How to give quality referrals

This is not meant to be a comprehensive "how to" - it is an overview of how to go about being a 'Go-Giver'

Suggested Reading:

1. Find out who the other person's target customers are



2. Ask the person who else sells to that target customer



3. Think about who you know personally, and ask around



4. Reach out to prospects on behalf of the person you're giving the referral to. Make sure to name drop so that they know that you are a 'friend of a friend'



5. Ask permission to share the prospect's contact information



6. Introduce both parties via e-mail



7. Follow-up with an e-mail and phone call to confirm that they both received your e-mail. Ask when they plan to reach out to the other person, and/or when the other person should reach out to them



8. Follow-up with an e-mail and phone call to find out what happened

I hope this helps.

Is Network Marketing A Business?

My answer is a resounding NO.

Anyone that is an independent distributor with a network marketing company is an independent contractor, not a partner or shareholder in the business. As a matter of fact, network marketing companies have non-compete clauses in their independent distributor agreements that prevent its distributors from working with another network marketing company. If you are found to be doing so, the company reserves the right to terminate your distributorship (i.e. fire you).

Well, here are a few points to consider:

• Network marketing allows average people to generate passive, recurring income (which can can potentially lucrative)
• Sales training is done at the independent distributors own pace, and is often free of charge. The ability to sell is a coveted, invaluable skill.
• Independent distributors are taught operations (e.g. how to manage others, time management, forecasting, industry-specific expertise, etc.)
• The personal growth and development books and programs that the industry advocates are life-changing
• May be a compliment, supplement, or gateway to what you REALLY want to be doing.

I started my OWN business back in October 2007 (along with my business partner, Lisa Torres). Our company is called Grassroots Business Network, LLC. What we do is organize and promote networking events and developmental workshops specifically for small business owners with up to 10 employees, sales agents, freelancers (including network marketers), and those interested in starting their own business - whatever that may be. We are actively organizing and promoting events in NYC, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

I say without reservation that the skills, tools, and systems that Lisa and I have learned from network marketing has been invaluable in helping us to develop and grow our business.

Not only in business, but the skills that I have been able to develop in network marketing have allowed me to significantly increase my income in Corporate America, and have enabled me to seek and seize bigger and better opportunities with relative ease. Understand that it is not me, it is the training that network marketing provides.

You can not make one red cent with your network marketing distributorship, but you will become a better, more marketable you. These are some things that they don't teach you in the classroom. You instead learn by doing. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best: "Do the thing and get the power."

Here are a few books that I highly recommend: Why You're Dumb, Sick, and Broke, by Randy Gage; The Cashflow Quadrant, by Robert Kiyosaki; and Multiple Streams of Income, by Robert G. Allen

I hope that you found this blog entry to be thought-provoking.

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