Asking for Referrals

Contact ten friends and family members and provide them with a five-minute education about how to refer you to others.  Once you have educated those in your inner circle, provide them with a stack of business cards or a welcome packet, and ask them to pass along your information to everyone they meet.  One of the easiest and most accessible forms of referrals comes from family, friends, and close colleagues.

If you are of the mindset that you do not want to “burden” those closest to you, I invite you to rethink your decision to become a business owner.  In order to sell yourself, you must believe in yourself enough to tell others about what you do with confidence, grace, and ease.

A great place to begin the process of “selling yourself” is to practice with those closest to you.  Ask them to give you feedback on your introduction/presentation/elevator speech.  Is it too long, too short, or too confusing?  If so, tweak your introduction to 7 words or less and practice it in the mirror until it gently rolls off your tongue.  Then ask for feedback once again.