Jump to the content

 

 

0845 068 0888

The Joy of Business

 

[Page Content]

Latest Articles

Getting referrals from your business

If you regularly read my articles you’ll know that I’m a big fan of networking as a way of promoting your business, and you’ll have seen some of the articles where I talk about how to network. 
So if you’ve developed (or started) a network of lovely people, I want to talk about how you can encourage people to send you business.  Getting referrals has in some ways got a bit of bad reputation, because it’s seen as hard sell, and people don’t respond well to anyone who is trying too hard to sell them something.
But you do need to make the most of your network to bring you customers - otherwise all you’ve got is a bunch of people who are almost friends. 

So, how do you get referrals?

 

[Page Content]

Networking Groups


I regularly recommend networking as a great marketing tool to my business clients - it can be amazingly effective if you go about it in the right way

These are some of the business networking groups in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, with some thoughts about each to help you decide which is the right group for you.

These groups are face to face networking, but you might also want to look at some of the online networking groups in Brighton as well

Julia Chanteray

if you would like to keep up to date with the best business networking events in Brighton and Hove, and events that Julia is speaking at, then do subscribe to the Joy of Business newsletter

 

Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce
Green Icon

Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce offers great networking opportunities. You'll meet people from a wide range of companies across Brighton.

I've got a vested interest here because I'm the Vice President of the Chamber, but I'm Vice President simply because I think this is one of the most lively and interesting networking organisations in the city, despite sounding as if it's full of dull old codgers (it's not.)

Check out one of their meetings (you can come along as a guest to try it out) and see what you think.

 

Hove Business Association

HBA is run by some lovely people, and concentrates on what matters for businesses in Hove. I'm not allowed to go as I'm at the other end of Brighton :) although I'm giving a talk about networking at their conference in September. One to support if you're in Hove.

Our Ethical Network

Specifically for businesses which are run on ethical principles, Our Ethical Network is based in Brighton, and has a fast growing list of different businesses who want to share experiences of running businesses with principles.

If you're interested in business ethics, by the way, you might want to check out my article on how to keep your business ethical and profitable.

Sister Snog

Sister Snog has a great name - a good example of branding that sticks in your head, whether you like it or not.

Sister Snog is a women only networking group based in London that has recently started doing events in Brighton.

They organise very tasty dinners and lunches and there's plenty of time to get to know people over some good food and a glass of wine. The meetings have a very relaxed atmosphere and there are some lovely people.

This group is more likely to suit you if your purpose in networking is to be with other business people, get support and make friends. It's definitely a long term strategy for business development. It's also quite pricey, which can be good if you want to meet slightly bigger businesses (although the women I met were still predominantly one woman businesses) but not so good if you have a limited budget for networking. That reminds me - you have set a budget for your networking just like any other marketing expense, haven't you?

The Womens Networking Company

The Women's Networking Company runs networking groups across the South East, including one group in Brighton, and another in Hove.

They're pretty friendly and welcoming, and the fact that the meetings are women only gives it a different dynamic. You get a good lunch too, especially at the meetings at Seven Dials restaurant.

 pink Icon

First Friday Lewes

This is an open group that meets on the first Friday of the month at The Lamb in Lewes. It's free to come along, and there's getting to be a good crowd of people. It's run by a good friend of mine Robin Houghton (who knows everything you need to know about online marketing.)

 

Brighton BNI

BNI works really well for some people and not so well for others. If you can easily describe the nature of your business to others, are happy to generate lots of referrals for other people in the group, and like getting up early, the BNI could be for you. If you want to sell to consumers, or to other small businesses, then BNI is a good bet.

However, if you need to network with larger companies, or sell something a little bit strange or technical, then BNI may not be such a good investment.

I'd advise going along to a meeting - BNI is a bit of a Marmite organisation, you either love it or you hate it!

Many people in Brighton have recommended the Pavilion BNI chapter as being particularly welcoming and and dynamic.

Brighton Breakfast Club

The Brighton Breakfast Club is similar to BNI. It's a closed group (ie, they only allow one member per type of business) and the group is very focussed on generating referrals for each other.

As with BNI, check it out, and see what you think...

CADIA

CADIA is for businesses based in the Gatwick Diamond and has a good mixture of businesses, including some bigger and more established businesses. Some people think that it's a bit more serious than some of the other groups.

Federation of Small Businesss

FSB has a lot of members and offers some good benefits when you join, including some money saving offers on banking and insurance.

They don' t have a lot of actual networking events in Brighton and Hove, as they're more focussed on lobbying on behalf of businesses nationally. Do check them out for the money they could save you though...

Institute of Directors

The IoD have networking events all over Sussex. It's not for everyone, as some people find it a bit too male dominated and possibly right wing. Some people have said that they expected the IoD to have a lot more bigger businesses, and were therefore disappointed when they found that most people who go are from small and medium sized businesses. As with all these networking groups, what's important is that you find an arena where you feel comfortable and that you can forge good relationships with people that you respect, and some people have definitely been able to do this at the IoD.

Go along to one of their events (they do have some pretty interesting things going on.)

Vine Brighton

Vine Brighton is a lovely young group, run by a former client of mine, Sarah Bird of AnimNation. Vine is free, usually meets in a pub and is very relaxed and informal. I was honoured to be asked to speak at their very first meeting, and they've gone from strength to strength since then.

Wired Sussex

Wired Sussex provides services, and networking events, for new media businesses, primarily in Brighton. They have some interesting events, and some good speakers.

If you're a new media business, Wired Sussex also have some great resources to help you out.

Women in Media

Women in Media is an offshoot of Wired Sussex with women only events and training. Great breakfast events.

 

Note that the Brighton and Hove Enterprise Agency has now merged with the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, who are continuing their series of networking events for small businesses.