1. Referral Networking is not about sell, sell, sell. We've all been approached by aggressive businesspeople who thrust their card into our faces, extol their virtues are about 10 minutes, before prowling the room for more prey to irritate and bore. These walking nightmares are pretty easy to spot. The question is, are you ever guilty of talking when you should be listening?
2. Referral Networking is not a quick fix. Of course there are people who make very profitable connections the first time they attend a Referral networking group, but it is not something that you should expect. The real gold is in the long-term mutual beneficial relationships that you form. You never know where where one conversation that you have in January could lead - don't be surprised if it's made you thousands by the end of December.
3. Referral Networking is not about telling the whole story of your business. The point of the pitch or indeed those initial conversations is to stimulate people's curiosity. You can give them as much information as they need -or you feel they need - at a later point. We are all overloaded with too much information as it is in the 21st century - this is even worse at a Referral networking event. So do people a favour and favour simplicity over detail.
4. Referral Networking is not about boring people. Steer away from highlighting features - talk about the benefits instead. If you get into a conversation with somebody who comments I feel so tired I just can't be bothered to be honest are you really going to try to discuss business with them? Everything you say you say should be relevant to the needs of the other people in the room.
This is just a small not to-do list for Referral networking. Always observe the successes and failures of others’ Referral networking efforts. There is a lot to learn from them.
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