53: Utilizing a professional network for business

How do you ask for referrals from your networks?

As an entrepreneur, building a solid referral network can be a game-changer for your business. But how do you approach people for referrals and speak confidently outside your comfort zone? Explore in this episode the tried-and-true methods for setting up a referral network that works. 

 

Tune in to discover the essential components of building referral networks successfully with different types of connections you already have- employees, friends, businesses, etc. 

These approaches work whether you are new to networking or an experienced pro. Listen in!

Resources linked to this episode:

Strategies for Effective Online Networking: https://www.tonikabruce.com/free-stuff/ 

 

The Call-to-Action program: https://www.tonikabruce.com/cta/ 

 

#ReferralNetwork #CoachingPodcast #TonikaBruce #BusinessGrowth #BusinessTips #Networking #Podcast #BusinessCoaching #mondaymotivation

 

SHOW NOTES

Every entrepreneur knows that a solid referral network can be a game-changer for the business. The big question is, how do you approach people for referrals and speak confidently when they are not your close connections or people you know personally? We'll explore tried-and-true methods for setting up a referral network that works.

 

Begin by learning strategies for asking for referrals from different types of networks like customers, employees, partners, and reciprocal/cross-referrals. 

 

Here are some key points covered in this episode:

1. Identify different types of networks and connections you already have.  
2. Create a strategy for asking for referrals.  
3. Build trust and rapport with your connections to enhance the effectiveness of your referral network.  
4. Follow up and show gratitude for the referrals you receive.

 

Links to the valuable resources mentioned in the episode:

- Strategies for Effective Online Networking https://www.tonikabruce.com/free-stuff/ 

- The Call-to-Action program https://www.tonikabruce.com/cta/ 

 

Engage with us by leaving comments or reviews. Share your experiences and thoughts on building referral networks. How have they helped your business? What challenges have you faced? 

Join us next time when we delve into more discussions relevant to entrepreneurs looking to succeed in today's fast-paced world. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Get your free guides and ebooks to get started with your business.. https://www.tonikabruce.com/free-stuff/ Follow me on: https://www.instagram.com/tonikacoach https://www.facebook.com/leadercoachbruce https://twitter.com/TonikaBruce https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadernurse Learn more at.. https://www.tonikabruce.com

 

#BusinessCoaching #ReferralNetworks #marketingstrategies #Prospecting #BusinessGrowth #TonikaBrucePodcast

 

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to Tagline if you'vebeen following our episodes.
This is part three of ourseries on finding business
clients using referral networks.
As discussed in our previousepisodes, referral networking
is key to growing your business.
Referrals, bring in more customersmarketing tactics, help generate
leads for new projects, and introduceyou to potential partners that can

(00:24):
take your company to the next level.
It's easy to talk about howimportant referrals are for your
business, but a little bit harderto actually make it happen.
So today I'll show you how to utilizethe four types of referral networks.
From figuring out the best strategy forapproaching people, for referrals, to
getting comfortable speaking with contactsoutside of your comfort zone, there are

(00:47):
a number of steps that entrepreneurs andbusiness owners need to consider when
setting up their own referral networks.
In this episode, I'm gonna coversome of those components, the details
of customer prospecting and otherstrategies for finding clients.
Our part of our CTA coachingprogram that's called to action.
So if you want in-depth materialon this topic, sign up in the

(01:11):
link below to book your training.
Who are your referral networksand how do you ask for referrals?
Your network of employees, customers,other businesses and partners can
help you generate qualified leads.
However, each will requirea different approach to work
with, first up your customers.

(01:32):
The best and easiest way to engagecustomers for referrals is using
your customer feedback channels.
Engage them through customersurveys and feedback forms.
And follow up emails.
Next, encourage them to leavereviews on social media platform
like Google or Yelp or Facebook.
So you can also incentivizethem for referrals.

(01:52):
For example, offer them adiscount or a free service.
Then your network of employees.
If you're a solopreneur, considerthe network of people that you've
worked with in the past in aprofessional setting or otherwise.
Most businesses encourageemployee referrals, but fail to
tap into their full potential.
You've gotta motivate them andreward them for their referrals.

(02:14):
And you can even offer an incentiveprogram such as a bonus or a gift
card asking referrals from partners.
In this case, refer to anyone you onboardthrough an official referral program.
So this approach requires settingup a system for tracking in
an agreement to refer for yourcompany or you to interested leads.

(02:36):
With these in order, you canapproach customers and employees and
businesses for a partnership, and itmakes it just really smooth for you.
Then cross referrals.
These are related, but non-competingbusinesses in your industry, so
you can collaborate and referleads to each other's businesses.
And when you ask for these crossreferrals, it's almost similar to

(02:59):
referral partners, but in this case,the reward is referrals in return
for referring their businesses.
All these are strategies that youcan implement for working different
referral networks, but your startingpoint is crafting a pitch that's a
compelling reason why they shouldwork with you in the first place.
Referral networks are morethan promotional channels.

(03:22):
That's it for this episode.
See you in the next one.