Joining referral networks like BNI or local chamber groups can be a great way to help you network and generate referrals. The most powerful way to use this strategy, however, is to grow your own.
The key to building your own referral network is to focus on developing relationships with businesses you can believe in thoroughly. I would suggest that the first consideration should always be – what can this business bring to my client and not what can they bring to me. You might start by identifying the top products and services you know your current clientele need and use.
Once you put your group together there are many ways to take advantage of power of this new sales force.
- Create a blog network
- Interview each member for a teleseminar series
- Create co-branded white papers
- Do endorsed mailings
- Put on a group workshop
- Distribute marketing materials and offers
- Bundle each others products and services
With some careful consideration and a little effort you could build a referral network that would rival any sales force. (I wrote a much longer piece on this subject in my weekly newsletter – visit here)
