AC Interpreting

Posts Tagged ‘Referrals’

One of the most important things you can do no matter what type of business you run is to get out and network. They say that the secret to success is working hard, working smart, never giving up, and making lots of friends. You cannot make lots of friends if you do not get out there and meet and greet new people.

Any business no matter what type you run, it makes sense to ask your customers, your very best customers to give you referrals of new potential clients. This is all part of networking and if you want to be successful you are going to have to do it.

Lately, with online social networking it appears that everyone is going online to try to network. The only problem with this is you never get to look the person you are talking too into the eyes and make that solid personal connection that you can in real life.

Many folks that own small businesses also set up a blog and they allow people to become their friends and join, or take their online newsletters or subscribe to their blog. All this online networking is all well and good but it is not the same, and it cannot yield the same results as a customer that actually walks and your store to buy something.

If you go to one of the large booksellers like Barnes & Noble or Borders Books you will note that the books that have to do with online social networking are quite vast in numbers. There are literally 10 to 20 new titles every single month it seems; all around the topic of social networking online. And there are lots of business books giving people advice on how to network better using the Internet.

Interestingly enough, the books on how to network in the real world, in service clubs, chambers of commerce, and working or volunteering in nonprofit endeavors only number in a few and those books aren’t selling very well. Nevertheless, if you want to succeed in business I would suggest that you also network in the real world because it will give you better results.

Now realize, I am not suggesting that online social networking for a small business or for a business professional cannot yield some results, but there’s no way it can compete with real-world results of real-world marketing and networking. Please consider all this.

Some rules you encounter are Golden, they are meant to be kept in mind forever instead of forgotten. These are definitely useful and important trail markers to guide us and allow us to stay on course. Golden Rules exist to guide you, to be followed, and to use. It makes little difference what your ultimate goal is or what challenge you face. Just choose the applicable Golden Rule and abide by it. Listed here are my 5 best Golden Rules for online business networking.
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# 1. Don’t Exaggerate Your Character

The rationale behind this is to not deceive anyone who comes into contact with you. In other words, be who you say you are and have the ability to deliver what you suggest you can deliver.

# 2. Represent Yourself with a Professional Portrait and Not a Logo

I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but it’s very important because business relationships have the possibility of growing. Why not, from the very beginning, present yourself as a human being? Understand that there is psychology behind this. I know I feel more comfortable with a face than a personality and a logo.

# 3. Be Non-Threatening but Serious with Your Approach

This is advisable because anyone and everyone on the World Wide Web can send you a message and even be nice about it but if you have a serious prospect in your sites and you want to be taken seriously, you had better be saying something with meaning. Say something that they are likely to have a realistic interest in–not a serious sales pitch.

# 4. Research a Potential Partner

There are definite ways to accomplish this, including doing a thorough Google search, contacting any referrals, conducting brief interviews of testimonials, and more. If you are going to spend money with or partner with individual who you have met through online business networking, at the very least, you want to be sure they are completely credible.

# 5. Stay Consistent in Your Follow ups

Ways to do this step include sending a direct “How have you been?” e-mail, contacting them on their birthday, congratulating them if you have caught wind of a recent promotion or change in career, or postings on their wall. I also believe that one of the best ways of keeping of touch is asking questions that slightly challenge their expertise. This can make them feel helpful and appreciated. You will need to do that carefully in order to not add any uncomfortable pressure

If your objective is to do business networking online, then follow these time-tested rules. They’ve been proven to be noteworthy for the many that have used them prior you. Follow them diligently for your desired success and satisfaction.

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It’s no secret that generating publicity via online news release sites is good for business.

Continually educating the public and media about what’s happening with your businesses is, well, just good business.

My challenge to clients I work with is to not only submit news or press releases to both paid and free online sites, but to also follow up with any businesses or people who are also involved in your release.

Let me explain. When you craft an effective news release, it’s important to include relevant and timely topics about your business that tie in with other news. This means incorporating relevant information about businesses and organizations that are already well known or newsworthy.

Here is a very specific example. In November of 2006 I invested in a new program via Glazer – Kennedy Inner Circle. Bill Glazer created a certification program for copywriters called Creating Copy that Sells.

After speedy completion of the program and receipt of certification, I verified that I was the first professional copywriter in Idaho to complete the certification. Then, I drafted my news release. I submitted it online and I also let Glazer- Kennedy know what I was up to keeping in close contact and providing them with a copy of the release just in case they might need it for something in the future.

This communication with Glazer-Kennedy paid off. In July, they contacted me to confirm that it was okay to include my press release in a sales letter for the program that was mailed to the entire Glazer-Kennedy list.

Of course it was OK. In fact, it was better than OK! My name, business name and contact information was included and I have received several referrals from that. It truly is a win win situation for Glazer – Kennedy and me. They received free publicity for their program and in turn were able to include my information in sales material as an example of how to leverage certification.

My point is, don’t view your news releases as a one shot deal. Figure out ways to expand their shelf life and follow up. What are you waiting for? Press on with your news to help increase referral flow.

Oh, and it you want to read the original release and listen to a pod interview, click here.

There are many business networking groups in Bristol and finding the one to suit you is hard, especially if you’re a small to medium sized business as your time is definitely money.

Most SMEs think that the only reason for joining a networking group is to get referrals and therefore more business and, of course this is correct, but there are many other considerations too. Surrounding yourself with other business owners from every spectrum of the business world means that you have a wealth of knowledge to draw from, you don’t have to go out and actively seek advice because within your group there will be someone who knows someone who can help. You might need a fast loan to see you through a rocky month or advice on a simple question of tax (possibly an oxymoron!) and if you choose your networking group carefully, the answer to your problem may be sitting next to you. You can be sure that whatever problem you are having there’ll be someone out there who has been there before.

When considering joining a networking group a businessmen or woman should think closely about what it is that they are actually looking to gain from their prospective peers. They might also look at how far the network spreads, for example, is the group nationwide or located in a town, are the other members actively networking or do they rely on this one group? The true beauty of a business networking group is not necessarily in the first tier members but in the second and third tier contacts. So when you visit a networking group with the intention of joining, ask the questions about how far the network spreads and listen to the conversations around you; are the members listening to each other or are they just trying to sell themselves, do they look like they trust each other? Always look for synergy because when you find it, it will propel your business uncharted waters and new business opportunities.

Over the next couple of years as the country and world recovers from the recession more small businesses will be set up by people who have been laid off. These people will have come from all areas of business and industry. While no small business has the knowledge base and financial resources that are accessible to big business, a group of business owners who are dedicated to the ongoing success of their network becomes an invaluable asset to each and every member.