Business Networking & Referrals with Faithann Basore

Faithann
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Learn how to network with confidence, build real business relationships, and generate more referrals—even when networking doesn't come naturally. Business networking doesn't have to feel awkward, intimidating, or salesy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, salesperson, business owner, or professional who wants to build stronger relationships and generate more referrals, this podcast gives you practical networking strategies you can use the very next time you walk into a room. Hosted by Faithann Basore, Business Networking & Referrals breaks down the invisible parts of networking that most people never teach—from creating better conversations and asking memorable questions to improving your elevator pitch, building credibility, following up naturally, reading buying signals, and turning introductions into lasting business relationships. When networking makes you nervous, you're not alone. Many episodes are designed specifically to help you feel more confident in networking rooms by giving you simple frameworks, conversation starters, and mindset shifts that make connecting with people feel more natural. You'll learn how to enter conversations with confidence, overcome networking anxiety, and become someone people genuinely enjoy talking with. You'll also hear live coaching sessions, real networking examples, referral strategies, communication tips, and interviews with successful professionals who share what's actually working to grow their businesses through relationships. Whether you're attending your first networking event or you've been networking for years, you'll discover how to: Build authentic business relationships Create conversations that lead to referrals Deliver an elevator pitch people remember Improve your follow-up without sounding pushy Build trust and credibility faster Become more confident in networking rooms Generate more referrals through genuine connection When your goal is to stop collecting business cards and start building meaningful business relationships that create real opportunities, you're in the right place. Because great networking isn't about talking more. It's about creating opportunities for others that they would not have except for you, so you have standing to ask for opportunities when you need them.

  1. 1d ago

    99: Nervous About Networking? 3 Ways to Feel More Comfortable at Your Next Event

    Does walking into a room full of business owners you don’t know make you nervous? Before you worry about perfecting your elevator pitch or generating referrals, start with feeling comfortable in the room. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares how a family vacation to South Dakota reminded her of a simple approach to networking: be a tourist. Instead of wondering, “What do these people think of me?” try asking, “What do I think of this room?” That shift can help you approach networking events with more curiosity and less pressure. In this episode, you’ll learn: Bring a friend: Who you can invite and how highlighting their strengths gives you an easy way to start conversations. Gather information before you go: How checking parking, travel time, meeting format, and what visitors can expect helps you arrive more comfortably. Find the fun: How to look for welcoming people, interesting details, and enjoyable moments that give you a reason to return. Plus a bonus tip: Why saying “I’m a little nervous” can help you settle into a conversation. You’ll also hear how to ask the event host for introductions when you arrive alone. Try this at your next networking event: Give yourself permission to explore. Meet a few people, learn about the room, and notice what you enjoy. You don’t have to talk to everyone. Want support choosing networking groups? Whether you have a few meetings in mind or don’t know where to start, book a discovery call with Faithann to explore whether working together would help you choose rooms that fit your industry and business goals. Book your discovery call here. Know someone who feels nervous about networking? Share this episode with them.

  2. Sep 28

    98: When a Referral You Expected Goes to Someone Else

    Have you ever watched someone refer a potential client to another business and wondered why they didn’t think of you? It can sting, especially when you’ve sent opportunities their way. In this episode of Business Networking & Referrals, Faithann Basore shares how to respond with curiosity and use the experience to strengthen your referral relationships. You’ll learn: Why a mention or social media tag may not have become a referral How to follow up and find out what happened with a connection you made A question you can ask a trusted contact: “What could I do to earn your next referral?” How clearer referral asks and consistent follow-up can help people feel confident recommending you Every referral carries a little of the giver’s reputation. When one goes elsewhere, take a moment to learn what you can, then keep building relationships with people who know whom you help and trust you to follow through. Want help making your ideal referral easier to recognize? Book a discovery call with Faithann to talk about your networking pitch and whether a Pitch Strategy Session is a fit for your business. Book your discovery call here.

  3. Sep 21

    97: What to Do When You Receive a Bad Referral Without Damaging the Relationship

    What should you do when someone sends you a referral that simply isn’t a good fit? Turning down the opportunity may be necessary, but how you handle the person who referred them can either strengthen or weaken an important relationship. In this episode, Faithann shares how to respond to a bad referral with gratitude, clarity, and care. You’ll learn why it’s your responsibility to teach your network what does and does not make a good referral, how to explain that you couldn’t help without overexplaining, and how to guide the referral partner towards better-fit opportunities in the future. You’ll learn: How to prevent bad referrals by educating your network Why you should follow up quickly with every referral What to say to the person who sent the referral How to make gratitude the hero of the conversation A simple phrase that explains why you couldn’t help How to remind your network what a great referral looks like A bad referral doesn’t have to damage a valuable relationship. Handled well, it can become an opportunity to build trust and help someone refer you more confidently next time. Would this episode help someone in your network navigate a bad referral? Share it with them so you can both become the current of the lazy river that draws and keeps the right people close. Want to receive better-fit referrals from your network? Schedule a Discovery Call to explore how The Networker’s Tour Guide can support you.

  4. Sep 14

    96: How to Make Your Networking Pitch Memorable, Specific and Easy to Refer

    Are you making it easy for the people in your networking group to recognize and connect you with the right referrals? In this episode of Business Networking and Referrals, Faithann coaches Denise Maples, owner of Backbone Operations, through creating a clearer and more effective networking pitch. Together, they turn a broad request for “any business owner who needs a virtual assistant” into a specific picture of the client Denise can help, the problem that person may be experiencing and the words a referral partner can use to introduce her naturally. You’ll learn: Why a short testimonial can build credibility and help people picture your ideal referral How to focus on the result you provide instead of listing everything you do Why specific referral requests are more effective than casting a wide net How to identify what your ideal client may be doing, feeling or saying What question your networking partners can ask to bring you into the conversation naturally Why permission-based introductions create warmer referrals When you paint a clear picture, your network can recognize more opportunities for you. Start narrow, and the people listening can broaden the possibilities from there. Connect with Denise Maples and Backbone Operations: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisemaples Website: https://backboneops.net Schedule a Discovery Call with Denise: https://schedule.backboneops.net/discovery-call Ready to make it easier for your network to recognize and refer the right people to you? Book a Discovery Call with Faithann to talk about where your networking and referral strategy may need more clarity:  FAITHANN’S DISCOVERY CALL LINK

  5. Sep 7

    95: What Networking Group Organizers Wish You Knew Before Your Next Event

    What do the organizers of networking groups wish you knew before you walked through the door? In this episode, Faithann shares honest advice from several successful networking organization leaders about what actually helps business owners build meaningful relationships and earn referrals. You’ll hear why the networking meeting itself is only the first step, why you do not need to speak to everyone in the room, and how a few genuine conversations can lead to stronger, more personal follow-up. You’ll also learn: Why one-to-one conversations are not sales appointments How to choose two or three meaningful connections instead of collecting a stack of business cards Why your 30- or 60-second introduction needs to be clear and specific How self-doubt can keep you from recognizing opportunities Why networking communities provide more than referrals How becoming a resource makes introductions feel natural What could happen when you invest intentionally in your relationships for the next eight months The business owners who organize networking events want you to succeed. Their advice makes one thing clear: showing up matters, but what you do after the meeting is where relationships, referrals, and opportunities begin to grow. Ready to become a stronger resource for the people in your network? Schedule a discovery call with Faithann to explore whether a coaching session could help you use your networking time more intentionally and get more people talking about your business. Book your discovery call here. Featured networking leaders: Sybil Hale, Mix & Mingle Business Networking Danielle Throckmorton, Reach Retreats, Coffee & Connection, and Believers in Business Cori, OKC Women in Business Pam, Wine, Women & Wealth

  6. Aug 31

    94: Struggling to Grow Your Network? 5 Tips to Become a Go-To Resource

    Are you showing people that you are a valuable resource, even when they are not ready or able to hire you? The business owners who build strong networks and earn referrals understand that resourcefulness should not be reserved only for paying clients. When you help people, share what you know, and create opportunities for others, you give them meaningful reasons to remember you and mention your name in rooms you are not in. In this solo episode, Faithann shares two important areas to audit when your network is not growing. You will learn how small etiquette mistakes may be quietly turning people away and how becoming a resource can help you build trust, strengthen relationships, and create more referral opportunities. Faithann discusses: How networking etiquette affects people’s willingness to build a relationship with you Who should offer an alternate date when a meeting must be rescheduled Why you should tell someone when another person will be joining your meeting How to become a trusted source of business recommendations The relationships to build with professionals who serve your clients before or after you Why hosting meetups, webinars, or educational events can grow your network How volunteering and serving on nonprofit boards build trust Ways to share your expertise without giving away too much How your own professional development can become a resource for others Why people who may never hire you can still become valuable cheerleaders for your business You will also leave with a practical networking exercise: identify five types of professionals you wish your clients knew before working with you and five they may need afterward. Then begin building the relationships that allow you to confidently make those introductions. When you become someone who consistently helps people move forward, you become someone they remember, trust, and recommend. Mentioned in This Episode Episode 10: How to Invite Someone to a Networking Event Like a Pro Episode 15: Think of Everything Episode 48: TACT: The First Floor of Networking Success T5 Meetup Fri Sep 25th from 9-11a: RSVP (OKC business owners) Join the Curiosity Workshop Learn how to talk about your business naturally in networking meetings, volunteer settings, community events, and everyday conversations. The Curiosity Workshop includes four weeks of instruction followed by in-person and virtual conversation practice. You can join from anywhere. The first class begins Friday, September 4. Registration is $125 and closes on Tuesday Aug. 1st. Register for the Curiosity Workshop here.

  7. Aug 24

    93: Why the Best Networking Groups Create Value from the First Visit with Dirk Neitzel

    What should you say during your 60-second networking pitch so people know exactly who to refer to you? In this coaching episode, Faithann works with Dirk Neitzel, founder of ThinkBiz Referral Clubs, to build a networking pitch that does more than describe his organization. Together, they create language that helps people recognize an ideal referral, introduce ThinkBiz without criticizing other networking options, and confidently take the next step. Dirk also shares how ThinkBiz grew from one referral club to eight across the Oklahoma City metro and why in-person networking remains so powerful in an increasingly digital world. You’ll learn: • How to make one business the “star” of your networking pitch when you own multiple businesses • Why a short, specific testimonial builds credibility quickly • How to describe your ideal referral without asking for “anyone” • The difference between networking acquaintances and true referral partners • How to give people a curiosity-building question they can use to introduce your business • Why every 60-second pitch needs a clear next step • How staying after a networking meeting can lead to conversations and one-to-one appointments • Why ThinkBiz aims to give visitors value, and even referrals, from their first visit Dirk’s ideal referral is not simply a business owner who wants more referrals. It is someone who wants a core group of referral partners they can get to know, support, and confidently refer to others. Whether you are writing your first elevator pitch, refining your weekly networking presentation, or trying to generate more business referrals, this episode will help you give your networking partners language they can actually remember and use. Learn more about ThinkBiz Referral Clubs, including club locations, meeting times, current members, and available industry seats: https://thinkbiz.solutions Need help creating a 60-second networking pitch that makes your ideal referral easier to recognize? Schedule a discovery call here: Discovery Call with Faithann  Would you rather create your referral-driving pitch in a supportive group setting? Join the Creating Credibility Workshop to develop a 60-second networking pitch that clearly communicates who you help, makes your ideal referrals easier to recognize, and gives your networking partners language they can confidently use to introduce you. Learn more and register: Creating Credibility Workshop

  8. Aug 17

    92: Why Successful Networkers Don't Quit When Networking Gets Discouraging

    Networking can bring referrals, relationships, opportunities, and clients into your business. It can also bring no-shows, bad referrals, awkward mistakes, criticism, and a whole lot of “no.” In this episode of Business Networking and Referrals, we’re talking about the emotional resilience required to stay in the networking game for the long haul. Because some things are simply inevitable. You’ll probably get stood up for a one-to-one. You may double-book yourself and have to apologize. Eventually, someone may send you a referral that’s a terrible fit. Someone may misunderstand you or even speak poorly about you. And when you keep putting yourself and your business out there, you’re going to hear no. But guess what? There’s another side to what’s inevitable. You’ll be mentioned in rooms you aren’t in. You could be one introduction away from one of the best clients you’ve ever had. You’ll receive messages from people telling you that your work made a difference. People will trust you enough to share what’s really going on. And along with all those no’s, you’re going to get some pretty incredible yeses. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why expecting some networking disappointments can make them easier to handle When to give someone who stands you up a second chance The right way to handle it when you’re the one who has to reschedule How to respond when someone sends you a bad referral What to remember when you hear that someone has spoken poorly about you Why you don’t have to take sides when two networking relationships collide How to keep issuing invitations without becoming attached to the answer Why learning to forgive yourself is part of becoming a more resilient networker Networking means building relationships with humans, and humans are sometimes messy. The goal isn’t to network perfectly. It’s to keep moving your conversations, your relationships, and yourself forward. Ready to create more curiosity in your networking conversations? The Creating Curiosity Workshop begins September 4th. You’ll learn how to answer the questions you already get asked in networking conversations in ways that help people lean in, ask more, and become genuinely curious about what you do. The workshop includes four virtual trainings, an in-person practice session for those in the Oklahoma City area, and a virtual practice session the following week, so you can participate from anywhere. Join the Creating Curiosity Workshop Go and network, my friends. Keep moving forward. Keep moving your conversations forward. Keep moving your relationships forward. And practice forgiving yourself.

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Learn how to network with confidence, build real business relationships, and generate more referrals—even when networking doesn't come naturally. Business networking doesn't have to feel awkward, intimidating, or salesy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, salesperson, business owner, or professional who wants to build stronger relationships and generate more referrals, this podcast gives you practical networking strategies you can use the very next time you walk into a room. Hosted by Faithann Basore, Business Networking & Referrals breaks down the invisible parts of networking that most people never teach—from creating better conversations and asking memorable questions to improving your elevator pitch, building credibility, following up naturally, reading buying signals, and turning introductions into lasting business relationships. When networking makes you nervous, you're not alone. Many episodes are designed specifically to help you feel more confident in networking rooms by giving you simple frameworks, conversation starters, and mindset shifts that make connecting with people feel more natural. You'll learn how to enter conversations with confidence, overcome networking anxiety, and become someone people genuinely enjoy talking with. You'll also hear live coaching sessions, real networking examples, referral strategies, communication tips, and interviews with successful professionals who share what's actually working to grow their businesses through relationships. Whether you're attending your first networking event or you've been networking for years, you'll discover how to: Build authentic business relationships Create conversations that lead to referrals Deliver an elevator pitch people remember Improve your follow-up without sounding pushy Build trust and credibility faster Become more confident in networking rooms Generate more referrals through genuine connection When your goal is to stop collecting business cards and start building meaningful business relationships that create real opportunities, you're in the right place. Because great networking isn't about talking more. It's about creating opportunities for others that they would not have except for you, so you have standing to ask for opportunities when you need them.

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