Published July 2002

Maximize opportunities
with referral networking

Do you realize that women network every day? In addition to chamber events or association meetings, it might be at the grocery store, our church or even on an airplane. We make recommendations on new restaurants, favorite books, the person that cleans our house or works on our car.

Women are natural-born networkers. Let’s transfer this natural skill of helping others to referral networking.

What is referral networking?

It is the concept of actively listening for what others are looking for and then offering a connection from people within your business network. For example, I carry around business cards of people in my network.

I believe that business networking in the 21st century is truly about helping others get what they are looking for. Referral networking can be taken a step further by creating a referral team of people that service your target market.

An example might be if you are a copywriter, then you could select a printer, a Web master and a graphic designer. Each of you would act as lead generators for the members of your referral team. Since you are already meeting with the client, you would mention the services of your team and offer their business cards.

Another idea would be to take a prospective client to lunch or do joint presentations with your entire team. The key benefit would be that you have worked together on previous projects, and it saves the client time from meeting with each individually.

Whether you are new to networking or wanting to maximize your networking opportunities, I encourage you to take a few minutes to think about what you want to achieve from your business networking experiences. I suggest that you set an intention for each event you attend: Do you want new clients? Are you looking for referral partners? Are you promoting an upcoming workshop?

Create a 30-second self-introduction that is clear and concise. Does it effectively educate others on how they can send you business? Remember, you are not just promoting to the person you are talking to, you want to be referred into their networks.

After each event, take a few minutes to review your results.

What networking opportunities are available in the Everett area for businesswomen?

Here’s just a few, with time and contact information:

• eWomenNetwork hosts Accelerated Networking luncheon events on the third Wednesday of the month (425-774-2795 or karen.pike@verizon.net).
• The Everett Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly networking breakfast on the second Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. (425-438-1487 or tracy@everettchamber.com).
• Business & Professional Women hosts an evening meeting on the fourth Monday of the month (425-303-9713 or gaylord_house@msn.com).
• The Northwest Women’s Business Center, in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosts the Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training on July 26, Sept. 20 and Nov. 22 of this year (425-787-9856 or jamie.nwwbc@snoedc.org).

What’s eWomenNetwork?

In my search for an effective venue to bring women together to promote their products and services, I discovered and brought eWomenNetwork’s monthly Accelerated Networking events to Seattle in October 2001.

eWomenNetwork members are committed to helping women and their businesses achieve, succeed and thrive in the new economy. We teach the concept of referral networking.

Now, just eight months later, monthly events are held in Seattle, Bellevue and Everett, and Tacoma begins later this summer.

Visit www.eWomenNetwork.com, request a guest pass (when asked, respond that Anne Alberg sent you) and discover for yourself why this is the fastest-growing membership-based professional women’s networking organization in North America.

Anne Alberg has been hosting eWomenNetwork.com Accelerated Networking events and recently launched CopiaConnect.com, an online business women’s resource directory and event registration for women’s organizations and events. She can be reached at 425-822-5636 or anne@copiaconnect.com.

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