Referral Marketing: Facebook

It's all the rage! Social networking ... Twitter ... Facebook ... LinkedIn ... Plaxo ... etc., etc. What does it all mean? How does it impact networking? How much should you put "out there"? Here's a few tips from my own personal perspective:

1. Yes ... you should have a presence in the social networking arena.
2. Don't overwhelm yourself ... pick one to start with and spend some time with it. Choose one that will meet your goals (I spend time with LinkedIn and Facebook).
3. Ask a "Gen Xer" to help you establish your profile and teach you how to navigate the site.
4. Schedule time in your calendar to work the social network environment ... you can't receive any benefit by simply being there ... you've got to use it regularly.
5. LinkedIn can help you view your network's network very quickly ... potentially leading to referrals if you ask your network to make introductions for you.
6. Only connect to people you know... why? ... because when a friend asks you to introduce them to someone in your network ... you CAN because you know that person well.
7. Only put "out there" what you don't mind the world to see ... including your mom and your prospective client.

I'm probably not in the norm ... but in my opinion, social networking is not about numbers. It's about staying connected to people in your life and making them aware of what's happening in your life. It's about helping people in your network to connect to others you know at a faster pace.

Social networking is not going to go away ... so get with the program. I also don't believe social networking will replace face to face networking ... at least in my lifetime!

Referral Marketing: Being Left Behind

A week ago, I got a new puppy (Tucker). That's right ... for those of you who follow this ... it's dog #2. He's a total joy to have around and he's fitting right in to the family. My other dog (Karlie) has taken a strong liking to him. They've bonded and have been seen drinking from the same bowl at the same time, chewing on opposite ends of a bone, and even sharing a bed (their bed ... not mine!). He's really cute ... isn't he?!

Since he's only 3 months old, he's in the middle of house training and that means a crate at night and when I leave the house. The other day, I tookKarlie to dog school ... leaving Tucker behind in his crate. You would have thought his world was coming to an end! He cried and howled the saddest of songs. I set up a "puppy cam" so a friend tuned in to see how long it would take him to settle down. It only took him about 5 minutes to realize that his situation was not giong to change and so he might as well accept it and relax.

Are you feeling left behind like Tucker when it comes to referrals? Have you noticed other people getting referrals that you think you ought to have received too? Why do you think that is?

It's obvious that you are not top of mind for that person. Perhaps you have not yet established the credibility with that person to warrant the referral. Perhaps you haven't made it clear what you're looking for? Perhaps they perceive you differently than you want them to perceive you? Regardless the reason ... you don't have to act like Tucker and believe that you can't change the situation ... because you CAN!! Unlike Tucker ... YOU can open the door and begin to change your situation for the better. So what are you waiting for? Open the door and begin to educate people more effectively on what you actually want in terms of referrals!

Referral Marketing: The Biggest Loser

Last night, I watched The Biggest Loser. I think this is one of the best reality tv shows because it really does some good for people. The episode last night was all about the big make-overs ... new clothes & new hair styles to go with the new bodies. All I can say is WOW! These people have put all of their energy and determination into redefining themselves ... and the progress is stunning. Last night, a young man broke the record for the most weight lost on the show.

Now some will say ... "yes, well the only reason they're successful on the show is because they have 24/7 access to personal trainers, state of the art equipment, etc.". Okay, I hear ya. However, I truly believe that ultimately motivation comes from within. No matter what trainer or equipment you have at your disposal, it takes YOU to make it happen.

The same is true for referral marketing success. Ultimately, it takes YOU to make it happen. Is it time for you to have a word of mouth make-over? Is your message working for you? Are you motivated to find a referral coach, like me, to hold you accountable when needed? Imagine how your results would change if you truly dedicated yourself to the process of referral marketing?

I believe your results would speak as loudly as the results on The Biggest Loser ... with only one major difference. You wouldn't be losing ... you would be GAINING!!

Referral Marketing: The Amazing Race!

The popular TV show, The Amazing Race, triggers the adventurous spirit in many of its viewers. I think that's part of the attraction to the show. Watching all the wonderful places that the participants get to visit as a part of the trek. Of course the other part that draws people in is the DRAMA! And ... from watching the show in the past ... people sure can become dramatic when they're under stress and in a competition against the clock.

Something I find fascinating about the show is that typically, the contestants are pairs of people who know each other very well. It makes sense, right? Why would you put yourself into this situation with a stranger and trust your potential future fortune on someone you can't trust?!
The fascinating part to me is that no matter how long the couple has known each other, the experience of The Amazing Race often teaches them things about each other that they never knew before. Spending this much "quality" time together brings out a person's true character. Many, many times, the experience brings the couple even closer together.

When it comes to referral marketing, no matter how long you have known your referral partner, you still need to spend time together ... learning more and more about that person, their business, and their character. You can't ever begin to think that you know all there is to know ... because anyone on The Amazing Race will be sure to prove you otherwise. If you begin to think you know it all ... you become complacent. Complacency is the kiss of death to referral marketing.