referral groups « Small Business Blog

Better Communication & More Sales, with Referral Based Social Media

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Referral Key is Free... Generate More Sales Today!

FYI: Referral Key is free! You can begin using Briefs, boosting sales, and driving revenue today.

Briefs are 200 character micro-messages visible to trusted partners in your private referral network. A Brief is similar to a “tweet” on Twitter® with some key differences that help you strengthen partnership within your private professional network.

On Referral Key you exchange referrals with other seasoned professionals who are also eager to help you boost sales. Unlike other social media services, that make your information public, and often foster broadcasting promotions rather than intimate sales networking for small businesses; Referral Key Briefs are relevant and sales focused.

To post a Brief, simply type your message and click post.

Type “@FirstName-LastName” to direct a Private Brief toward a single (or more) associates. I.E. If you want to tell Steve Smith to meet you for lunch, but don’t want the rest of your network to know, you would type “@Steve-Smith”

You can attach brochures, documents, and files

You can Sync Briefs with other social media services to increase your reach and exposure.

Referral Key is the fun way to help friends, build referrals and grow your business. Unlike any other social or business networking service, every feature on Referral Key has been optimized to help you generate more referrals. Simply put, we bring new business to you!

Tags: Briefs, More Sales, Referral Based Social Media
Posted in Business Networking, Small Business Blog, business network, referral, referral groups, referral marketing | No Comments »

What Does the Future Look Like for Referral Network Groups Like BNI, Rainmakers, and the Chamber?

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Confessions of a new media marketing consultant:

The Question

As a new media marketing consultant who exclusively works with small businesses, I have the pleasure of connecting with thousands of professionals from all walks of life. Not only are their areas of expertise incredibly diverse but so are their referral marketing strategies.They belong to a wide range of professional organizations and hail from every corner of the globe. I get to listen to their concerns, opinions, and ideas about referral networking and small business growth.

One question that often comes up is, “Do you think that face-to-face networking groups have a future?”

The Situation

Just surf the net and it can be hard to believe anyone still makes time for face-to-face. The new “site of the year”, whether it’s Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, are fun, entertaining, and at times useful. This avalanche of new tools, media hype and even peer pressure can make networking in the new millennium a very complicated endeavor… oh yeah, and you’ve got a business to run.

We all have colleagues who’ll evangelize any Web 2.0 technology that crosses their plate; maybe even stop at nothing to get you involved too. There’s nothing wrong with being an early adopter but remember, “time” is the new commodity; not “money”. Simply understanding this concept makes you more savvy than 90% of the people peddling their wares on Twitter. Clearly define your goals and be sure all your endeavors are time well spent.

I think you’ll find face-to-face networking is still one of your most valuable investments.

The Synopsis

I only see the value of face-to-face networking increasing exponentially as our professional lives become more inundated with digital clutter. One trusted colleague is worth a thousand Tweets.

Whether your mantra is “Givers Gain”, “Meet, Learn, Grow”, or just plain “Let’s Exchange Referrals”; groups like BNI, Rainmakers, or even personal referral circles will become increasingly valuable in the years to come.

Shoot me an email and I’d be more than happy to share my expertise.

best,

@ChristopherOtt

*Wait a Minute, Isn’t Referral Key a Social Networking Site?

No, Referral Key is not a social networking site and it was not designed to replace face-to-face relationships. “Trust is Key” which is why we encourage new members to invite people they actually know and trust to exchange and manage referrals within a private network. Members of meet up groups find Referral Key particularly complimentary because it has tools to help them strengthen their existing professional relationships.

Tags: BNI, Rainmakers, referral goups, referral marketing
Posted in referral groups | 44 Comments »

Who is Your Best Source of Indirect Referrals? Friends, Acquaintances, Past Clients?

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

It can be a pleasant surprise to receive a referral from an unexpected source. Every now and again being referred a client beyond the reach of your immediate circle of trust can give your sales a little boost. When we receive a new sales lead from an unexpected source we can easily become distracted by the opportunity at hand and forget to take a moment to think about the new source rather than just the impending sale.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew where these new sales leads were coming from? What if you could influence the amount of new sales leads that come your way outside of your primary referral groups?

Here’s how…

1. Join a club that has always interested you. Often we get stuck in the same routine and end up at the same business networking clubs with the same old people. From a knitting circle to a racket ball club, you are bound to meet new people who you may be able to share referrals with; you don’t have to necessarily meet under the auspices of “business networking”.

2. Family and friends are often overlooked as referral sources. While you probably don’t end personal conversations with a business card you may not want to miss out on your buddy’s next BBQ.

3. The best referral networkers know how to turn every day situations into mutually beneficial networking opportunities. That guy in front of you at the bank, your dry cleaner, and your fellow commuters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes everyday networking opportunities. Even an elevator ride is worth a preliminary networking effort.

One of the biggest mistakes a networker can make is overlooking a seemingly irrelevant networking partner. The ability to send and receive indirect referrals is often the same margin that separates mediocre networkers from the pros.

Where do you receive most of your indirect referrals from?

Tags: business networking clubs, indirect referrals, referral, referral groups
Posted in business networking clubs, indirect referrals, referral groups | 2 Comments »

Small Business Referral Groups… for Young Adults?

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Over the last couple of months, we’ve seen a number young small business owners join Referral Key.

We often don’t think of high schoolers or even college students as being small business owners but you’d be surprised just how entrepreneurial and motivated the younger generation is. At a time when unemployed professionals are taking jobs that in more prosperous times, would have gone to young adults; many young adults are forced to think outside the box.

Lawn mowing, caddying, snow shoveling, dock-hands, and even web design are just a few referra l based jobs that require good word-of-mouth and very little capital.

Young adults, who take an entrepreneurial approach to their financial future, may be walking away with more than just a little spending money. They are learning the fundamentals of good business; relationship building, developing a reputation, and following through.

Good referral marketing practices are likely to help you throughout life whether your landing the biggest contract of your life or carrying a second bag to the green.

Tags: Business Networking, referral groups, Small Business Growth, young entrepreneurs
Posted in referral, referral groups, referral marketing | No Comments »