Master Conference Networking

From Networking Fears to Referral Wins: Lessons from Business Connectors

Catherine Brown — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0500

What if one introduction could change everything for your business? On the second part of this series, discover how authentic connections and strategic referrals can open doors, spark new partnerships, and create lasting impact. Listen as entrepreneurs and consultants share their most powerful referral stories, the lessons they’ve learned, and actionable strategies you can use to build your own network of trusted partners. Be sure to listen to the end as I share some one of my most powerful secrets for a network that drives referrals.

Highlights

Real-world stories of referrals that led to major business wins
Overcoming networking fears and building confidence
Turning chance encounters into long-term partnerships
The importance of ethics and trust in business relationships
Practical tips for following up and closing the loop on referrals
Four essential principles for successful referral relationships
How to cultivate a referral partner pipeline for sustainable growth

Chapters

1:10 – Melissa Graham: Building Trust Through Ethical Business Practices

2:36 – Angie Wright: Overcoming Networking Fears with Catherine's Help

3:54 – Francesca Kenney: From Clubhouse Connection to Business Partnership

6:59 – Niki Hankins: The Power of Strategic Tax Referrals

8:22 – Shanté Smith-Daniels: Building Trust Through Serial Referrals

9:13 – Matt Wolfe: Finding Success in Niche Markets

10:25 – Jeremiah Shaw: Building a $60K Contract Through Network Connections

12:21 – Best Practices for Referral Follow-up

14:03 – Four Key Principles of Successful Referral Relationships

15:09 – Building Your Referral Partner Pipeline

Learn more about our guests:

Melissa Graham with Material Management Resources, Inc.

Angie Wright with Kenkar Services

Francesca Kenney with Green Orchid Consulting

Niki Hankins with No Dumb Blonde Accounting

Shanté Smith-Daniels with SSD Consulting

Matt Wolfe with Brand3

Jeremiah Shaw with Grovity Leadership

Resources Mentioned

Texas Coaches Coalition

Elev8ors networking group

Unlock the secrets to building a referral network that works for you—one relationship at a time.

Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!

The Power of Qualified Referrals: Real Stories and Key Insights

Catherine Brown — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Ever wondered how powerful referrals can truly impact your business? Hear firsthand from members of the Good Humans Growth Network community, including Alyssa McGinn, Sasha Crabtrey, Sarah Sears, Julia Rock, Meg Rentschler, Lynn Tickner, and Justin McCullough, as they share their most impactful referral stories and how these connections have fueled their success. Catherine Brown also breaks down the crucial distinction between referrals and introductions, and why understanding this difference can dramatically increase your closing rate. Tune in for inspiring stories and invaluable networking insights!

01:11 Alyssa McGinn's Referral Story

02:07 Sasha Crabtrey on Giving Referrals

03:42 Sarah Sears' Transformational Referral

05:04 Julia Rock's Long-Term Referral Impact

06:00 Meg Rentschler’s Grateful Referral

07:12 Lynn Tickner's Local Networking Success

11:24 Justin McCullough's Referral Chain

14:45 Referrals vs. Introductions: Key Differences

18:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

Learn more about our guests:

Alyssa McGinn with InfoFluency

Sasha Crabtrey with Remote COO

Sarah Sears with S Design Inc.

Julia Rock with Rock Career

Meg Rentschler with STaR Coach Show

Lynn Tickner with Ink and Key

Justin McCollough with RocketLeap

Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!

Becoming Visible Through Personal Branding with Lisa McGuire

Catherine Brown — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0500

What does your personal brand tell the people around you? Discover how aligning your personal brand with your presence can make you unforgettable at conferences and networking events. Lisa McGuire, a specialist in helping purpose-driven professionals navigate visibility in high-stakes settings, shares how authenticity can be a powerful networking strategy. Learn about the multi-faceted definition of personal branding, why it's often misunderstood, and practical tips on presenting yourself effectively. Explore the concept of visibility reluctance and how to overcome it, ensuring that your digital presence aligns with your in-person interactions. Tune in for valuable insights on showing up with confidence and making lasting impressions.

00:00 Introduction to Lisa McGuire

02:09 Defining Personal Branding

02:48 Components of Personal Branding

04:15 Character and Networking

06:31 Practical Networking Tips

15:30 Visibility Reluctance

21:20 Pre-Conference Activities and Their Importance

22:21 The Power of Personal Branding

22:47 Energy and Presence in Networking

26:13 Aligning Digital Presence with In-Person Interactions

28:47 Consistency and Focus in Digital Channels

30:18 Reinventing Yourself Authentically

32:34 Practical Tips for Personal Growth

38:12 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Resources:

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn!

Learn how you can work with Lisa.

Listen to Your Passion, Purpose and Personal Brand

Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!

Conference Follow-up and Relationship Building with Brooke Greening

Catherine Brown — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0500

What happens after you leave your conference or networking event? Do you ensure those connections you made can grow and stay strong? Join us as Catherine and Brooke Greening dive into proven strategies to maximize your networking at conferences, trade associations, and chamber events. Discover the secrets behind setting beneficial appointments on the spot, maintaining post-event momentum, and effectively following up to build lasting business relationships. Learn how to prepare, interact with intent, and use tools such as LinkedIn and CRM systems to ensure your connections turn into valuable opportunities. Brooke also shares tips on leveraging resources, the importance of clarity in communication, and the power of genuine follow-up. Get ready to elevate your conference game!

00:00 Introduction to Brooke Greening

01:35 Maximizing Conference Experiences

02:49 Effective Networking Strategies

03:08 Capturing and Organizing Notes

04:23 Intentional Follow-Up Techniques

06:21 Building Relationships Post-Event

07:36 Utilizing CRM and Tools

10:08 Setting Up Future Meetings

13:34 Handling Objections and Assumptions

24:58 Creating a Follow-Up Sequence

25:24 Post-Conference Follow-Up Strategies

26:36 Daily Sales Habits

27:48 Blocking Time for Networking

30:00 Building Trust in Business Relationships

31:29 Best Practices for Maximizing Conferences

31:50 Preparing Your Online Presence

32:32 Crafting Your Business Pitch

34:27 Researching and Engaging with Key Contacts

41:28 Leveraging Conference Resources

43:42 Long-Term Networking and Sales Strategies

Resources:

Connect with Brooke on LinkedIn!

Learn more about Building Momentum

Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!

Trade Show Success with Michel Privé

Catherine Brown — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Are you maximizing your potential while at conferences and trade shows? Learn from Michel Privé, founder of Sales Leadership Impact Consulting, as he shares invaluable insights on how to turn these events into goldmines for your business. Michel, who has years of experience attending international conferences, emphasizes the importance of preparation, strategic planning, and the mindset of serving rather than selling. Discover how to make lasting connections, build valuable relationships, and ensure you leave every event feeling accomplished. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned pro, this conversation will provide you with actionable tips to elevate your trade show strategy and leave a memorable impact.

00:00 Introduction to Michel Prive

01:12 Michel's Background and Experience

02:02 Trade Show Strategies and Planning

04:44 The Importance of Serving, Not Selling

06:52 Building Long-Term Relationships

08:46 Success Stories and Real-Life Examples

11:20 The Role of Preparation and Strategy

22:00 Energy Management at Conferences

23:36 The Five-Day Rule for Optimal Performance

27:11 Conclusion and Future Opportunities

Resources:

Learn more about the National Business Development Association

Learn about DealFlow Exchange

Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!

Be Prepared for Conference Conversations with Kelly Sjol

Catherine Brown — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:29:26 -0500

Are you making the most out of your conference experiences? Meet Kelly Sjol, a fractional CMO for B2B tech founders, who shares valuable insights on how to maximize the impact of attending industry events. Kelly discusses the importance of strategic networking, creating compelling value propositions for both referral partners and potential clients, and preparing effectively for conferences. She also emphasizes the need to make it 'stupid easy' for referral partners to recommend you and offers practical tips on how to engage others meaningfully at events. Tune in for actionable strategies to elevate your business development efforts and improve your networking skills.

01:04 Understanding Kelly's Role and Event Preferences

02:33 Importance of Industry Events and Networking

04:58 Preparation for Different Types of Events

05:25 Crafting Value Propositions for Referral Partners

07:30 Making Referrals Easy and Effective

11:02 Conference Preparation Tips

16:23 Effective Networking Questions

19:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

Connect with Kelly Sjol on LinkedIn

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Connect with the Good Humans Growth Network and learn more about our next event!