Reasons Why You Don't Get More Referrals...

Often times I will hear members say, "I just don't get many referrals. I don't know if this networking 'stuff' works for me." Yes, we all joined AmSpirit Business Connections for the same reasons. We want more referrals for our businesses. The question is, "How do we get more referrals?"

It's better to illustrate what 'not to do' in order to have a better appreciation of networking, I think. Too many people sabotage their efforts and you probably for witnessed firsthand some of the bad networking behaviors. Here's a partial list of what 'not to do':

1. Don't follow up with the referrals you are given. Misplace the referral slip given to you and then do not bother asking the person who gave you the referral to provide the information again.

2. Better yet, do not ever give feedback to the person who provided the referral. That way they'll never know if you made a connection or not.

3. Always talk about your business, focusing on what you need. You don't have time to learn about what others need in their businesses, you've got a quota to hit.

4. Go to networking events and pass out as many business cards as possible. Don't take the time to talk to anyone at length. It'll cut down on how many cards you can pass out.

5. Don't give referrals to anyone unless they give one to you first. Let them know you keep score and if they're not going to give something to you, you won't help them either. Also be sure to tell other members in your chapter that you don't get referrals from anyone.

6. Don't get to know anyone from other chapters, it takes too much time. It's hard enough just going to your own chapter meetings every week.

7. If you have a chance to meet a paying client, schedule them over your weekly chapter meeting. It's much better to try to close that one sale than to go meet with your networking group. You probably wouldn't have gotten any referrals that day anyway.

8. Miss meetings for any reason, most likely they won't even know you're not there. Time management is important to you and you can get more done if you don't elect to attend your networking meetings regularly.

9. Don't meet one-on-one with other chapter members. You'll see them at weekly chapter meetings (at least the ones you attend). So why should you take another hour out of your week to meet them individually? It seems like a waste of time.

10. Don't go to any of your chapter or area wide socials. You've put in a full day already, why extend the workday any longer? It's better go get home and unwind watching TV instead. You'll be better rested for the next workday.

So, how many people do you recognize in any of the above statements? You may have even chuckled at the recollection of seeing some of these behaviors in action. If you ever find yourself asking 'Why don't I get more referrals?' do a quick analysis of yourself to be sure you aren't exhibiting any of these behaviors.