#TLDR

- Local businesses in your city, such as doctor's offices, spas, and natural food stores are excellent places to find health coaching clients.

- Develop referral partnerships with these businesses by printing out business cards and mini flyers and starting a conversation with each business owner.

- Click here for a checklist of places in your community where you can establish referral partnerships and get local clients.

We all know that networking is an essential part of growing a business. While this can be done online to an extent, nothing replaces face-to-face connection.

In this checklist, we're going to tell you all the places your potential clients are going before they end up on your doorstep, and how to start relationships with the local businesses who can connect you with your next clients.

Establishing these partnerships will help you widen your net and get your name out in the local community. It will help you grow, earn more revenue, and improve the lives of your neighbors.  

How to develop referral partnerships with local businesses

Local businesses can help connect you to your next client. But how do you create this link?

_{1. Write a list of places you're going to go (click here for the Google Sheets Checklist)}

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Don't forget to pay attention to local events that might have some relevance to your business!

2. Write down the names of your contacts at these businesses, or the people you want to establish a partnership with

Before you walk into any establishment, make an effort to know the owner's name beforehand. This way, you're not a total stranger walking in. This empowers you to say "Hi, can I talk to Mary?" Instead of spinning your wheels to a total stranger.

You can also be sure you're not wasting time with someone who has no decision-making power as to whether or not to become your referral partner. This way, it's easier and quicker to have an effective conversation with the right person.

How to find business owner names:

- Go to the business' website. Many businesses list the names of everyone on their team, which includes the head honcho.

- Look up the business on LinkedIn. While this might not work for smaller local establishments, you can find the names and titles of people who work at any given business.

- If all else fails, you might be able to find out the owner's name on social media. The owner might manage their Facebook page, or someone might have posted something about the owner at some point.

3. Design and print out business cards and mini flyers.

Everywhere you go, leave little advertisements behind like breadcrumbs.

A business card is great for displaying on the counters of coffee shops, and the desks of chiropractors and massage therapists.

A mini flyer is perfect for announcement boards that many establishments hang on the wall to announce community events and local services.

You don't need fancy design skills to create a snazzy flyer or business card. Check out these online design tools that make the possibilities endless:

Canva

Adobe Spark

Wix Logo Maker

DesignCrowd

Your business card and mini flyer should invite people to an online landing page that helps them learn more about your business and how you can help them.

Include a QR code on your business card or mini flyer to bring more people to your website. Learn more about QR codes by checking out these links:

What is a QR Code and Why Do You Need One? -- Search Engine Land

How to Generate a QR Code in bitly -- bitly

Finally, check out our blog post, "A Website Checklist to Help Health Coaches Take it to the Next Level" to find out if your website has everything it needs to help you capture new clients.

This way, people can learn about you locally, and connect with you online.

4. Get curious and start a conversation

You shouldn't just run around like an obnoxious salesperson, telling people to hang your flyers and take your business cards.

The REAL way to make these partnerships is to start a conversation. Be curious. Ask them what they see their customers or patients struggling with when it comes to health and nutrition.

This will help you learn about the people in your community that might end up needing your help. It also gets the business owners, doctors, or practitioners thinking about why they might want to refer their customers to you and what value your services might bring to their business model.

So how do you do that?

Ask them straight up!

"Do you think your clients would benefit from nutrition coaching?"
"Do you think your patients could use more support in adhering to a healthy lifestyle?"
"Do you think it would benefit your customers to learn more about HOW to stay healthy?"

Come in to listen, learn, and help.  

5. Add value everywhere you go by offering mutually-beneficial programs

Come armed with ideas for a mutually-beneficial service that can provide local businesses with better results.

Local business owners and practitioners will wonder, "What's in it for me? How are you going to help me?"

For example, if a local doctor identifies that her patients struggle with nutrition, perhaps you can offer a seminar to educate her patients, and to provide additional coaching support.

Maybe you can offer a free talk to people in your community by connecting with your town's community center.

Have some ideas on how you can help. Try to add value everywhere you go.

5. Boost your confidence

Dress up in your best outfit that gives you a boost of confidence. Get in power mode! You want to look your best, feel your best, and go on a TEAR. (Might I suggest blasting some "Eye of the Tiger" in the car.)  

6. Follow up

Like any relationship, these partnerships need regular care and upkeep. Pop on by every month or so, and send them emails with questions, tools, and insights.

A Checklist of places to look for referral partnerships in your area:

It's time to fire up Google Maps and discover how many places within a 30-mile radius are prime locations for referral partnerships. Click here to fill out the Google Sheets version of this checklist.

Write a list of all the local health clinics and doctor's offices within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the hospitals within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the chiropractors within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the mental health and therapy offices within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the gyms and health clubs within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the personal trainers and fitness instructors within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the yoga studios within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the spas within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the massage therapists within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the natural food stores within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the hair salons and beauticians within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the health-conscious cafes and restaurants within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the co-working spaces within a 30-mile radius:  

Write a list of all the medical marijuana/CBD dispensaries within a 30-mile radius:

Write a list of all the garden centers/plant nurseries within a 30-mile radius:

Don't forget your chamber of commerce! Your chamber of commerce will help connect you with people who need your skills.

Future Clients are All Around You

The internet is a wonderful resource where you can find clients all over the world, but there's no reason to look past the wonderful community right outside your door. There are people down the street from you right now as you read this ... that need your help. It's time to get in front of them.

By filling out this checklist, you will be prepared to take action and form long-term referral partnerships. After all, how good will it feel to help your community become healthier?

Click here to fill out the Google Sheets version of this checklist.

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