Referrals

Referrals are a powerful tool. Whether you are the giver or the receiver, referring someone is both a gift and a great tool.

As we discussed in a recent Networking Skills Workshop in Dallas, referrals are a basic function of your network. We've all worked hard to build a network, to be an influential or to meet and know influential people. the natural by product of all that work is to distill off a bit of referral to fuel business.

First, a word about influentials: we really don't know who we know or who others know. As our friend, Ben Smithee, is fond of saying, we want to be connected to who you know. Influentials are those people you see in networking situations sharing leads. For them, it is about being selfless. Good comes to those who do good deeds and good work.

Whatever you do, as we've said in this space before, don't burn a bridge: you may be standing on it.

• Have a strategy in meeting people
• Be willing to share a contact with someone you meet, either voluntarily or when they ask
• Always end the conversation with "and how may I return the favor?"

Referring someone to someone else in your network is as easy as stepping back, seeing the big picture and realizing that these two people could benefit by meeting. Then introduce them, either:

• In person
• Via a two-party e-mail intro
• A LinkedIn introduction
• A phone call
• A singular intro to one to meet the other

We can't go too much further in this post without mentioning social media and introductions and referrals. If you are using LinkedIn, you ahve a natural tool for introduction and recommendation. It is the new way to connect people, be visible and give someone else visibility.

Posting a link on Facebook or Twitter to an article by or forwarded by a trusted colleague you want to promote to your network is another way to get the word out about someone in your network.

And using blogs, as I am using this post, is another way to promote and connect.

Happy referring.

Relentless