10: How to build and leverage a massive referral partnership network — Alex Balderstone, CEO at Kaiku

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MORE FROM KAIKU

Kaiku is a smart matchmaking platform for early stage venture funds. They work with 100s of venture funds globally focussing on supporting technology enabled Seed to Series A start-ups raise funding. Learn more at kaiku.co

Reach out to Alex at alex -at- kaiku.co or www.linkedin.com/in/alexbalderstone

GUEST BACKGROUND

Alex Balderstone is the co-founder and CEO of Kaiku, a platform that provides smart, data-driven matchmaking between venture funds and startups.

He is also the Venture Director at the Birmingham Enterprise Community (BEC) and the Founder of Warwick Congress.

MAIN INSIGHT

Grow your business by building and maintaining a network of referral partnerships by understanding the community and what incentives could work for them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Build a solution to a problem that already exists as opposed to a problem that doesn’t exist
2. Always create an opportunity to be present in your community or network
   1. Stay relevant to your network to the point that they’ll mention you if there are questions or news about your industry or niche
3. Go to events and speaking opportunities and create content to grow your network
4. Follow the right people on social media and interact or engage with them to build a solid presence
5. Two pitfalls of networking
   1. Quality of Network – making sure that you’re targeting the right people
   2. Maintaining and keeping a strong presence on your network through attending events, conferences, etc.

PRACTICAL STEPS

1. Get your message out there, whether on LinkedIn, at events, or at conferences
2. Leverage other platforms such as lunchclub.ai – an ai networking platform to get clients or referrals
3. Create a segmentation of your partners and clients and create unique incentives and referral programs for each segment
4. Maintain your relationship and presence with your network
   1. Give them updates about your product, service, team, position, etc., to stay relevant.
   2. Connect with people and create content
   3. Get them on your list

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Don’t be afraid to get your message out there
2. Spend an hour each day on LinkedIn or Twitter to be relevant to your network
   1. Create content
   2. Share highlights and news on your industry
3. Understand the community and what incentives would work for them