What Is Referral Networking? Referral Marketing Is Relationship Marketing Too!
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In Masters of Sales (Entrepreneur Press; September 2007), BNI Founder, Ivan Misner wrote a piece entitled “The Truth about Relationship Selling.”
He mentions in the piece how Dr. Harry Olson, author, speaker, and executive coach, helped many understand that the key to relationship selling lies in one’s ability to build relationships.
Dr. Olson stated:
“Relationship Selling works best when prospect and seller, in the course of meeting, discover a natural affinity or shared interests between them. This facilitates a common bond outsideof the business context. The sales person who can create an emotional bond with the customer has the winning edge – hands down. This requires artful skills in relationship-building.”
Naturally, Relationship Networking applies the same foundation. Those that truly want to build a firm networking foundation know that they need to nurture their future referral partner and build up a relationship with them. However, many business people still make the mistake of assuming their phone will magically start ringing with referrals, simply because they make a habit of handing out their business card to potential referral partners.
In reality, of course, simply handing out your business card to others is only a minuscule step in the process of Relationship Networking—you must follow up with your contacts and continually make efforts at building successful relationships with them. According to Dr. Ivan Misner in the book Business By Referral, there are five things you should get to know about anyone you wish to establish a relationship with. These five points are outlined in what’s called The GAINS Profile.
- Goals
- Accomplishments
- Interests
- Networks
- Skills
Here are Five Tips on How to Succeed at Relationship Selling, given by Dr. Harry Olson, to supplement the five points in The GAINS Profile:
Five Tips on How to Have a Successful Networking Plan
- Relationship skills must be worked on by both parties.
- Focus on methods and actions to work together.
- Get to know your referral partner’s business & support team.
- Identify “best practices” to find qualified referrals & implement a follow up system.
- Find ways to help each other outside of the business setting.
Remember, building a true Networking Plan takes some effort, but the rewards can be substantial.
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