clients.

“Do I even need to ask for a referral?”
“If so, who do I ask, when, and how?”
“How can I be seen as an expert?”
“Should I tell stories? How many? Which ones?”
“How can I network more efficiently?”

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Get Better Referrals Now: The Workshop
Answers those questions and many more.
The workshop is an in-depth experience in how to get business-building referrals the right way. And there’s virtually no other way to learn—and nail down—such an effective, proven process. You’ll build your personal approach with a personal workbook you can use again and again.

Get Better Referrals Now
Friday, December 2, from 8 a.m. to noon

Referrals can l ead to 80 percent of all your new business. But they take time—and a proven process that very few salespeople and other business developers know about, let alone profit from in the field.

One-Half Day Workshop, $750. Don’t be left out!
Northfield, Illinois

Get in touch with us at 847-446-0008 Ext. 1 or  pkrone@productivestrategies.com .

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Consider these networking best practices to be our early holiday gift to you, along with referrals that will probably result.

#1 Listen—and ask questions.  Amid social chit-chat, what might someone be telling you, either out loud or implied? When people say “Business isn’t great but OK,” for example, are they really saying they are having problems—marketing, sales, operations slowdowns, supplier issues? You can’t know without asking, “What do you mean?”

#2 Think purposefully about your contacts.  This group includes the obvious—customers, prospects, suppliers, and colleagues. But it also includes others that might not come so quickly to mind: friends, social acquaintances, relatives—people you’ve met recently, even people you’ve just met. The same thinking applies: What do they need and want? Who do you know that they might help? Either end of these pairings can also be people you’ve just met. (Think “degrees of separation.”)

#3 Make the match!  Introduce your complementary contacts. These introductions don’t have to be formal or detailed. A quick e-mail works or offer to set up a breakfast or lunch. You don’t have to foot the bill, but you can participate if you think it would help them or you. At an event, you can even get people together you’ve only just met—”Bob, I think you and Joanne have some things in common.” No need for you to say anything else or hang around. Just walk away.

Key Point:  Sincerely  attempt to  deliver value without expecting anything in return . If this sounds familiar, it’s because you also know it as “paying it forward” or, stretching the concept a bit, as a “random act of kindness.”

At the next level, the same thinking enables some salespeople to create value for prospects and customers before the sale. That’s because when they hear about problems, they associate that problem with a solution—and often with a solution provider they know if they don’t have a solution themselves. That provider is usually someone they’ve met before, but it could be someone that a colleague, friend, or customer has complimented or endorsed.

Key Point:  Some networking gurus are born with  the ability to create value through association with things they already know. But you can also develop it as a tool—a skill—by practicing it. Every time you meet someone, for example, actively think about other people with similar interests you could introduce them to. Or simply do it for anyone you talk to, even people you already know. (In addition to how to create value before the sale, it’s one of the things we teach in our popular consultative selling course, FOCIS®. It’s also more fully explained in the December 2 ^nd referrals workshop described in the box above.)

In addition, before scheduled events, be sure to prepare by:

Checking the attendee list , if possible. See whether you can help two or three specific individuals who are going to be there. You don’t have to know the exact issue an attendee might have. Just prioritize meeting those people whose businesses might benefit from your products or services. Keep in mind that you might know someone else who could help them or other attendees.

Coming up with topics and questions  to start conversations with your targeted individuals. There are also general questions that will work just about anywhere.

To learn more  about how to customize your personal approach to networking, just contact us at  847-446-0008 , or  pkrone@productivestrategies.com . And please consider attending our “Get Better Referrals” workshop on December 2 , which is described in the box in this column. Get ready for the new year now!

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