caerusnet

Author: Steve Zyskowski

  • The Gods of Opportunity Complete Audio Book Download

    Click on the image below for the

    complete audio book to download or

    listen to on this shared Google drive!

  • What does GOLFING and REFERRING have in COMMON?

    by Steven Zyskowski

    On Friday, September 22nd, Caerusnet Members from teams across SE Michigan gathered at The Links of Whitmore Lake for a fun filled day of golf!  And boy oh boy was it a HOT day with temps in the mid-90’s!

    BIG thanks to this year’s new golf outing organizer and Caerusnet Dexter Member, Mary Frisinger (from Arbor One Mortgage Company) for putting the event together!  We also want to thank the HOLE SPONSORS of this event for making it great!  Also, “Team Wendy” featured host of energetic Member volunteers all with great spirit, helping make the 3nd annual Caerusnet Golf Outing a success.  Special thanks also to Dexter Members Shasta Grifka from Grifka Marketing and Marcy Smith from BS Designs for marketing and graphics support.  

    As I saw the golfers take off in their carts that gorgeous, sunny morning  I asked myself the simple question, “How is golfing alike to referring?”  These are the two best answers I came up with …

    You have to show up to play the game.  Just like golfing, you can’t win if you don’t show up to play at the regularly scheduled team meetings.  You can’t learn what works if you don’t practice.  Developing a referral mindset where your customers refer you more often and other area professionals start to learn to refer to you isn’t an easy game to master, but one well worth the effort.

    With 50% of all purchasing decisions being made at the recommendation of those we trust, it’s certainly worth it to always provide the best service to our referrals so future referrals keep rolling in (the other 50% of purchasing decisions come from advertising).  Caerusnet was created to help you stay connected to the movers and shakers in your community.  We look forward to next year’s golf outing and continuing to grow the Caerusnet footprint in Michigan and beyond.

    Stay connected,

    Signature SZ

    President/Founder, Caerusnet

     

  • Register HERE for Caerusnet 2017 Golf Outing!

    Note: If purchasing a sponsorship, please specify “hole” or “beverage” in the notes section.

  • Testimonials Are The Most Believable Form of Advertising

    Would you like to generate referrals for BOTH someone else and yourself?  Start giving testimonials!  It’s surprising how something so simple can have a positive impact on referrals.

    Definition of testimonial:  A statement testifying to benefits received.

    So, what are the benefits of a testimonial?

    • Rewards and recognizes others for providing good service.
    • Creates credibility , trust and value for an individual and/or their business.
    • Added visibility  for both the person giving and receiving.

    What goes into a great testimonial?

    • Make it thoughtful.
    • Be brief and to the point, using simple language.
    • Focus on true-to-life success stories.
    • Focus on positive outcomes (example: solved a problem, saved time and/or money, went above and beyond with expertise in their field and/or outstanding service given).
    • If you can, dollarize, or quantify the results.

     

  • Caerusnet 2017 Golf Outing – Open to registration and sponsors now!

    #knowliketrust #godsofopportunity #Caerusnet

  • GODS of Opportunity FREE E-book Download!

    CLICK HERE OR ON COVER ART FOR FREE DOWNLOAD of the The GODS of Opportunity by Caerusnet founder, Steven Zyskowski!

    Enjoy the adventure of upstart business coach Tom Johnson, as he starts the very first Facilitated referral passing team in the bustling community of Brightwell, MI.

    Learn from the new Facilitator and the Members of his team as they work together to develop a Referral Mindset and Master the Art of Referring.

    This story is a parable but is based on true to life stories from Michigan based Caerusnet.  It is a must read for anyone who is considering joining a referral networking group or facilitating one of their own.

    The Caerusnet Facilitated Referral Team System was developed in 2008 by social entrepreneur, Steven Zyskowski, expressing his desire to help small business professionals and passionate networkers form their own referral passing teams that are both fun and profitable.

     Caerusnet is a series of guiding principles and proven strategies for growing referral teams and helping the local business community strengthen by referral.  The Facilitator and the Members are partners in the success of their referral team.

    Special thanks to Caerusnet Member, Dan Harris, www.dangharrisdesign.com, for the cover artwork!

  • Good Communication Turns The Key To Referrals

    by Steven Zyskowski

    Those who have developed a “by referral only” practice know how important it is to constantly communicate the right messages to their referral partners.  They have tactics and processes they use to track and thank those in their referral universe for the gift of new business opportunities.  Give these concepts some thought and consider bringing these fool proof methods into your business …

     

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    • Understand and communicate what’s in it for the referral source. Unless your referral sources live for the joy of simply connecting people together, it is imperative you have a value proposition that has meaning.  Why should they refer you?  What will they get out of it?  How does it add to their business, life and relationship with you?  How will you reciprocate?  Many believe strongly in the go-giver (give to get) process, so step up to the plate armed with an individual value proposition and the quality of your referrals will soar!
    • Invest the time to create connections. Simply asking to use someone’s name is an option (and certainly can warm up an interaction with a prospect) – but having a true connection with the name makes it hot.  Your real goal is to make that connection real and personal.  You want the other person to introduce you.  This means taking the time to nurture someone new that you’ve met, or to reacquaint yourself with someone, or to include a current client in your referral plan.  Get to really know them and their needs.  Be willing to help them out.  Show them how to refer you by delivering a referral yourself to them just the way you would like get one, yourself.  Be patient, be  consistent, follow-up and don’t have your hand out too early.  Earn the right to ask for a referral by creating a true connection yourself.
    • Keep your referral sources up to speed. Once you get the referral, make sure you just don’t disappear with it.  Believe it or not, your referral sources do want to know what happened.  If they don’t … it was probably just a chilly or lukewarm referral at best.  The hot ones, the connected ones, will want to be kept up to speed.  People love to know if they have really been of help.  Respect their efforts by keeping them informed about what their assistance resulted in.  If they know you are making good use of their referrals, they’ll think of you again and again.
    • Thank them in a tangible way. Beyond a verbal thank-you, make sure they know how much you appreciate them by making your thanks tangible.  Return the favor with a reciprocal referral.  Write a hand-written note.  Send a small gift.  Take them to lunch or dinner.  Introduce them to someone you know they would like to meet.  Extend the “give-to-get” full circle to “give back.”  One good referral deserves another and another.  Be both a source and a recipient for a referral strategy that works.

  • Danielle Boote “Lends” Us Her Referral Success Story

    Danielle Boote has been in the mortgage industry for over 20 years.  During that time, she has encountered just about every type of mortgage lending situation imaginable.  This Ross Mortgage home lending specialist has successfully navigated her business over the past two decades through both hot and cold housing markets.  And if one thing is for certain, this Caerusnet Member (since August, 2010) knows all about the importance of consistently being the voice of her industry on her virtually always maxed out (30 Members), Brighton Wednesday 1PM Showcase Caerusnet team.

    Recently, Caerusnet had a chance to interview Danielle to gain some valuable networking insight from this veteran mortgage professional.

    How did you get into the mortgage field? “In 1989, I took a job as a back-up receptionist while working my way through college.   I started originating loans for a family Member that was a Realtor about 20 years ago and have never looked back.”

    What is the best thing about your business/career? “I love being able to assist families with the purchase or refinance of their home.  I love educating my clients about the mortgage process, so my borrowers are really well informed and making educated decisions about their finances.  Many of my clients have also become personal friends of mine and I have attended their weddings, graduations and watched their children grow.”

    What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? “I love not having to serve on a committee or having to personally manage the group like most Members of other structured referral teams have to. I have done that in the past and find that with a Caerusnet Facilitator running our team meetings, the Caerusnet model is a more effective use of my time in today’s world.  Even though I don’t lead the group, I am still able to contribute to the group in a positive manner by passing referrals and inviting visitors.”

    Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you. “One of my greatest Caerusnet success stories is of a single mother who was renting.  She came to me for mortgage loan pre-approval. She was a self-employed, independent contractor who also desperately needed help setting up her federal taxes properly.  So, I quickly referred her to our team’s CPA (Susan Walton, Accurate Tax) who is one of my most trusted accounting resources. Susan was able to get involved so my client did not have any IRS issues and I was able to use her tax returns to document her income properly and get her approved for an amazing home loan for her growing family. By purchasing a home, she was able to lower her housing expense compared to what she was paying for rent.  She’s also excited to now have a mortgage interest deduction as a home owner for the 2016 calendar year when she files her taxes.”

    Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? “Just keeping your eyes and ears open all the time.   It is not hard, if you pay attention to what is going on around you.   I love helping connect local businesses who need effective word of mouth marketing to our referral team.”
    What is your strategy with your Member Minute and your Spotlight presentation? “I focus on what I am working on that week. I can always think of a relevant client situation or a recent success story.   The Members appreciate timely information and I love being the voice of my industry.”

    You’ve been a Caerusnet Member for over six years.  Do you have any tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?  “Yes!   My top three are:  A) show up to meetings 80% of the time or more B) give as much as you can to the other team Members (and do not worry about what you are getting in return immediately, as the more you give the more you will receive in the long run) and C) Trust Builder Meetings are a fun and simple way to take advantage getting to know the other team Members better.

    Want to get in touch with Danielle Boote from Ross Mortgage?  Click here for Danielle’s listing on the Caerusnet Member Directory. *Pictured above from top to bottom is Danielle Boote (pics 1 and 2) and Danielle (pic 3) with Caerusnet Members from her 1PM Brighton Wednesday team at a year end Caerusnet Member Celebration party.

     

  • Caerusnet Members READY To Refer!

    by Steven Zyskowski, The Referral Guy

    At Caerusnet, we want to help our Members develop a referral mindset.  This will help Members develop more referrals coming from their existing customers as well as from the Members of their Caerusnet team(s).  So, what’s the most sure footed route to receiving good referrals?  By passing good referrals as Members and setting the bar high for others to follow.  Making good referrals to other Members will create the desire in the them to return the favor.

     

    Are YOU ready to make referrals happen?  Take a look at the images featured in this post.  You will see general contractor, Mike Hahn (https://hahncontracting.net) with his Caerusnet business card portfolio tucked into the side door of his work truck.  Mike keeps his portfolio with him at all times so when he spots a referral opportunity for a Member of his Wednesday 8AM Brighton Caerusnet team, Mike is ready to act by passing business cards.  He also keeps plenty of the Caerusnet Referral Passing Rack Cards close by so when he passes referrals, they are organized and thoughtful.

    Also pictured is State Farm  insurance agent, Melissa Schwartz in her office listening closely to a client claim over the telephone.  Melissa keeps her Caerusnet business card portfolio present and on display right in her office, so referring Members of her Howell Thursday 1PM team is top of mind … and her portfolio is always within reach.

    Developing a referral mindset is simply increasing awareness of opportunities and then being ready to act by helping people in ways they aren’t expecting (like making good referrals).  When Members decide to make the business card portfolio a well used tool for referral passing the odds at their success in referrals increases greatly in their favor.  So, it may be in your best interest to start developing a referral mindset like Mike Hahn. Melissa Schwartz and hundreds of other Caerusnet Members in Michigan.

  • 9 Ways To Find Visitors For Your Caerusnet Team

    by Steven Zyskowski, Chief Referral Officer, Caerusnet

    What’s the one thing all Caerusnet Members and Facilitators have in common?  The fact that growing your referral team will mean a MORE PROFITABLE referral team for everyone involved!

    Not sure how to go about finding good quality businesses to invite for visit your team?  Here are nine ideas:

    MOST OVERLOOKED WAYS TO FIND VISITORS!

    1. Scroll through your contacts. Who is already in your contact pool that you have overlooked telling about your referral team?  This is a perfect reason to get reconnected to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
    2. Who do you and/or your company use for services? It may be that a person you are already familiar with would appreciate knowing about Caerusnet.  Tell them!
    3. What other organizations do you belong to? Have you told key people in those organizations about your referral team?
    4. Do you go to networking events put on by Meet-Up and/or the Chamber of Commerce? Be on high alert when attending these events and be looking to add to your personal referral matrix with quality professionals.
    5. If you are retail customer somewhere that gives a you great experience, inquire with the person who serviced ou about how they could grow their business in your referral team.
    6. Take pictures of your Caerusnet meeting, “check-in” and post on your Facebook and LINKED-IN about how much you enjoy your Caerusnet team meetings and what professions you are seeking.  Sometimes a contact is watching your posts and inquires with you about the posts you make about your referral team.
    7. Collect business cards and send a fast email introducing yourself (including a link to the caerusnet.com website). Share the emails (cc) you send with your Facilitator so they can help stay on top of it.
    8. Be ready to make conversations with those you might meet during your daily travels at the coffee shop and gas station … keep an eye out for professionals in uniforms or wrapped vehicles. Sometimes, casual conversations lead to interest in visiting.
    9. Looking for a certain profession (CPA, landscaping, etc.)? Ask other  professionals you trust and/or your customers who they recommend and collect the contact information to follow up with personally.

    Stay connected,