Giving Referrals to Get Referrals

One of the best ways to get a referral is to give a referral. When you give someone a referral, they are forever grateful and will feel obligated to return the favor.

Before you can go ahead and give someone a referral, you must know them and know their business, this much is obvious. You wouldn't refer somebody that needs their house sided to a painter would you? Of course not.

There are many ways to get to know people within your business community and a lot of places to go to meet them.

For starters you can attend networking groups, chamber luncheons, Lions clubs, or rotary clubs, to name a few.

These organizations meet either weekly or monthly, and they offer a great opportunity for people within the business community to meet, network, and get to know each other.

I once had a friend that I worked with in the mortgage business. He would attend networking luncheons religiously, but he would often come back from his meetings disappointed.

One day I decided to ask him why he was so frustrated. He replied by telling me that after all of the time he had spent talking with people, exchanging business cards, and flat out asking for business, that he had yet to receive any. The whole situation had him completely puzzled.

I than said to him, well, have you ever given anyone at these networking events you attend a referral? He replied that he had not, but the light bulb over his head became a lot brighter.

He took me up on my suggestion, and before long, the referrals started to come in.

This is not to say, that the only way to get a referral is to give a referral, because it most certainly is not. But it sure does help.

You may say to yourself, no one ever gave me a referral, so why should I give anyone else a referral. You really don't need me to tell you that this attitude will get you know where, because it won't.

Somebody has to start the referral process, so it might as well be you. This way you are working smarter and not harder.

One idea is to start a partnership with someone. If you are a loan officer, you might consider partnering up with a realtor. If you are a contractor, you may consider teaming up with a plumber.

Like it or not, the process of referring business back and forth to people in your business community can get a little bit political. So it is important to establish yourself within the business community and build as many relationships as possible. Make sure the relationships you build are with responsible and dependable people who you can count on to send you qualified leads, otherwise you are just wasting your time.

This truly is one of the smartest and easiest ways to get referrals heading in your direction, so give it a shot, and best of luck.

Jay Conners has more than fifteen years of experience in the banking and Mortgage Industry, He is the owner of http://www.jconners.com, a mortgage resource site, he is also the owner of http://www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


The Power of Word of Mouth

Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told... Read More

Networking: Strangers, Friendship, and Business Growth

You already know that uncomfortable feeling, that knot in your... Read More

Lesson 69 - When Networking Events Fail

The StoryIn a quest to create strategic alliances, coalitions, and... Read More

How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success

There are people who are natural born networkers - those... Read More

Ten Simple Steps to More Customers with Better Networking

Networking is a great way to meet people in a... Read More

10 Top Tips for Successful Networking

1. Recognise the importance of networkingAsk any successful business person... Read More

Sticky Situations: Nametag Best Practices

Because a person's name is the single context of human... Read More

Sell For Yourself Or Sell For Your Boss?

First of all I would like to start this article... Read More

Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 - $1,000,000 - You Never Knew You Had

There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More

What I Do Is Not Who I Am... The Networking Factor

Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More

Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To

You see him from across the room. You know him,... Read More

Where Does That Word Come From?

"Instead of a handshake, I gave Toby a high-five to... Read More

What a Leads Exchange Group can do for You

What is the definition of a leads exchange and how... Read More

Networking Skills: Arguing in Context

If you're fond of a good debate, you know how... Read More

Increase Your Sales by 30% Using Internet Collaboration Networks

Small businesses are really excluded from the global economySmall businesses... Read More

How to Get Ahead in Your Career

Bigger Better Deal. That's what everyone always hopes will come... Read More

Planting the Seeds of Greatness - Make it Great Newsletter #7

Thought of the WeekThis week, I'd like to challenge you... Read More

Ask for Referrals: And Get the Answer You Want!

Why are people scared to ask for a referral? Is... Read More

Building Bridges - The Importance of Being Connected Where You Live

As a Young Professional (YP) in the up-and-coming city of... Read More

Networking

Put join a networking group on your to do list... Read More

Creating Successful Alliances and Partnerships through Networking

Douglas Wilder, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and... Read More

The 4 Attitudes of Awesome Hospitality

Hospitality relates to the Latin term philoxenia, or "the love... Read More

The Five Step Formula For Getting Prospects to Call You

Are you tired of prospecting for new business?Are you sick... Read More

What Has Networking Got To Do With Joint Ventures?

What has networking got to do with joint ventures? "PLENTY"... Read More

Why Cant I Remember Your Name?

You're terrible with names. You forget someone's name within ten... Read More

Are You Leveraging Your Business Network?

Just yesterday I received an email from a colleague telling... Read More

34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent

Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More

Talk Isnt Cheap

The most successful organizations have good communication skills. Survey after... Read More

Social Networking: A Link To Like Minds

Not all dot-com dreams died when the Internet stock bubble... Read More

The Answer to Your Worst Networking Nightmare

Imagine you just met your ideal client at a networking... Read More

Success Sentences to Help Combat Conversational Crappiness

Essential to your success as an effective, engaging communicator is... Read More

How NOT to Waste Your Time Networking

Ever wonder if networking, referral groups, and conferences are a... Read More