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Renia Carsillo

The Networking Tool That Makes Referrals Feel Natural [Two on Tuesdays]

Published 2 months ago • 2 min read

Happy Tuesday, Reader!

If you're like most founders I work with, the word "networking" might make you cringe a little. It's earned a reputation that conjures images of forced conversations, uncomfortable self-promotion, and that nagging feeling that you're just using people for personal gain. And, coming across as “salesy” in the current market can make you seem out of touch, at best.
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But what if networking could feel different? What if it could help you build a community that sustains your business even during the toughest of times?
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Authentic relationship-building could be the networking ingredient you’ve been missing.

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Think about those rare, magical moments when you connect authentically with someone who genuinely appreciates your work. Or when a like-minded individual introduces you to a contact who helps expand your business into untapped markets.
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These aren't just lucky breaks. They're the result of intentional relationship-building. The challenge is that most of us treat these moments as happy accidents rather than predictable outcomes we can cultivate.
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The VIP Scorecard: A Powerful Tool Worth Revisiting Right Now

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If you've been around here a while, you may have heard me talk about the VIP Scorecard method before. But given what so many founders are navigating right now (tighter budgets, longer sales cycles, clients who are understandably slower to commit), it felt like exactly the right moment to bring it back to your attention.
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This isn't another "work the room" networking tactic. The VIP Scorecard is a relationship-building self-assessment that transforms networking from an abstract, uncomfortable obligation into a meaningful practice aligned with your values.
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How the VIP Scorecard Method Works
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The VIP Scorecard assigns point values to relationship-building activities based on how meaningful they are to the recipient. The goal? Earn 100 points each week through actions that strengthen authentic connections with your "Very Important People.”
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Keep in mind that these VIPs aren’t just your highest-paying clients. They’re your entire constellation of referral sources.
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Networking activities on the scorecard include…
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  • Leaving a review on a meaningful platform (10)
  • Sending a handwritten thank you card (20 points)
  • Spotlighting someone on your resource page (100 points)

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When you consistently hit that 100-point target, something remarkable happens: referrals start coming naturally, business opportunities increase predictably, and networking transforms from a draining obligation into an energizing practice that aligns with your values.
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Working with a team? This tool is useful for them, too.

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The VIP Scorecard works just as well for coaching sales and marketing team members as it does for founders working solo. When team members track their relationship-building activities, patterns emerge fast—and you can give specific, useful feedback instead of just telling someone to “network more.”

A values-aligned networking strategy is possible when you put people first.

​Check out our blog post to learn more about the VIP Scorecard and how you can implement it in your business. You'll learn:

  • How to identify your true VIPs (hint: it's a smaller group than you might think)
  • The full scoring system for different relationship-building activities
  • How to create a sustainable rhythm that generates consistent results

Plus, you can access your own downloadable copy at the end of the post.

No more awkward networking. No more business cards collecting dust. Just authentic connections that naturally lead to sustainable growth.

I’m looking forward to hearing how the VIP Scorecard transforms your approach!

Until next time,

Renia C.

P.S. - Have you experienced one of those "magical moments" of authentic connection that led to unexpected business growth? Reply to this email and share your story—I'd love to hear it!

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Renia Carsillo

Chief Strategist at Realign Consulting

Renia (pronounced R-EE-n-a) Carsillo hates business silos and marketing hacks. So, she spends her days working with mid-size and small companies to integrate their business strategy with their impact strategy, design sustainable marketing frameworks, and find a growth cadence that works for their team and their lives. Renia believes founders are uniquely positioned to create a kinder, more equitable world. She is passionate about bringing C-level strategic support to the small and mid-size companies shaping their communities every day. Renia says, "Sustainable marketing is built on a solid business strategy. A solid business strategy is built on values-driven habits. Values-driven habits are built on healed/healing leaders. We can’t do these things separately. They’re all interconnected. ”

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