I've actually met with a few people for coffee so far based on interactions here on Alignable. Whether or not an opportunity to refer business is yet to be seen since the relationships are so new. But still, things seem promising since they seemed to be leaders in their respective lines of business.
Update 10/4/2016: I had a handful more in-person meetings that stemmed from a connection I had made contact with on Alignable a little over a month ago. Based on these meetings, not only was I able to introduce two professionals who I'm confident will do business together, but I have also received a referral for new business myself.
So, all in all, I'd say that it's proven to be a great place to network, at least for me. My advice is to connect with as many people who are local to you and start trying to build some long-term working relationships. As long as you're good at what you do, and sincere, I can't see why you wouldn't eventually benefit monetarily. Plus, you'll be able to refer business to others...win-win. If you're here to pitch everyone on the handshake, you'll surely end up losing in the long run.
I've referred and been referred by contacts I've met on Alignable and then met in person. I have 2 customers that I met initially through Alignable by answering their questions and trying to help. I've also connected with future partners and paved the way for other customers that may come my way in the future. What works for me is trying to help without worrying about getting anything back. What comes, will come and if it doesn't then I will still continue to help when I can. Alignable makes it possible for me to meet local business owners who otherwise have found a way to stay in the shadows behind gatekeepers. I think they and I like Alignable because it allows us to communicate without any perceived obligation either of us at first.
Yes, I've recommended some vendors that I have had consistently good services from either as a customer or because they have served my customers well. I never endorse or recommend another business unless I personally have had experience with them myself. In other words I don't do quid pro quo endorsements.
It depends. A direct referral, no. However, I was able to connect with an owner who was looking for more business. She liked what I did (being able to start business networking, referral groups) and signed up to start a club.
Currently, we have 4 clubs growing in the area! All because of one good connection.
Which leads to my main point - it's all about RELATIONSHIPS not "selling" your product. If you are seen as someone their can get to know, like and trust, and they get to know your product or service well enough - when there is an opportunity to make a referral they will.
Don't think for a minute that you'll get referrals just because you're listed here. (You might, of course, which would be great!)
==============================================
On a side note, James. I would make a suggestion that you "update" your profile a little.
Tell us more about what you do - specifically; why you and your company are different; why we should consider using you; and what locations you serve. Are you online? Do folks "need" to be in New York to use your recruiting services? What industries to you handle?
Those are some of the things I'd like to know before I say to my friend, Bill - "Hey, contact James! He can help." Right now, I can't tell enough about YOU or ZAR to have an opinion or make a recommendation. It seems to me you left a lot of white space on your profile.
Sorry, not trying to be a pain. My suggestion is not meant as anything more than a suggestion. Take it, leave it, or toss it out. No worries.
My answer is yes. I have been referred from Alignable at least 4 times so far and I have sent referrals for many people on the site. I know of those that have referred me because I got work out of them. I was able to get several decent consulting gigs and now two really good (paying) speaking opportunities. My previous estimate of the additional revenue was around $9k but it has gone up closer to about $12K since that initial calculation. When I say referrals, I'm not talking about just writing a recommendation on the site - tho that is very nice too - but specifically referring me for a job or project. I do also send referrals - I send them for people not on Alignable too, but if someone is on Alignable it is very easy to just link to their profile or to click the share button and share them out on social media (usually in answer to a question someone has posted in a group looking for help with a particular topic). I also use the referral flyers, I link to it from my email blasts to my customers/followers/supporters with a link that says Businesses I Recommend and I think a few people on that list (my recommendations) have also gotten work but I only just started doing it so am not positive that it resulted in anything big. But my answer is yes. I do and have been referred on this site. Hope this is helpful!
I have recommended one business. It's only one because I know the owner personally. I am hesitant to recommend businesses I'm not familiar with. Either I need to have done business with them myself or have heard feedback from others who have directly used the business. I got burned one time recommending a company that I didn't know very well to a client and it ended up being a very negative experience for my client. Not only does it make them look bad, but it makes me look bad too. After that, my rule is to recommend businesses that I have reliable information about and either personal experiences or direct recommendations from.
I too am very new and yet to make connections. Although my business may be a bit more challenging to network with, being an independent minister that performs weddings, is a bit different than offering an analysis of a business or other day-to-day type services needed by most. I am open to networking as my couples will need some of the services offered within Alignable.
I have and have gotten a great response and currently working to set up more relationships. I like exchanging ideas of what works and doesn't for their business and get great tips for my own business
Business from Temecula, CA
Answered on Mar 26th, 2017
It was great looking back through the various comments from all over. Thanks John Rivera, Dan Hahn, and Ron Huggins to name a few. We are brand new like very many of you and are very optimistic about this particular network. Being that we manufacture truly healthy, delicious products, all of your businesses provide possibilities for us and Annabelle's social media network is large enough internationally that we hope we can help promote businesses in locations that don't make it possible to meet for coffee.
We have begun reaching out to those in our local area and hope to learn good ways to connect with people about their business while providing a value to them as well. Feel free to get in touch with us, no matter where you live, and let's see if we can help one another!
Join Your Local
Business Network
Connect & get quality referrals
from Small Business Owners
Answers (1-10)
I've actually met with a few people for coffee so far based on interactions here on Alignable. Whether or not an opportunity to refer business is yet to be seen since the relationships are so new. But still, things seem promising since they seemed to be leaders in their respective lines of business.
Update 10/4/2016: I had a handful more in-person meetings that stemmed from a connection I had made contact with on Alignable a little over a month ago. Based on these meetings, not only was I able to introduce two professionals who I'm confident will do business together, but I have also received a referral for new business myself.
So, all in all, I'd say that it's proven to be a great place to network, at least for me. My advice is to connect with as many people who are local to you and start trying to build some long-term working relationships. As long as you're good at what you do, and sincere, I can't see why you wouldn't eventually benefit monetarily. Plus, you'll be able to refer business to others...win-win. If you're here to pitch everyone on the handshake, you'll surely end up losing in the long run.
I've referred and been referred by contacts I've met on Alignable and then met in person. I have 2 customers that I met initially through Alignable by answering their questions and trying to help. I've also connected with future partners and paved the way for other customers that may come my way in the future. What works for me is trying to help without worrying about getting anything back. What comes, will come and if it doesn't then I will still continue to help when I can. Alignable makes it possible for me to meet local business owners who otherwise have found a way to stay in the shadows behind gatekeepers. I think they and I like Alignable because it allows us to communicate without any perceived obligation either of us at first.
Yes, I've recommended some vendors that I have had consistently good services from either as a customer or because they have served my customers well. I never endorse or recommend another business unless I personally have had experience with them myself. In other words I don't do quid pro quo endorsements.
No... I reached out once but never received a response. Nothing like real, face to face networking I suppose..
It depends. A direct referral, no. However, I was able to connect with an owner who was looking for more business. She liked what I did (being able to start business networking, referral groups) and signed up to start a club.
Currently, we have 4 clubs growing in the area! All because of one good connection.
Which leads to my main point - it's all about RELATIONSHIPS not "selling" your product. If you are seen as someone their can get to know, like and trust, and they get to know your product or service well enough - when there is an opportunity to make a referral they will.
Don't think for a minute that you'll get referrals just because you're listed here. (You might, of course, which would be great!)
==============================================
On a side note, James. I would make a suggestion that you "update" your profile a little.
Tell us more about what you do - specifically; why you and your company are different; why we should consider using you; and what locations you serve. Are you online? Do folks "need" to be in New York to use your recruiting services? What industries to you handle?
Those are some of the things I'd like to know before I say to my friend, Bill - "Hey, contact James! He can help." Right now, I can't tell enough about YOU or ZAR to have an opinion or make a recommendation. It seems to me you left a lot of white space on your profile.
Sorry, not trying to be a pain. My suggestion is not meant as anything more than a suggestion. Take it, leave it, or toss it out. No worries.
My answer is yes. I have been referred from Alignable at least 4 times so far and I have sent referrals for many people on the site. I know of those that have referred me because I got work out of them. I was able to get several decent consulting gigs and now two really good (paying) speaking opportunities. My previous estimate of the additional revenue was around $9k but it has gone up closer to about $12K since that initial calculation. When I say referrals, I'm not talking about just writing a recommendation on the site - tho that is very nice too - but specifically referring me for a job or project.
I do also send referrals - I send them for people not on Alignable too, but if someone is on Alignable it is very easy to just link to their profile or to click the share button and share them out on social media (usually in answer to a question someone has posted in a group looking for help with a particular topic). I also use the referral flyers, I link to it from my email blasts to my customers/followers/supporters with a link that says Businesses I Recommend and I think a few people on that list (my recommendations) have also gotten work but I only just started doing it so am not positive that it resulted in anything big. But my answer is yes. I do and have been referred on this site. Hope this is helpful!
I have recommended one business. It's only one because I know the owner personally. I am hesitant to recommend businesses I'm not familiar with. Either I need to have done business with them myself or have heard feedback from others who have directly used the business. I got burned one time recommending a company that I didn't know very well to a client and it ended up being a very negative experience for my client. Not only does it make them look bad, but it makes me look bad too. After that, my rule is to recommend businesses that I have reliable information about and either personal experiences or direct recommendations from.
I too am very new and yet to make connections. Although my business may be a bit more challenging to network with, being an independent minister that performs weddings, is a bit different than offering an analysis of a business or other day-to-day type services needed by most. I am open to networking as my couples will need some of the services offered within Alignable.
I have and have gotten a great response and currently working to set up more relationships. I like exchanging ideas of what works and doesn't for their business and get great tips for my own business
It was great looking back through the various comments from all over. Thanks John Rivera, Dan Hahn, and Ron Huggins to name a few. We are brand new like very many of you and are very optimistic about this particular network. Being that we manufacture truly healthy, delicious products, all of your businesses provide possibilities for us and Annabelle's social media network is large enough internationally that we hope we can help promote businesses in locations that don't make it possible to meet for coffee.
We have begun reaching out to those in our local area and hope to learn good ways to connect with people about their business while providing a value to them as well. Feel free to get in touch with us, no matter where you live, and let's see if we can help one another!