3 Tips to Build Relationships with Referral Sources
With all the various social media platforms available today, it’s easy to focus your marketing time here because it’s generally less time consuming to engage from your computer than to attend virtual functions and build relationships.
Suppose you depend solely on social media for your marketing. In that case, you’re missing a vast opportunity to market your legal nurse consulting business to people who can hire you or refer attorney clients to you.
Your marketing goal should always be to build relationships with people you can help with your products or services. Even though you may be tempted, don’t push a hard sell on people you’ve just met. They don’t know you, so they likely won’t spend their hard-earned cash on your services.
However, by interacting with them at virtual networking events or legal nurse consulting conferences, in addition to engaging them on social media, you have built a foundation. These more robust relationships, which may ultimately lead to them buying from you or referring you to attorney clients.
How to Get Started Networking
The idea of walking into a virtual room without knowing a single soul can no doubt be daunting. But the alternative of not sharing your story and your mission to those who may be seeking this exact answer to their problems is equally troubling.
No matter how you want to start networking in real life, put on your brave face and tackle your social fears head-on.
1. Join a Relevant Business Networking Group
There are often dozens of business networking groups and chambers of commerce spread across the country in every locale, so you really can pick and choose which group is best for you. Yes, you want to reap a reward for being a part of the group, but your acceptance into any business group will depend on what you can contribute.
Most business owners have never heard of legal nurse consultants and are intrigued by what we do. And most business owners know attorneys who handle medical cases. They are in a position to make a referral of you to an attorney. And first, they need to get to know you.
After all, it’s all about building relationships.
2. Present at Virtual Workshops
What better way to showcase your authority and expertise than to speak to your local community of attorneys? Find out if the local bar association meets online, and if they welcome guest speakers. If your presentation is educational and relevant to the community, you’ll be a step further to getting a booking.
3. Volunteer in the Community
Look for groups or charities that are relevant to your experience, but don’t go in thinking you need to change everything. Building relationships should be a positive experience, so offer your guidance and input when asked. Otherwise, enjoy conversing with other volunteers, board members, and administrative personnel, all of whom hold the possibility of referring you to their family, friends, or other networking contacts.
Pat Iyer MSN RN LNCC delighted in repeat business and thanking referral sources.