Recruit Your Word-Of-Mouth Marketing Team

(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan)

Tip 4 - Recruit Your Word-Of-Mouth Marketing Team

These people
1. Know you very well,
2. Really like you,
3. Trust you.
They are influential people whose recommendations and testimonials carry great weight with your preferred clients and are willing to establish a reciprocal referral relationship with you. They help create buzz in the community because they believe in what you do..

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out." - Radio and TV Personality, Art Linkletter

Your action for today is to take a challenge or setback you are currently experiencing and turn it into a learning opportunity.

Profile Your Preferred Client

(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan)

Tip 3 - Profile Your Preferred Client

This directs you towards the diverse people you need to meet and helps to mold & clarify your message - i.e. how you describe your business when introducing yourself to someone in a networking encounter. You can be more effective at networking your business when you're able to profile your preferred client to those listening to your message. When a listener identifies a match, there's a good chance you'll get a referral.

"Maybe if we did a better job of listening, history wouldn't repeat itself." - Unknown Author.

Your action for today is to actively listen to your spouse, friend or customer

Block Out Time for Networking

(From the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan)

Tip 2 - Block Out Time to Network

There are four steps to changing a behavior: want it, learnt it, try it, and live it. For most of us, advertising won't produce enough new business to keep us going indefinitely. Networking, if done strategically and exceptionally well, has the potential to generate all of your new business by word of mouth. It is ultimately about generating referrals over time for your company. The time & energy you spend on networking are part of your sales & marketing program. Set aside the time necessary to be successful.


"To some will come a time when change itself is beauty, if not heaven." - Poet, Edwin Arlington Robinson

Your action for today is to think of something you've been meaning to change and take a step toward doing so.

Set Networking Goals

This time of year see's many people making New Years resolution for themselves - You know - Spend more time with their family, Lose a few pounds or just simply to Work less and I was no different. My New Years resolution this year - 'To have FUN & To work smarter - not harder'. For me that means not trying to reinvent the wheel, especially when I am fortunate to have so many fantastic people and resources in my life.

So whilst "That Referral Guy" will put together the newsletter, all the tips have come from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan

Tip 1 - Set Networking Goals

Each goal you create should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timed with a deadline.

S - Clearly defined with parameters
M - have some quantifiable way to measure progress
A - within reach
R - so you will be motivated to accomplish it
T - so you won't lose your focus and your desire.

"Being considerate of others will take you further in life than a college degree." - Author, Marian Wright Edelman

Your action for today is to focus on driving your vehicle in a very considerate manner.

Be Creative with your PROMOTIONS

If your in small business don't fall prey to the rapid discounting that the big businesses did last year. You can offer seasonal promotions that set your brand apart in a sustainable way, while supporting other local businesses and charitable organisations. For example, last year a men's clothing store in New York - Rothman's, offered its own version of "cash for clunkers" to get the attention of its readers. The promotion invited customers to turn in their old suits, which would be donated to charity, and the customer would get $100 toward a new suit. A similar concept can be used for many other businesses.

If you've got or have heard of another great promotion I would love for you to share it my blog.

For details on how you can attend the biggest NETWORKING EVENT EVER click the event.
Sydney event - Tuesday 10th November ONLY 15 days to go
N'cstle/Cent. Coast event - Thursday 12th November ONLY 17 days to go

"I would rather fail in an attempt to do something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done." - Writer, A.E. Hotchner

Your action for today is to do something new. For instance you can order a new dish at a restaurant you frequently visit, get a new style haircut or try a new approach with someone at work.