Five ideas for creating centers of influence

Developing relationships with professionals considered to be centers of influence (COIs) to cultivate referrals deserves to be addressed in any marketing plan. Here are five marketing ideas that touch your COIs throughout the year and build lasting relationships.

1. Host a networking event – Host a networking event and invite the COIs you are trying to nurture and have these people invite other professionals they know as well and soon you will have an intimate 25-person networking event. Make sure that your event adds value to the attendees by inviting a diverse group of quality professionals so that they will want to attend again in the future.

2. Develop and distribute useful tools – Provide your COIs with tools that they will reference and use throughout the year such as key financial data cards. Include your logo and contact information on the tool and it will keep your name top of mind.

3. Schedule lunch -Taking time to host a COI to lunch will go a long way in the development of the relationship. Use your CRM to remind you to schedule lunches with all of your COIs quarterly or semi-annually to ensure no one falls through the cracks.