Referral Marketing: Contributions!

I believe there's a "ying" and "yang" to just about everything in life. In networking, you're either a GIVER or a TAKER.

I meet alot of "takers" out there. They're the kind of people that wonder why networking is not working for them. They wonder why they haven't received any referrals recently. They wonder why their network isn't helping them to get more business by referral. They feel alone. Guess what?! Referral marketing CAN'T be done alone!

In order to help you focus on being a GIVER ... I urge you to honestly look at how well you contribute to your network. Are you a CONTRIBUTOR to your network ... your life ... your family ... your friends? Or not? If you realize that you could contribute more in certain areas of your network ... then do it! If you realize that you could contribute more to your relationships (home & work) ... then do it.

Take a stand with me TODAY to be a better contributor. Look around you and focus on those that need you and could value most from your contribution. Then ... take action!

Who will you contribute to TODAY?

Referral Marketing: Lost in Space!

Have you noticed the trend in business ... known as "convenience"? Everyone wants convenience! If your business is going to survive this recession ... my one suggestion is to begin looking at how you can make things more convenient for your customers.

Look around and you'll see it everywhere ... webinars, tele-seminars, pick up/drop off services, virtual assistants, podcasts, LinkedIn, Facebook, (etc.). The closer you look, the more you'll see.

Everyone wants things to be fast, easy, effective, and painless.

What does this tell you about referral marketing? From where I'm sitting, if your referral process is slow, difficult, in-effective and painful ... forget it. No one will help you spread your message. In order to fit your needs into the busy schedules of those you want to help you ... you've got to make it EASY for people to refer you.

Here are two quick tips:

1. Create a template email that your referral sources can use when they want to send someone information on your behalf.

2. Give your referral sources pdf documents that they can forward to people on your behalf. It will already contain your message ... all they need to do is pass it on.

Don't make it difficult or your message will get LOST IN SPACE.

Referral Marketing: Lifelong Learning

If you ever get to the point that you believe you know everything, it's a clear indication that you don't.

Lifelong learning applies to everything you do. It doesn't matter if you're learning to train a new puppy by taking him to school, teaching your kids "new math", discovering what to do about keeping house sparrows out of your bluebird box, taking a course on networking, or completing your GPA at age 50. Lifelong learning is critical to your success in life. Learning something new stretches your brain, positions you for opportunities, enables you to achieve more in your life, brings about gratification, and challenges you to become a better person.

For me, lifelong learning is a commitment I've made to myself. I purposely add to my professional library every year with books and books on CD. Books on CD are my favorite! I read the Pittsburgh Business Times weekly and attend conferences yearly. In my business, I try to instill the attitude of lifelong learning to my clients. Since networking and referral marketing are skills that need to be developed and honed, lifelong learning is one way to ensure those skills become strong.

That's why, I want to promote an upcoming seminar in Pittsburgh that I believe business professionals from all walks of life should attend. No matter what profession you're in, there's some element of sales. Sales can work for you or against you. On June 18th at the Radisson in Green Tree, Greta Schulz will be speaking from her book, "To Sell is NOT to Sell". Greta is a Pittsburgh Business Times columnist and has over 20 years of sales training experience. Her approach to sales is very applicable in today's economy. To check it out and to register for the event, go to http://www.bni-westernpa.com/. You'll find the information on that home page.