Advertise on podcast: Business Networking & Referrals with Faithann Basore

What should you tell a business owner before making a referral introduction through a group text or email? Getting permission to connect two people is an important step. The information you share before that introduction helps your referral partner make a strong first impression and move the conversation forward. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares six details to pass along before making an introduction so your referral partner can show up prepared, respond thoughtfully, and understand what the potential client needs. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “I have a possible referral for you” is a useful way to open your message. How to explain the conversation that led to your recommendation. Why someone’s schedule matters when setting expectations for follow-up. What to share when a potential client already uses another provider. How to clarify where the introduction will happen and how the person prefers to communicate. Why your referral partner should know the specific compliments you’ve shared about their business. Thoughtful business referrals build trust on both sides of the introduction. They also model the kind of communication you want your networking partners to use when referring business to you. Try this before your next introduction: Give your referral partner a heads-up with the context they need to begin the conversation confidently. Related listening: Episode 102: Explore the three questions people may silently ask before accepting your recommendation. Episode 99: Nervous About Networking? Be a Tourist, Part One: Share this with a business owner who wants to feel more comfortable networking. Know a business owner who wants to build stronger referral relationships? Share this episode so they can put these ideas into practice. Join Faithann's free Facebook group, The Networker's Tour Guide for weekly networking tips and tricks during "Live at 5."

In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares three questions people may silently ask when you recommend someone, along with conversational ways to answer them. You’ll learn how to give your recommendations more credibility, explain why a particular business fits their needs, and help a connection move forward without pushing for an outcome. In this episode: How well do you know this business? Explain whether you’ve hired them, heard trusted testimonials, or referred others who had a great experience. Is there something in this for you? Be transparent about referral incentives while sharing why you believe in the recommendation. Why is this business right for me? Ask more questions so you can connect someone with a provider who fits their specific situation. Bonus: What’s your track record? Learn when sharing your history of helpful recommendations can give someone more confidence. Faithann also explains why following up on past referrals strengthens future recommendations, how regular conversations with referral partners keep your information current, and when it’s time to step back and let someone decide. Before you create that group text or email, there’s one more step: get permission from both people and be clear about how you plan to introduce them. Thoughtful referrals can build goodwill with both the person receiving help and the business owner you recommend. Related episodes: Episodes 99 and 100 explore how approaching networking with a tourist’s mindset can help you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar rooms. Keep learning: Join The Networker’s Tour Guide Facebook group for weekly live networking tips, opportunities to share your offers and events, and conversations about where members are networking. You don’t have to live in Oklahoma City to join. Go and network, my friend. I’m rooting for you.

When someone wants to introduce you to a visitor at your networking meeting, do you make room for that introduction, or keep talking with someone you already know? Your established relationships have months, maybe years, of trust behind them. A brand-new connection is starting without that shared history. How you respond can help that person feel welcome, comfortable, and glad they walked into the room. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore uses a golf handicap analogy to explore why new connections need extra attention and how familiar conversations can cause us to miss opportunities to welcome someone new. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between your “ones,” “twos,” and “threes” and how those relationships shape your networking conversations. Why making room for an introduction matters, especially when someone has specifically chosen you to meet their visitor. How keeping open networking conversations light makes it easier to pause and welcome others. Why sensitive business issues and deeply personal conversations deserve a separate meeting. How curiosity can turn into interrogation and what to watch for when someone becomes uncomfortable. How to help newcomers see that the relationships you enjoy are possible for them, too. Your next-meeting challenge: Keep conversations with familiar referral partners easy to pause. When someone brings a new person over, turn your attention toward helping that person feel they made a useful decision by coming. Related episodes: Episode 75: More on networking with the people you already know. Episodes 99 and 100: The tourist mindset and approaching unfamiliar networking rooms. Want to feel more confident in your networking conversations? Book a discovery call with Faithann to talk about where you feel stuck and explore the support that could help you move forward. Book your Discovery Call Go and network, my friend. I’m rooting for you!

One hundred episodes! To celebrate, Faithann wraps up the two-part "Be a Tourist" series — a full-circle return to the very first episode of the podcast. The idea is simple: the next time networking nerves kick in, ask yourself, what would a tourist do? Nobody grades you on vacation, so you relax, get curious, and enjoy yourself. Bring that same energy into any networking room and everything changes. In this episode, three more vacation-inspired ways to walk in relaxed instead of nervous. In this episode, you'll learn Take the safe route with your opener. On a family road trip, you stick to safe roads. In a networking room, that means opening with a question everyone can answer: "How do you know the host?" or "How did you hear about this meeting?" (Bonus: "Is this your first meeting?") Nobody's put on the spot, and the conversation starts rolling.         2. Join conversations already in progress. Walking in alone? Don't hover — explore like a tourist. Let curiosity drive you: what great conversations       are waiting for me in this room? Look for open groups that will invite you in. (For the full deep dive, go back to Episode 81.)        3. Ask the question you'd love to be asked. This gem comes from Tim Roberts of the Power of One podcast: keep a favorite question ready —             "What are you most proud of?" "How did you start your business?" "Is it a family business?" — questions that let people tell their stories. They'll       almost always turn it back on you.      Bonus: do the vacation debrief. After a trip you ask, "What was your favorite part?" Do the same after a networking event: What did you like? Would you go back? Who's worth following up with? Send a quick text or email (remind them where you met!), and make the coffee ask easy — 20 minutes before or 30 minutes after the next meeting, not a whole separate slot on their calendar. Quotable moment "The tourist mindset is not, 'Will these people like me?' The tourist mindset is, 'What do I think of these people? What do I think of this venue? What do I think of this meeting and how it's being run?'" Resources mentioned Episode 99: "Nervous About Networking? Be a Tourist, Part 1: 3 Ways to Feel More Comfortable" — the first three ways Episode 81: How to Walk into a Networking Event Alone and Start Meaningful Conversations with Confidence Tim Roberts, host of the Power of One podcast (all about BNI success) Ready to network with more confidence? Book a quick discovery call to see if there is a way Faithann might support you in your networking. Your turn to reflect Next time the nerves show up, pause and ask: what would a tourist do? — then try one of these three moves and notice what shifts.

Does walking into a room full of business owners you don’t know make you nervous? Before you worry about perfecting your elevator pitch or generating referrals, start with feeling comfortable in the room. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares how a family vacation to South Dakota reminded her of a simple approach to networking: be a tourist. Instead of wondering, “What do these people think of me?” try asking, “What do I think of this room?” That shift can help you approach networking events with more curiosity and less pressure. In this episode, you’ll learn: Bring a friend: Who you can invite and how highlighting their strengths gives you an easy way to start conversations. Gather information before you go: How checking parking, travel time, meeting format, and what visitors can expect helps you arrive more comfortably. Find the fun: How to look for welcoming people, interesting details, and enjoyable moments that give you a reason to return. Plus a bonus tip: Why saying “I’m a little nervous” can help you settle into a conversation. You’ll also hear how to ask the event host for introductions when you arrive alone. Try this at your next networking event: Give yourself permission to explore. Meet a few people, learn about the room, and notice what you enjoy. You don’t have to talk to everyone. Want support choosing networking groups? Whether you have a few meetings in mind or don’t know where to start, book a discovery call with Faithann to explore whether working together would help you choose rooms that fit your industry and business goals. Book your discovery call here. Know someone who feels nervous about networking? Share this episode with them.

Have you ever watched someone refer a potential client to another business and wondered why they didn’t think of you? It can sting, especially when you’ve sent opportunities their way. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares how to respond with curiosity and use the experience to strengthen your referral relationships. You’ll learn: Why a mention or social media tag may not have become a referral How to follow up and find out what happened with a connection you made A question you can ask a trusted contact: “What could I do to earn your next referral?” How clearer referral asks and consistent follow-up can help people feel confident recommending you Every referral carries a little of the giver’s reputation. When one goes elsewhere, take a moment to learn what you can, then keep building relationships with people who know whom you help and trust you to follow through. Want help making your ideal referral easier to recognize? Book a discovery call with Faithann to talk about your networking pitch and whether a Pitch Strategy Session is a fit for your business. Book your discovery call here.

What should you do when someone sends you a referral that simply isn’t a good fit? Turning down the opportunity may be necessary, but how you handle the person who referred them can either strengthen or weaken an important relationship. In this episode, Faithann shares how to respond to a bad referral with gratitude, clarity, and care. You’ll learn why it’s your responsibility to teach your network what does and does not make a good referral, how to explain that you couldn’t help without overexplaining, and how to guide the referral partner towards better-fit opportunities in the future. You’ll learn: How to prevent bad referrals by educating your network Why you should follow up quickly with every referral What to say to the person who sent the referral How to make gratitude the hero of the conversation A simple phrase that explains why you couldn’t help How to remind your network what a great referral looks like A bad referral doesn’t have to damage a valuable relationship. Handled well, it can become an opportunity to build trust and help someone refer you more confidently next time. Would this episode help someone in your network navigate a bad referral? Share it with them so you can both become the current of the lazy river that draws and keeps the right people close. Want to receive better-fit referrals from your network? Schedule a Discovery Call to explore how The Networker’s Tour Guide can support you.

Are you making it easy for the people in your networking group to recognize and connect you with the right referrals? In this episode of Business Networking and Referrals, Faithann coaches Denise Maples, owner of Backbone Operations, through creating a clearer and more effective networking pitch. Together, they turn a broad request for “any business owner who needs a virtual assistant” into a specific picture of the client Denise can help, the problem that person may be experiencing and the words a referral partner can use to introduce her naturally. You’ll learn: Why a short testimonial can build credibility and help people picture your ideal referral How to focus on the result you provide instead of listing everything you do Why specific referral requests are more effective than casting a wide net How to identify what your ideal client may be doing, feeling or saying What question your networking partners can ask to bring you into the conversation naturally Why permission-based introductions create warmer referrals When you paint a clear picture, your network can recognize more opportunities for you. Start narrow, and the people listening can broaden the possibilities from there. Connect with Denise Maples and Backbone Operations: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisemaples Website: https://backboneops.net Schedule a Discovery Call with Denise: https://schedule.backboneops.net/discovery-call Ready to make it easier for your network to recognize and refer the right people to you? Book a Discovery Call with Faithann to talk about where your networking and referral strategy may need more clarity:  FAITHANN’S DISCOVERY CALL LINK

What do the organizers of networking groups wish you knew before you walked through the door? In this episode, Faithann shares honest advice from several successful networking organization leaders about what actually helps business owners build meaningful relationships and earn referrals. You’ll hear why the networking meeting itself is only the first step, why you do not need to speak to everyone in the room, and how a few genuine conversations can lead to stronger, more personal follow-up. You’ll also learn: Why one-to-one conversations are not sales appointments How to choose two or three meaningful connections instead of collecting a stack of business cards Why your 30- or 60-second introduction needs to be clear and specific How self-doubt can keep you from recognizing opportunities Why networking communities provide more than referrals How becoming a resource makes introductions feel natural What could happen when you invest intentionally in your relationships for the next eight months The business owners who organize networking events want you to succeed. Their advice makes one thing clear: showing up matters, but what you do after the meeting is where relationships, referrals, and opportunities begin to grow. Ready to become a stronger resource for the people in your network? Schedule a discovery call with Faithann to explore whether a coaching session could help you use your networking time more intentionally and get more people talking about your business. Book your discovery call here. Featured networking leaders: Sybil Hale, Mix & Mingle Business Networking Danielle Throckmorton, Reach Retreats, Coffee & Connection, and Believers in Business Cori, OKC Women in Business Pam, Wine, Women & Wealth

Are you showing people that you are a valuable resource, even when they are not ready or able to hire you? The business owners who build strong networks and earn referrals understand that resourcefulness should not be reserved only for paying clients. When you help people, share what you know, and create opportunities for others, you give them meaningful reasons to remember you and mention your name in rooms you are not in. In this solo episode, Faithann shares two important areas to audit when your network is not growing. You will learn how small etiquette mistakes may be quietly turning people away and how becoming a resource can help you build trust, strengthen relationships, and create more referral opportunities. Faithann discusses: How networking etiquette affects people’s willingness to build a relationship with you Who should offer an alternate date when a meeting must be rescheduled Why you should tell someone when another person will be joining your meeting How to become a trusted source of business recommendations The relationships to build with professionals who serve your clients before or after you Why hosting meetups, webinars, or educational events can grow your network How volunteering and serving on nonprofit boards build trust Ways to share your expertise without giving away too much How your own professional development can become a resource for others Why people who may never hire you can still become valuable cheerleaders for your business You will also leave with a practical networking exercise: identify five types of professionals you wish your clients knew before working with you and five they may need afterward. Then begin building the relationships that allow you to confidently make those introductions. When you become someone who consistently helps people move forward, you become someone they remember, trust, and recommend. Mentioned in This Episode Episode 10: How to Invite Someone to a Networking Event Like a Pro Episode 15: Think of Everything Episode 48: TACT: The First Floor of Networking Success T5 Meetup Fri Sep 25th from 9-11a: RSVP (OKC business owners) Join the Curiosity Workshop Learn how to talk about your business naturally in networking meetings, volunteer settings, community events, and everyday conversations. The Curiosity Workshop includes four weeks of instruction followed by in-person and virtual conversation practice. You can join from anywhere. The first class begins Friday, September 4. Registration is $125 and closes on Tuesday Aug. 1st. Register for the Curiosity Workshop here.

What should you say during your 60-second networking pitch so people know exactly who to refer to you? In this coaching episode, Faithann works with Dirk Neitzel, founder of ThinkBiz Referral Clubs, to build a networking pitch that does more than describe his organization. Together, they create language that helps people recognize an ideal referral, introduce ThinkBiz without criticizing other networking options, and confidently take the next step. Dirk also shares how ThinkBiz grew from one referral club to eight across the Oklahoma City metro and why in-person networking remains so powerful in an increasingly digital world. You’ll learn: • How to make one business the “star” of your networking pitch when you own multiple businesses • Why a short, specific testimonial builds credibility quickly • How to describe your ideal referral without asking for “anyone” • The difference between networking acquaintances and true referral partners • How to give people a curiosity-building question they can use to introduce your business • Why every 60-second pitch needs a clear next step • How staying after a networking meeting can lead to conversations and one-to-one appointments • Why ThinkBiz aims to give visitors value, and even referrals, from their first visit Dirk’s ideal referral is not simply a business owner who wants more referrals. It is someone who wants a core group of referral partners they can get to know, support, and confidently refer to others. Whether you are writing your first elevator pitch, refining your weekly networking presentation, or trying to generate more business referrals, this episode will help you give your networking partners language they can actually remember and use. Learn more about ThinkBiz Referral Clubs, including club locations, meeting times, current members, and available industry seats: https://thinkbiz.solutions Need help creating a 60-second networking pitch that makes your ideal referral easier to recognize? Schedule a discovery call here: Discovery Call with Faithann  Would you rather create your referral-driving pitch in a supportive group setting? Join the Creating Credibility Workshop to develop a 60-second networking pitch that clearly communicates who you help, makes your ideal referrals easier to recognize, and gives your networking partners language they can confidently use to introduce you. Learn more and register: Creating Credibility Workshop

Networking can bring referrals, relationships, opportunities, and clients into your business. It can also bring no-shows, bad referrals, awkward mistakes, criticism, and a whole lot of “no.” In this episode of Business Networking and Referrals, we’re talking about the emotional resilience required to stay in the networking game for the long haul. Because some things are simply inevitable. You’ll probably get stood up for a one-to-one. You may double-book yourself and have to apologize. Eventually, someone may send you a referral that’s a terrible fit. Someone may misunderstand you or even speak poorly about you. And when you keep putting yourself and your business out there, you’re going to hear no. But guess what? There’s another side to what’s inevitable. You’ll be mentioned in rooms you aren’t in. You could be one introduction away from one of the best clients you’ve ever had. You’ll receive messages from people telling you that your work made a difference. People will trust you enough to share what’s really going on. And along with all those no’s, you’re going to get some pretty incredible yeses. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why expecting some networking disappointments can make them easier to handle When to give someone who stands you up a second chance The right way to handle it when you’re the one who has to reschedule How to respond when someone sends you a bad referral What to remember when you hear that someone has spoken poorly about you Why you don’t have to take sides when two networking relationships collide How to keep issuing invitations without becoming attached to the answer Why learning to forgive yourself is part of becoming a more resilient networker Networking means building relationships with humans, and humans are sometimes messy. The goal isn’t to network perfectly. It’s to keep moving your conversations, your relationships, and yourself forward. Ready to create more curiosity in your networking conversations? The Creating Curiosity Workshop begins September 4th. You’ll learn how to answer the questions you already get asked in networking conversations in ways that help people lean in, ask more, and become genuinely curious about what you do. The workshop includes four virtual trainings, an in-person practice session for those in the Oklahoma City area, and a virtual practice session the following week, so you can participate from anywhere. Join the Creating Curiosity Workshop Go and network, my friends. Keep moving forward. Keep moving your conversations forward. Keep moving your relationships forward. And practice forgiving yourself.

Have you ever been asked a question at a networking event and suddenly felt like you had to prove you belonged in the room? For newer business owners, introverts, or anyone who struggles with imposter syndrome, even common networking questions like “What sets you apart?” or “How long have you been in business?” can feel more like a quiz than the beginning of a conversation. In this episode of Business Networking and Referrals, Faithann shares a different way to approach those moments. Instead of searching for the technically perfect answer, you'll learn how to make the star of your answer something you feel comfortable and proud to say. Faithann shares two common networking questions that can trigger imposter syndrome and shows you how to answer them in a way that creates a better conversation. You'll learn: Why “What sets you apart?” can be especially difficult for newer business owners How to answer by talking about what you love about working with your clients How client feedback can help you talk confidently about the results you create The “fast forward button” approach to describing what your clients gain from working with you A better way to answer “How long have you been in business?” without making the number of months or years the star How experienced networkers can ask better questions that make conversations easier for everyone Why you can walk into a networking room as a tourist instead of feeling like you're the one being judged You don't have to tap dance your way through every networking conversation with the perfect answer. You get to decide what the star of your answer will be. Ready to feel more comfortable in networking conversations? The next Creating Curiosity Workshop begins Friday, September 4. During four weeks of virtual training plus a practice session, you'll learn how to become a better listener, give stronger answers to common networking questions, and create curiosity about your business without slipping into auto-reply. Investment: $125 Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens, receive a bonus resource, and get access to the pre-workshop welcome call. Creating Curiosity Waitlist Connect with Faithann: Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide Join Premium OKC Networking for $95 for a 1 year access to Faithann's networking calendar, community forum, and networking courses. Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

What if the biggest reason your podcast isn't growing has nothing to do with your content? In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore sits down with podcast growth expert Adam Schaeuble, founder of Podcasting Business School, to uncover one of the most overlooked strategies in podcasting: making your show searchable. Adam shares how a simple name change transformed his own podcast from struggling for downloads to becoming one of the most recognized podcasting shows in his niche. You'll also hear the story behind why Faithann renamed her own podcast—and the results that followed. Whether you're just launching a podcast or looking to grow an existing one, this conversation is packed with practical, easy-to-implement strategies that can help more of the right listeners find your show. In this episode you'll learn: Why your podcast title is your most important SEO tool How the first word of your podcast name affects discoverability Why branding can sometimes hurt podcast growth The simple process for rebranding a podcast without confusing listeners How Adam grew from virtually no income to replacing his full-time business through podcasting Why newsletters often outperform traditional lead magnets A simple content strategy that turns old podcast episodes into weekly newsletters Why consistent, valuable content builds trust faster than constant promotion How networking led Faithann to one of the most influential mentors in her podcasting journey The mindset shift that helps podcasters finally see themselves as real content creators Memorable Quote "We can't have business-level goals with hobby-level effort." -Adam Schaeuble Connect with Adam: Podcasting Business School with Adam Schaeuble Episode 608 of Podcasting Business School (Podcast SEO) Skool Community  Connect with Faithann Join her free Facebook Community here. Join Premium OKC Networking for deeper networking connections and the vetted places to network in OKC. Grab Free Resources for Easier Networking at Faithann's website here.

Elevator Pitch Coaching: Stop Asking for "Anyone Buying or Selling" Episode 89 | Business Networking & Referrals Podcast How do you make your elevator pitch memorable when you're in an industry where everyone says the same thing? In this live coaching episode, Faithann Basore works with REALTOR® Michelle Spurlock of Spearhead Realty to transform a broad referral request into a clear picture of the exact client she's looking for. Instead of asking for "anyone buying or selling," Michelle discovers how to help her networking partners recognize the conversations that happen long before someone ever asks for a Realtor. You'll also hear the answer Michelle developed to one of the hardest networking questions: "What makes you different?" Whether you're in real estate or any service-based business, this coaching session will help you become easier to remember, easier to refer, and more confident in the way you talk about your business. In This Episode You'll Learn: ⭐ Why "anyone buying or selling" is one of the weakest referral asks. ⭐ How to build an elevator pitch around one star instead of a star-studded list of services. ⭐ Why your networking partners need to know what people are already saying before they realize they need you. ⭐ How to teach people to listen for referral opportunities instead of waiting for someone to ask for a recommendation. ⭐ A practical strategy for answering the question: "What makes you different?" ⭐ How setting healthy boundaries can actually make clients trust you more. ⭐ Why life changes often create better referral opportunities than asking who needs your service today. ⭐ A simple conversation strategy that naturally leads people toward talking about buying or selling a home. Connect with Michelle Spurlock 📧 mDiscovery Call to explore how a customized Pitch Strategy Session can help you confidently describe what you do, attract better referrals, and make your conversations more memorable. Connect with Faithann Basore 🌐 The Networker's Tour Guide 💬 Premium OKC Networking, Faithann's online community