I spend a lot of time helping practitioners who are looking to bring in more 1:1 clients. A common question I get: How do I meet other practitioners who might send clients my way?
If this is on your mind, here's one small tip: Start by looking for what Anne of Green Gables would call your kindred spirits, rather than by looking for people based on their category (e.g. therapists, doctors, etc.).
Who else is doing work in your community that you find interesting? Which people are out there doing things you'd like to support?
Here are ideas for how to find people doing good work:
- Join a neighborhood or community listserv
- Look for Facebook, NextDoor, etc. communities specific to your community
- Check out bulletin boards at your library, coffee shop, etc.
- See if your town or city has an "upcoming events" listing
- Check the newspaper or local magazines for upcoming events and workshops
- Look for volunteer opportunities in your area
- See what's going on at your nearest co-working space or small business center
By "good work," I mean when you read or hear about something that's happening - a cause, an event, an idea - and think, "Oh, wow. That's really cool." That's it. It may or may not be directly related to the work that you do. Doesn't matter. Those are likely to be your people.
Find out where these folks are gathering and go to the events/spaces where they are. Participate. (That last part is key.)
While other practitioners are one potential group, you might also find kindred spirits among people vending at the farmer's market, as part of the local art/music scene, at a workshop on astronomy at the library, at a voter registration drive, etc.
Find your people, get to know them, support them, build relationships with others who are aligned with your vision for change or who just "get you," and your referral network will naturally grow. Every single person you meet may not be a kindred spirit, but some of them will be. Make an effort to connect with these folks again and build relationships.
This is easier (and way more likely to work) than cold messaging a bunch of people just because of the initials after their names.
Take care,
Camille
