Referrals are in the Repetition.

The Power of Repetition: Studies suggest that we need to encounter information at least 3-5 times to internalize and keep it at the forefront of our consciousness.

For those of us in the often misunderstood healthcare industry, especially within Senior Care, incorporating this strategy into networking for referrals can prove highly advantageous.

If you are anything like me, the fear of "sounding annoying" or "saying the same thing over and over" can trick you into thinking you need to have a different "referral request//ask" for each interaction.

Overcoming the fear of being repetitive and realizing that consistent messaging is key, even within weekly networking meetings like BNI chapters, helps anchor the specifics of your ask. For instance, using the same referral request for a few weeks allows for natural interactions to yield better results than constantly changing topics. This approach, rooted in education and support, bridges the gap between the healthcare industry and consumers, ensuring that valuable information reaches those who need it most.

For example: My 'ask' when serving in a Senior Living Community Sales Role was often "Do you know of anyone discharging from Rehab or that has recently gone into the hospital that would benefit from knowing the resources and support available to them?" *Important to share WHY you are looking for those types of referrals- in my case, it was because I knew I could support their transition out of the hospital, safely, with the community and resources I could provide.

Be mindful to not get discouraged if, after the first couple of times of trying this on, you aren't getting that steady flow of referrals you are hoping for... give it time, and keep sharing your message and the resource/product/service you offer.

Asking that one week and hopping to a new topic or question the next, doesn't give your chapter members enough time to have organic interactions that would result in a great referral. This way, throughout their day, week, and month- they will organically come across their own family, friends, clients, and referral partners that mention needing the exact thing you specialize in.

I believe we have a responsibility as healthcare professionals to be an educator, first. Sales/Outreach/Business Development will happen as a result but we must remain focused on educating the general population that we even exist to support them.

The biggest disconnect I have witnessed over the last decade in Senior Care is the gap between the healthcare/senior care industry and the consumers they are here to serve.

Consumers are at large, the general public, because everyone has aging loved ones- they just do. What they don't have, is a foundation of information or the tools to have the conversations to obtain it.

We owe it to them to educate, guide, and support them along the way.

Your referrals await you, in the repetition of your request of them.