Building a Referral Network in New York: Event Marketing Tips

Imagine waking up in the morning to a flood of emails and text messages from potential clients inquiring about your event planning services. Imagine you’re drinking an Americano from Bird & Branch and you’re attracted to new customers on your phone. This may seem like a far-fetched dream now, but as you build a workhorse of a referral network, it could become a reality for you. In this article, we’ll show you how an event planner can build a referral network in New York to get clients coming to your door.

Join a business association

New York City is filled with business associations you can join Expand your referral network. Other business owners in these associations are also working to grow their companies. Joining their ranks will put you into a support network where members support each other in many ways, not least by sending referrals.

Organize meetups with other event professionals

Position yourself as a trusted leader as you grow your referral network professionals By organizing get-togethers. Of course, you can invite everyone to gather at your local bar. But as a New York City event professional, why not show it off and give them a taste of what you do?

Your memorable experiences will be doubled when you provide your colleagues with memorable experiences while helping them expand their own networks.

Work with supplemental activity providers

Work with event photographers, talent agencies, and other event professionals. Establish friendly partnerships and invite each other to collaborate on activities. This makes even more sense when you find an event professional who resonates with you, and you both know that creativity soars when you work together.

Click on your current active client list

You already have a group of people who are amazed by what you do; don’t let them forget about you. Stay connected with current and past customers through email marketing and social media. Ask for recommendations when creating content. Encourage customers who leave you positive reviews to recommend you to their friends and family. Consider offering a small but thoughtful reward for those referrals that lead to new campaign contracts.

Build good karma by referring customers to your network

what goes around comes around. When planning an event in Gotham, you’ll need all the good Juju you can get. So radiate positivity by referring clients to professionals in your network. Of course, all that altruistic behavior will lower your blood pressure and put you into a zen state. But it will also foster relationships based on mutual support and reciprocity. In other words, they will feel motivated to do the same for you.

Cultivate professional relationships

In the same spirit, Nurture your professional relationships. Make sure your referral network in New York City knows you consider them to be more than just a way to line your clients’ pockets. Schedule one-on-one lunches, take an interest in their personal lives, and frequent their businesses.

Send a thank you when a referral leads to a customer contract

Most importantly, show your referral network how much you appreciate them. Send a thank-you note, or better yet, a thank-you gift to the person who referred a client to you. Doing this shows that you appreciate their trust in you. Sending a sincere thank you shows that you understand their recommendation is a sacrifice (no matter how small) of their time and effort.

Be excellent

The way to build an overwhelming, rock-solid referral network is to simply Be a good event planner. Host great events, provide outstanding customer service, and give your clients and guests the best reason to remember you. Make it easy for them to send messages to your friends and family.

Build your referral network at Event Planners Expo New York

Event Planner Expo The perfect place to exponentially grow your referral network. There, thousands of event professionals and proactive leaders come together to discuss all things event planning. The 2024 Event Planner Expo may have just ended, but you can now get on the waitlist for great announcements and offers in 2025!