Most skilled networkers have a network of people who send them qualified, pre-sold leads. (If you don't have lots of people sending these referrals to you, now would be a great time to start.)

The accepted etiquette is for the networker to send a gift, a card, make a phone call or at least acknowledge and recognize the person who sent you this great referral. And this we should do right away.

With a little imagination, you can send thoughtful gifts that will excite your source of these referrals and get him to send you more. I have given:

   * A simple phone call.
   * Dinner, movie tickets, and paid for the babysitter.
   * A weekend stay at a local hotel.
   * A coupon for fishing tackle.
   * Cash.
   * A car (the referral earned me $5,000 a month, so this made sense.)
   * A digital camera.
   * A gift basket with natural skin care products.
   * Chocolate.

You will be amazed at the response you get from people who you appreciate for helping you. Many people just live for appreciation and will constantly send you new, pre-sold prospects for your products and opportunity.

But here is the ugly side:

You create negativity when you do not recognize or appreciate the person who sent you the referrals.

Even the nicest person will think, "I can't believe it. I send a great referral that buys, and I don't even get a thank-you card. I'm never going to help this person again!"

Forgetting this simple etiquette will kill off your referrals and give you a bad reputation. You'll be driving your business right off the cliff, plummeting toward disaster.

So please, remember the people who help.

And, if you don't have lots of "bird dogs" and advocates sending you pre-sold business, now would be an excellent time to start. The pros do it. Join them with one of the easiest ways to build your business - referrals.

Written by:  Tom 'Big Al' Schreiter

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