Are You “Introducable”?

I don’t curse much. And when my daughter was young, I pretty much never even said, “Damn.” As she got a little older, that word did slip out from time to time. 

So my daughter bought me a Swear Jar – a piggy bank into which I was to put a quarter each time I said a “bad word.” Why am I telling you this? Stay with me…

 

DO I NEED A REFERRAL SWEAR JAR?

3 weeks ago, I was conducting a full-day session and mentioned a recent study that demonstrated that many clients don’t like to be asked for “referrals” but actually enjoy making “introductions.”

About an hour later, I was talking about becoming more “referable” so as to obtain more referrals without asking. A gentleman in the front row politely asked, “Don’t you mean introducable?”

He was right. And now, it appears I’m going to have to get a “Referral Swear Jar.”  I can see it now… During my speeches and workshops, each time I say “referrals” I’ll have to put a quarter in the jar. Old habits die hard.

The truth is, referrals (25¢) are pretty much worthless. It’s just so hard to reach people these days, that we have to think in terms of “introductions.”

 

5 Steps to Better Introductions

In the video that accompanies this blog, I run through 5 steps that will help you turn referrals (25¢) into introductions. 

(P.S. Make sure to keep watching until the end because around the 5:44 mark I share a link to download a FREE REPORT on how to secure better e-mail introductions (“Electronic Handshakes”) 

 

 

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#1 – Be assumptive for the introduction. I don’t believe you should ever assume someone is willing to give you referrals; that’s too aggressive.

 

#2 – Make it collaborative. Creating the introduction should be a joint effort between you and the referral source.

 

#3 – Make it about protecting the relationships. We want an introduction that feels safe to all parties concerned.

 

#4 – Take your time. Don’t rush through this. Get a good introduction.

 

#5 – A referral (25¢) doesn’t count unless it’s actionable!  I can’t emphasize this point enough.  Anything short of that is wishing and hoping.

 

FREE WEBINAR!

How to Talk About Your Value at Holiday Events (and Beyond)
A LIVE High-Content Client Acquisition Webinar From Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE  

Tuesday, November 21, 2017
12:00p Eastern | 11:00a Central | 10:00a Mountain | 9:00a Pacific 

Seating is Limited – CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE

• What do you say when your brother’s latest girlfriend asks, “So what do you do?” 
• What do you say when Uncle Ernie asks, “How’s business?”  
• How do you get friends or family interested in meeting with you for a business conversation?

For actionable strategies for leveraging holiday social events to grow your business this season, click here to reserve your seat at the table. 

 

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