Make Relationships Your No. 1 Priority This Year

Make Relationships Your No. 1 Priority This Year

Imagine this…early in my business journey, I struggled to find the right clients. I was doing all the usual things, networking events, cold calls, Print marketing (back then there was no online) but it felt like pushing a boulder uphill. Then, I met someone who changed everything.

In short, they had access to the exact market I was chasing and introduced me to my first few key clients. But it didn’t stop there. I made sure to reciprocate, connecting them to people in my network who needed their expertise. That relationship flourished, and within months, my business grew faster than I’d ever experienced. It wasn’t magic. It was referral marketing done right.

As we kick off 2025, it’s tempting to focus on the usual goals, (financial targets, new customers, product launches). But what if I told you the most impactful thing you could do is build strong strategic relationships? Prioritising relationships, especially those that lead to referral partnerships, can be the change your business needs.

Referral marketing isn’t about hoping someone mentions your business. It’s a deliberate process of creating partnerships with people who can actively connect you to your ideal clients. Here’s how you can make it happen.

1. Find Someone Who Has Access to Your Target Market

The first step is identifying potential partners who already have access to the audience you want to reach. Think about it. If someone is already working with your target market, referring you becomes an easy, natural activity for them. For example, if you’re a financial planner, teaming up with an accountant could be a perfect fit because their clients are likely to need your services too.

When you align yourself with someone whose clients need your expertise, referrals become seamless. But remember, this relationship isn’t one-sided. It has to work both ways.

2. Find Referrals for Them

Here’s the Golden Rule of referral marketing: Reciprocate. If you want someone to refer business to you, you must be able to return the favour. This means understanding who your referral partner is looking to work with and actively connecting them to those opportunities.

Take the time to learn about their business, their goals, and the kind of clients they want to attract. When you focus on giving first, you’ll naturally create a partnership where they want to do the same for you. This mutual effort is the foundation of successful referral marketing.

Why Focus on Referral Marketing?

Strategic relationships can be more than quick wins. Unfortunately they mostly end up as short term relationships. Imagine the difference it would make if you spent this year building just a handful of deep, long term referral partnerships that generate consistent business. They could create a steady flow of qualified leads that trust you before they even meet you.

On the flip side, think about the cost of not growing this year. Without these relationships, you’re left chasing leads, spending more on marketing, and working harder for less.

At Asentiv, we specialise in helping business owners identify and nurture the key relationships that drive growth. Our programs are designed to guide you in finding the right people and creating a structure that makes referral marketing a natural part of your business.

This year, make relationships your No. 1 priority. The right partnerships won’t just help you grow. They’ll transform the way you do business.

Are you ready to take that step?