I am very lucky to know a few very influential people within my general area and work with two of them as colleagues on a volunteer board of directors. One is an economic development director, another a city council member, and yet another is a CPA. I am accustomed to approaching other service providers and getting to know them by suggesting that we can refer each other some business, but that approach doesn't seem to fit for these individuals as they don't have clients, so to speak - or at least not any that would fall within my target market. They are, however, very well connected and respected in our communities. I just don't know how to ask them for referrals without sounding like I'm begging or even "let me tell you about me."

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get past this? If I can overcome this mental hurdle, it could be huge...

I can "hear" in your voice that you arent that sure of yourself and the services you are offering. My suggestion is to work on believing in yourself. Business isnt a begging process, its a collaboration of smart people doing what smart people do.

There is a chat that was archived not long ago about this subject but it was more about what your website should say, same rules apply... I read it and deleted the link. Let me look for it, maybe it will give you some ideas.

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

If you have regular conversations with them just tell them, I have started a business and then go from there. I am sure that they will be glad to talk to you about it. And in the mist of the conversation tell them you would appreciate any referrals. Tell the rest of your Board as well, you never know where work will come.

If you attend regular Board meetings take advantage of the time before the meeting begins to have "idle" conversation about what you are now doing. You would be surprised at how many of the members will be interested. And don't forget to always have cards with you to pass out!

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks to both of you for the feedback, and Shelley, I would be interested to see the info about what to say on the website. In the meantime, I've run across a website that has been immensely helpful on the topic that others might find helpful as well. It's common sense, really, but the author does such a wonderful job of framing it and explaining it in no-nonsense terms that I've enjoyed reading her e-newsletters. The website is www.networkingexcellence.com and I subscribed to the free Smarter Networking 7 day e-course. A good resource to have and to share with your clients...

Again, thank you for your replies!

This is a great thread and so true. Do you know if any of these people belong to any local networking groups? Specifically your local Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary Club? etc.
In my town, which is the county seat, there are almost a thousand members. Many are in large corporations, some are small business owners like myself. I don't know if they all are the same, but mine lets you post an ad on their Web site and lets you send out a flyer to each member upon joining. Does this help?
Jo-Carole

This is a nice link, thank you! In essence the information should be client based rather than information based. So instead of saying something like "I can help reduce your time in the office" you would say something like "Spend more time with your family".. this way you get their minds thinking about what else they could be doing with their time instead of slaving over paperwork. This would work with conversations also. I wish I could find the archived chat, it was interesting... Tess? Do you know how to find it?

Originally Posted by SavvyAssist

Thanks to both of you for the feedback, and Shelley, I would be interested to see the info about what to say on the website. In the meantime, I've run across a website that has been immensely helpful on the topic that others might find helpful as well. It's common sense, really, but the author does such a wonderful job of framing it and explaining it in no-nonsense terms that I've enjoyed reading her e-newsletters. The website is www.networkingexcellence.com and I subscribed to the free Smarter Networking 7 day e-course. A good resource to have and to share with your clients... Again, thank you for your replies!

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

awesome - great resource!!! Thank You