Every business owner wants to know the best way to get referrals for their business. The best way I know is to network with other business professionals…building meaningful, lasting connections.

If you are a member of one or more networking groups, you could be using the greeting card system that I use to increase your results by building a stronger network. 

One of the important things when sending greeting cards within a networking group is to become a connector, so the focus is on the other members rather promoting your own business. Appreciation wins out over self-promotion every time.

Professional networking does a couple of things for you. You become more committed to your business and over time networking will build your confidence (even if you scared to death in the beginning). Not all groups are equal, so don’t get discouraged if one doesn’t seem to fit. If you persist more than likely you’ll find a good fit. I would suggest that you give it at least one year, once you decide on a networking group.

By using the greeting card system that I use, you can build and grow your own personal network. Some of the philosophies that are a basic focus of our company:

• Sending out to give.
• Making a living by giving.
• The promptings that pop into our head are supposed to be acted upon. Don’t ignore them.
• What we send out into the world returns to us ten-fold.

Here are some ways to make the most of the networking that you do. Remember that these messages must be heart felt. :

• Send cards of appreciation to those who make referrals to you.
• Send out unexpected cards, acknowledging that I’m grateful to know the member and that they are a valued part of my referral team. (You’ll get a prompting to reach out, when the time is right.)
• Some of the members of the group, especially in these economic times, will have to wait longer for a referral, like a home builder, than perhaps a member that has a smaller product, for instance a Mary Kay or Shakley rep. Send a card and let them know you appreciate their being in the group.
• Always send a “Nice to Meet You” card to new members of the group, as well as visitors to the group. Say, “It was great to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better. Maybe there are ways that we can support each other or work together in the future. Let’s get together sometime. Have coffee. I’ll give you a call or you call me.” It’s important that you add a picture in your card, so they will remember you, since they were new to the large group. It doesn’t hurt to mention where, when and your contact info either.
• Compliment a new member.
• Share how impressed you are with another member, his or her business or products, with the other members in the group.
• Send your referral a card recommending the member of your group, explaining why you trust them, and providing them with their contact information. This edifies your group member to your friend or neighbor and is the best way to make a solid, valuable referral. (This eliminates cold calls.)
• Find out who is the featured member who will be speaking in the future. Ask that member if there is someone they would like to have attend to hear their presentation. Then send that person an invitation, edifying the presenter. Then send out invitations to anyone else in your network of business professionals who might benefit from hearing the presenter. (This could also grow your networking group.)
• When someone has taken the time to meet with you (dance card) and gotten to know you and your product a bit better, send them a thank you card. Again, summerize what you do and the kind of referrals you’d really like.

To try out the automated geeting card system that I use, turn up your speakers, and click HERE.

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