How do you network and generate referrals from local events and associations?

The main objective it so establish a presence in your community and provide value. If you like running, boating, sports or you want to help a particular niche then join thouse groups and ask about their plans, needs, wants and areas of improvement... then add value to them in those areas to show you care about them even if it means no business for you at the moment. People can tell if you only see them as walking $$ signs. "Build community not clients" Chris Turcotte

Networking at local events and associations is a powerful way to generate referrals. The key is authentic engagement. Show genuine interest in others' businesses and offer value without expecting immediate returns. Build relationships by being a resourceful, knowledgeable member of the community. Share insights and collaborate. This approach not only establishes trust but also fosters a reciprocal mindset, where referrals become a natural extension of these strengthened connections.

The key to networking is what you do the day after...I follow an event by connecting on Linkedin and sending a personal note identifying something we spoke about.

Networking and generating referrals from local events and associations is a powerful way to grow your business, but it requires a genuine approach. I attended an MI conference, where I had the privilege of learning from industry leaders across the country.I approach networking and referrals like this 1??Get Involved, It’s easy to show up to local events or association meetings, but the real impact comes when you actively participate.2?? Follow Up With Purpose. The conference also reminded me that the follow-up is everything. 4?? A top takeaway from the conference was the emphasis on collaboration—finding ways to align interests and create win-win situations, whether it’s co-hosting a workshop or connecting clients to trusted professionals.

Networking and generating referrals from local events and associations is something I approach with a focus on building genuine connections and adding value. It all starts with showing up consistently at events hosted by local organizations, such as chambers of commerce, professional associations, or community fundraisers. By being a regular face, I establish familiarity and trust within the group.

Develop a clear and concise elevator pitch that introduces you and your business. Bring plenty of business cards and any promotional materials that showcase your products or services.

Create a script for yourself and practice it as if you were going to a speedneworking or speed dating event and you only had 2 minutes present your value. Think of sharing something personal enough to make you memorable but you are also comforable having out in public (What happens in Vegas, STAYS IN VEGAS!)

During your speech, always start out with a quick origin story about yourself, and then you'll want to go into 3 things about your services that make you stand out/ sometimes this can be breaking common false beliefs as well. Lastly you will want to make a strong call to action and next step necessary of what you want your audience to do.

Preparing my pitch and materials took some trial and error. At first, I struggled with finding a simple, effective approach. Instead of using traditional business cards, I switched to a VContact card that I could save directly in someone’s phone—this was a quick, seamless way to connect. I also kept my chats to about 6 minutes if it was a large group, focusing on quality rather than lengthy conversation. Another key strategy was booking one-on-one meetings. This allowed me to build genuine relationships beyond a quick introduction and to learn more about the other person’s goals, making the connection more meaningful.

Engaging and following up with referrals is crucial as it builds strong relationships and demonstrates appreciation, which can lead to increased trust and future business. Timely and personalized follow-ups ensure that referrals feel valued and informed, enhancing the likelihood of converting them into clients and fostering long-term professional connections.

You should actively participate in discussions, workshops, and other activities at events. Always approach people with a friendly and open attitude, and be genuinely interested in their businesses. After the event, follow up with the people you met. Express your pleasure in meeting them and reference specific points from your conversation. Schedule one-on-one meetings or coffee to deepen the connection.

As better questions to get engagment and create conversation crumbs. And them follow up with useful information to their comments or questions Instead of this try that: Instead of "What did you think of the event? It was great" TRY THIS " What parts of the event did you find most useful to you? Taxplaning" follow up with a good accountant contact or tax planning event invitation; OR TRY THIS "What speaker was the most momorable? International realestate investing" Then follow up with a coffee meeting and more information on that area. Make to follow up withing 24-48 max so the conversation is fresh and relevant.

Attending events has become one of my biggest lead generators. It's important at events to authentically engage with as many people as possible, take notes, and follow up in a timely manner. I try to follow up the next day with something meaningful. If it's appropriate I try to schedule a meeting. If it's just a relationship I want to nurture I will either add calendar reminders for follow ups or add them to a drip campaign in my CRM. I always also try to engage with them on social media.

I focus on building real conversations by asking questions, finding common ground, and showing genuine interest in their business. This approach allows me to understand what’s important to them and how I can support their goals. After each meeting, I follow up within 24 hours with a personalized message, thanking them and outlining how we could collaborate effectively. I also take time to learn each referral partner's unique goals. Some partners prioritize communication for their clients, while others are interested in social media collaborations. I log these preferences in my CRM and automate reminders to stay organized and keep our relationship active and beneficial.

If you don't ask, you don't get it. Politely and strategically ask for referrals from your contacts. Be specific about the type of clients or opportunities you are seeking.

If one person found your information valuable then its likely they know a friend or colleague who also may find it useful so ask them: "Who else do you know that may have questions on the sub? I will be happy to help them find some possi ble solutions". You can also know how they can help you with minimal commitment like who can they refer to your first time home buyer seminar, credit repair webinar, real estate investment webnar so you can reach more people with possible solutions to their questions.

I make it a point to actively seek referrals by asking early, sometimes even during the first call, since you never know who might be ready to refer. I prioritize reciprocity, not only by sending clients to my referral partners but also by connecting them with other helpful partners, like accountants or financial advisors. I track every referral in my CRM and follow up regularly to express appreciation. To support my network, I also send out Google review requests and client referral emails to all my clients, and I offer sales and marketing coaching to partners who may need it. This approach builds trust and keeps referrals coming in both ways.

Be sure to track the effectiveness of your networking effort and adjust your approach based on what works best for you and your business. There's always room for growth.

Whatever method works best for you just be sure to track your progress and your efforts so you can find your gaps and identify opportunities. Track who sends you the most referrals and make sure to keep them close, and track what isn't working to make adjustments or stop entirely if its not for you. Make time to make and test small adjustments in your approach.

I track every partner and client in my CRM, labeling them for easy organization and insights. In Pipedrive, I set specific goals for each partner, including targets for referrals and engagement activities. To streamline my workflow, I use automation tools to manage administrative tasks and run campaigns, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This setup helps me analyze referral sources, monitor conversion rates, and track my return on investment. By regularly reviewing my metrics, I can see which strategies are effective, allowing me to adjust and optimize my referral marketing for continued growth.