Do you have a referral plan?
Do people know your idea client?
If you answered no to any of the above questions, today is the day to transform the "NO" into 'YES!"
Speaking in a networking event today, I opened up my 60 second introduction with a request for referrals. My speech began like this: "
If you know someone who is tired of fighting the event planning maze or if you know someone who is looking for a few sponsors for an upcoming event text her/him right now and tell them to visit: www.KarmaOviquio.com and as you all may have guessed, I'm Karma Oviquio.
Now, not only did I give them a WIIFM (what's in it for me?) statement, I asked them to immediately refer someone to me. How's that for a referral plan?
Most of the time, it's who you know but when it comes to networking and word of mouth in the event planning industry or in any industry, its' WKY (Who Knows You?) That's why its important to ask those clients, friends and event attendees what they absolutely loved about your event and what they truly couldn't stand! That's right, you've got to ask them because you'll need to call on them again for the referrals to keep your business going.
Now that you have the referral, what do you do?
Well, if you're me, you connect with them on a social network and you go through their timeline and look for pictures of events they attended and or have given. I always do this before I make the initial phone call. Why? Well, it will tell you what sorority/fraternity they belong to, what little leagues their children are affiliated with, the love of sports, what type of events they attend and if you look really carefully, you'll find which ones' they dislike. (they don't smile in those photos, lol)
sidenote: In the event planning and event sponsorship industry a referral is powerful and continually rated as the best form of marketing.
