4 Ways to Partner Without Trading Referrals | Businessing

Businessing with Pat Miller · Sep 3, 2026 · 37m

Not every referral partner is ready to send you business yet, and that's fine. There are four ways to move a new partnership forward without either of you selling to the other one's list.

I start with the five steps that make you a good referral partner in the first place. Know exactly what you do and who you serve. Know who else sells to that same audience. Be an actual human being on the first call. Find one slice of the business to work on together instead of the whole thing. Then build something fresh rather than trading names. Part two is what to do when you like the person but you're…