Curious about rules of thumb for Biznik referrals

Great questions, Joe.

First off, yes you can refer yourself to Bizniks and you should record those through the web site. Each time you send a referral (either yourself or someone else) you are added to that person's Referral Network (a list of names and thumbnail-sized photos on their Profile page.)

A member's Referral Network is a great tool for others to see who's services have been used and by whom. If you have a question about a member's services, you can contact someone in their Referral Network to ask their opinion.

As far as answering the question of when is a referral really a referral - it's case-by-case and ultimately up to each member (on the receiving end) to decide what constitutes an appropriate referral for them.

I generally do not record a referral unless I have done some leg work for the person. If someone on one of my email discussion lists asks for the name of a good caterer, and I reply with the name and number of a caterer, a link to their web site and their Biznik profile, a glowing recommendation, AND if I email the caterer and let them know to expect a call from someone and ask that they treat them with special care - then that constitutes as a referral.

But say I'm out with some girlfriends and friend of a friend mentions she's getting married. If I casually toss out the name of a Biznik who's a caterer with only a, "You should call him - he's great." I don't think that's enough to constitute a referral.

Ideally, it's up to each member to educate other members on what's a good referral for them.

For some people, hanging their flyer on a bulletin board in a health club is something they'd consider a referral. For others only introductions to people who are expecting to hear from them and have a 90% chance of leading to business count.

This is done with the "accepted" and "rejected" status.

One case in point. I do not like cold calls. If a member sends me a referral for Swedish Hospital and says, "They deliver babies, you should call someone there about advertising your baby photography services." I would gently reject the referral, see if they know someone specifically at Swedish, and ask them if they could make an introduction for me.

Another case in point. I received a referral from someone who's friends was an author who needed some headshots done for a book she is publishing. Seems pretty straight forward. I'm a photographer. I specialize in portraits - might be a great gig for me.

Fact is, it was not a great gig. In my portrait jobs I use film, natural light and take up to 100 shots. I have a low sitting fee that covers my time and the cost of the film developing. The client does not get the negatives or the rights to use the images in any way. I make up the cost through the sale of prints. This works well with families.

An author's headshot could be shot digitally, would probably need artificial light depending on the look they wanted, and might only need a dozen shots. Rather than buying prints from me, they'll probably only want one of the images, and they'll need a license to use the image. If the book is for sale, we'll need to factor in a contract for royalties from the sale of the book - all things that some photographers deal with every day, but I do not.

So I rejected the referral, gave an explanation as to why it was not a good referral for me and gave suggestions for other Bizniks who could do the job better than I.

Lastly, you said that you feel uncomforable asking "prospects" if the Biznik you have in mind can contact them. I understand and often feel uncomfortable with the same thing. I tend to take it on a case by case basis. In some cases, like if the prospect asked me for the name of someone in a specific industry (say a caterer) I might say, "Hey I know you're really busy. If it'd be easier for you, I could call the caterer I know and see if he can call you directly."

Hope this is helpful. ::Lara

Lara (and all),

Your post underscores all the lectures about Biznik members completing our profiles. The more specifics there are about the kinds of things that people do, and need/want, the more targeted and worthwhile I can make my referrals. Your photography example is a good one. While I have known for years now several of the Biznik photographers, I am still learning who is inclined to what type of photography. Having Biznik profiles with descriptions of a member's niche is educational, and makes it clear that I should send the new mom's to you, and those seeking "professional" headshots ought probably get referred to Michelle Bates, and so on.

In the same vein, knowing the specifics of what Bizniks are (or are not) seeking is helpful. Want referrals? Tell me. Up to your eyeballs in work already? Let me know ... and so on.

Cheers.

Yep. Great reminder for me to go update my own profile. Thanks, Leila!