Many businesses rely on word-of-mouth to generate awareness and sales for their company.
Think about how important reviews and ratings are when you purchase a product or service. How often do you ask someone for their opinion before you make a decision to invest – no matter how small the purchase?
If you own a company or have a business development position, then attending referral marketing or networking meetings could be what you’re looking for.
There are similarities between referral marketing and networking meetings. These include the basic premise of a group of people meeting regularly to get to know and support each other from the approach of generating positive business opportunities.
There is a structure to referral marketing and networking meetings that gives everyone a chance to present an ‘elevator pitch’ to the room.
Quite often, refreshments or a full meal (if a meeting is held at breakfast, lunchtime or in the early evening) is provided. Longer presentations can be delivered by members and sections of the meeting dedicated to hints and tips and learning new skills.
Regular members will invest in an organisation, usually in the form of an annual membership, to gain additional benefits. This will be covered below.
Despite the similarities, a networking meeting will often have more attendees than a referral marketing meeting. Whilst this is great for some businesses it does attract people who aren’t always willing to commit to the cause. That is, to dedicate time for the greater good of everyone involved in the group.
Networking events also focus less on the development of the individual person. Limited training is available along with activities outside of the actual meeting. The environment is vibrant but it’s also hard work if you want to get to know everybody around the table. Thirty-plus people in a room translates to a couple of weeks each year devoted to 1-2-1 meetings. At least it is if you want to play by the rules!
Conversely, referral marketing meetings have a loyal membership who stay within communities for much longer than a networking group. Over time, the relationships fostered are significantly stronger and the opportunities passed tend to be of greater quality and more qualified.
This isn’t the case for all networking versus referral marketing meetings, but it is typical of many.
Firstly, ask friends, family members and work colleagues about referral marketing and networking events. They may have already attended various meetings near you and can save you valuable time.
Secondly, try a simple Google search for “referral marketing events Altrincham” or “networking meetings in Altrincham” to find active events.
Thirdly, make a list of suitable events and pop them into your diary. It’s important to sample two or three different events to get a feel for the structure, culture and potential they can offer your business
Referral marketing and networking are available to any business type, regardless of how long it’s been in operation. Anyone can attend a meeting but it’s common to find sole-traders, micro business owners and professionals who hold a sales development or marketing role within an established business.
This is because these people are on the lookout for new leads and sales opportunities.
The chances of finding a free referral marketing or networking event in Altrincham will be slim. This is because most events are professionally organised, so venue fees and refreshments will be applicable.
That said, you will usually be able to attend a meeting one or two times before making a decision to join and pay a membership fee. This offers a taste for how these events work and you will get a feel for whether it’s a platform that could generate opportunities for your business.
Referral marketing and networking organisations are aware that the process isn’t for everyone and they will want to ensure guests, who are prospective members, are the right fit for their existing members.
It’s a meet and greet for everyone.
There is an Altrincham Team run by NetworkIN, one of several across Cheshire and Lancashire.
Altrincham was voted by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in the UK in 2020. The old market town is known for being child and dog-friendly, with a population of around 52,500. With close links to Manchester and Cheshire, Altrincham is home to Altrincham Football Club and three ice hockey clubs!
The Altrincham Team launched in autumn 2020 and meets fortnightly every Friday from 7:15am – 8:45am. Advocates support each other to grow and look out for opportunities that fit the profile of ideal customers – it’s like having an expanded sales team of your own.
The benefits of referral marketing are plenty and when you become part of a trusted community, opportunities start to flow naturally. As well as the meetings, advocates gain access to free personal development and business growth training, an abundance of social events and access to widespread promotional opportunities.
There are many benefits to attending referral marketing events. It helps to have an organisation located in Altrincham to keep opportunities geographically relevant.
Fortnightly structured meetings
A chance to build your authority
Sector exclusivity
Free introductory training and business planning
The opportunity to publicise events and courses
Access to a personalised return on investment tracking system
Additional awareness created from online promotional resources
Corporate social responsibility opportunities to work alongside the NetworkIN charity consortium
The first step to seeing if this word-of-mouth platform is for you is to attend a meeting – get in touch with the NetworkIN team today.
Be IN the know and IN the now with NetworkIN.
percent of consumers identify word of mouth as a key influencer in their purchasing decision – Ogilvy, Google, TNS.
percent higher profit margins are achieved from a referred customer - Annexcloud
percent increased marketing effectiveness generated using from word of mouth - Market Share
percent of consumers trust referrals from people they know - Nielsen
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