The Personal Touch

Good marketing is built on good relationships, which often means marketing that goes beyond the usual print ads, direct mail initiatives, or business directory listings.  Good relationships are built with consistent, credible marketing activities that also include some level of personal involvement.  Whether it’s the message of your marketing or scheduling face-to-face meetings with leads and potential clients, “the personal touch” can be instrumental in building a good marketing relationship with your customers.

One of the most effective “personal touch” methods, of course, is networking.  But are you doing everything you can to make sure your networking efforts are working for you?  Here are some easy networking strategies you can use today to help improve referrals, create new introductions, and generate more business!

1. Make sure your business associates, customers, and colleagues all have a really good understanding of what you do.  If these people clearly understand what you have to offer, it will be easy for them to recommend your products and services to others.  Take advantage of this “mini sales force” and equip them to work effectively for you!

2. Get some “face time” with new prospects.  When you receive a new lead from someone you know, ask if he or she would like to have lunch and invite the new lead to join you.  This way, you get an in-person introduction to your new lead, and can also show your appreciation to the person who passed along the lead to you.

3. Be intentional about referrals.  Let others know that your goal is to grow your business, and that “word of mouth” referrals are a key part of achieving that goal.  Be sure to be a good referral partner for others too, and ask how you can best refer business to them as well.

4. Consider joining a networking group. There are many business networking groups for you to choose from, so be sure to select one where the primary objective is to refer business to each other.

5. Attend networking events. This seems like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating.  Make the time to attend business functions, Chamber of Commerce events, and community events as part of your regular marketing efforts.  It will help you gain visibility for your company as well as build credibility in the community. Plus, you never know who you might meet that could be a great referral partner or your next big client!