Your Best Referral Partners May NOT Be In Your Industry

Too many of us think the only move is to build relationships with people who understand our world. That the only referral partners are in the same industry, speak the same language, and have the same problems. But you are Living Local, and one of my goals is a mindset shift. 

Eventually, you will hit a wall of same industry referral partners, common sense tells us that in order to grow your business, you need to grow your sphere. And in the same vein, the most generous referral partners I have ever had were people who had absolutely nothing to compete with me over.

A financial planner sending me marketing referrals, or an insurance agent getting a call from my latest client; the focus for you should not just be connections within a specific business, but people with like values. When there is zero overlap, there is zero hesitation. And when there is zero hesitation, the referrals actually flow.

And this becomes the mindset shift, you will most assuredly have ideal referral partners, people that it comes naturally and fits within your industry; however, keep your eyes open for those that share the same people that you do as well. Do not get caught in the trap of, "I am in finances, so I connect only with CPA's and Realtors with homeowners." Be open to barber shops, wedding planners, or food truck owners - people in social settings that share your love of community (for example). Let your values be the driver for referral partners, not just industry indicators. 

And as we go along this week in the blog, I want to talk about how to find those people, how to start those conversations, and how to turn a casual acquaintance in a completely different field into one of the most consistent referral sources in your pipeline.

Because your best referral partner probably does not do what you do at all.

And as you see the value in referral marketing, visit www.LiveLocalWarmMarketing.com and try the 5 Day Challenge, a test drive to discover that referral marketing is right for you.