You've got the basics down. You know what NWG does, how to talk about it, and how to hand off leads. Now let's take it to the next level. These are the strategies top partners use to consistently generate referrals and maximize their earnings.
🎯 The Mindset Shift
Before we get into tactics, let's talk mindset. The best partners don't think of themselves as salespeople. They think of themselves as:
- Problem solvers — "I know someone who can fix that"
- Connectors — "Let me introduce you to..."
- Resource providers — "I actually have a guy for that"
When you approach it this way, referrals feel natural, not pushy. You're helping people, not selling to them.
🔄 Build Referrals into Your Routine
The #1 difference between partners who earn consistently and those who don't? Habits.
Weekly Habits
- Monday scan: Scroll through your social feeds looking for business owners complaining about their website or marketing
- Wednesday check-in: Revisit any warm leads from the past month—did they move forward?
- Friday networking: Attend one local event, meetup, or online community gathering
Daily Micro-Habits
- When you visit any local business, glance at their website on your phone. Outdated? Slow? Not mobile-friendly? That's an opportunity.
- When someone mentions their business in conversation, ask about their website
- When you see a "Grand Opening" or "Under New Management" sign, that business probably needs web help
🏭 Industry Specialization
Some partners find success by becoming the go-to person for a specific industry. Here's how:
Pick an Industry You Know
Do you work in healthcare? Know a lot of restaurant owners? Have connections in real estate? Lean into it.
Why Specialization Works
- Credibility: "I've helped 5 other dentists get set up with Joe" hits different than "I know a website guy"
- Word of mouth: Industry peers talk to each other. One referral can snowball.
- Tailored pitch: You can speak to industry-specific pain points
Industry-Specific Angles
| Industry | Pain Point to Mention |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | "Are you still using a PDF menu? People Google your menu before deciding where to eat." |
| Contractors | "When someone searches 'plumber near me', does your site show up? That's where the jobs are." |
| Healthcare | "HIPAA-compliant, professional, and patients can book online. That's what Joe builds." |
| Retail | "Are people buying from your competitors online while your site is stuck in 2015?" |
| Professional Services | "Your website is your first impression. Does it look as professional as you are?" |
| Fitness/Wellness | "Class schedules, online booking, membership info—all in one place." |
🌐 Online Referral Strategies
Facebook Groups
Join local business groups, entrepreneur groups, and industry-specific communities. When someone asks for website recommendations:
- Don't just drop a link—add context
- Share why you recommend NWG specifically
- Offer to DM them more details
Example response:
"I highly recommend Joe at Neighborhood Website Guy! He does custom sites (not templates) and includes monthly management with SEO content. Way more personal than the big agencies. Happy to connect you if you want!"
- Update your headline to mention you help businesses with web solutions
- Share NWG content or success stories (ask Joe for these)
- Comment on posts from business owners discussing growth challenges
Nextdoor
Perfect for local businesses. When someone asks for recommendations or a business owner introduces themselves, that's your opening.
Google Reviews
Leaving reviews for local businesses? Add a friendly note like "Great service! Your website could use an update though—happy to recommend someone if you're interested!"
🤝 Strategic Partnerships
Some of the best leads come from other professionals who serve the same clients but don't compete with NWG.
Great Partners to Connect With
- Accountants/Bookkeepers — They know which businesses are investing in growth
- Business coaches — Their clients often need websites
- Marketing agencies — Many do ads/social but not websites
- Photographers — They shoot for businesses that need web presence
- Commercial real estate agents — New businesses need websites
- Print shops — "Need business cards? How's your website?"
- Graphic designers — They do logos, often not websites
The Partnership Pitch
"Hey, I work with a web developer who specializes in small businesses. If any of your clients ever need website help, I'd love to make that introduction. Do you have a go-to person for that already?"
📅 Event & Networking Gold
Where to Find Leads
- Chamber of Commerce events
- BNI or other networking groups
- Industry trade shows
- Local business expos
- Startup meetups
- Coworking spaces
- Small business workshops
The Networking Opener
When someone asks "What do you do?" (and they will), try this:
"I help connect small business owners with web solutions. Actually, I work with this great developer—he does custom sites with ongoing management. What about you? What's your business?"
Then, when they share their business, you can naturally ask about their website.
📱 Social Proof & Content
Share Success Stories
Ask Joe for before/after examples or client testimonials you can share. Real results are more convincing than any pitch.
Create Your Own Content
- Post about why websites matter
- Share stats about mobile usage and local search
- Talk about your experience with NWG (if you've used them)
- Comment on business topics and mention web presence when relevant
The Soft Sell Post
"Just helped another local business get connected with a solid web developer. If anyone's looking for a website that doesn't cost $5k and includes ongoing support, DM me—I know a guy. 👀"
⏰ Timing is Everything
Some moments are perfect for bringing up websites:
| Trigger Event | Why It's Good Timing |
|---|---|
| New business launch | They're setting up everything—website is on the list |
| Rebrand or name change | New name = new website opportunity |
| Moving locations | Updating address, might as well update the whole site |
| Competitor launched a new site | FOMO kicks in |
| Slow season | Time to invest in marketing and web presence |
| After a bad review mentioning the website | Pain is fresh—they're motivated |
| Hiring/expanding | Growth mode = investment mode |
📊 Track What Works
Top partners know their numbers:
- Where do your best leads come from? Double down on that channel.
- Which industries convert best? Focus your efforts there.
- What's your conversion rate? If it's low, ask Joe for feedback on lead quality.
🚀 The Long Game
Follow Up (Without Being Annoying)
Not everyone is ready right now. A simple check-in 2-3 months later can revive cold leads:
"Hey! We chatted a while back about your website. Did you ever end up making any changes? Still happy to connect you with Joe if you're interested."
Turn Clients into Referrers
If your referral becomes a happy client, ask them to spread the word too. Happy clients are the best marketing.
Stay in Touch with Joe
Ask about new features, success stories, or updates you can share. The more you know, the better you can pitch.
Partner Levels (Unofficial Goals)
Set your own targets:
| Level | Referrals/Year | Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1-5 | $120-$600+ |
| Active | 6-12 | $720-$1,440+ |
| Pro | 13-24 | $1,560-$2,880+ |
| All-Star | 25+ | $3,000+ |
Based on 20% of the setup fee per referral. E-commerce and custom builds pay more.
💡 Final Tips from the Top
- Be genuine — People can smell a sales pitch. Just be helpful.
- Know your stuff — The more confident you are, the more trust you build.
- Stay consistent — One referral a month adds up to serious money over time.
- Follow through — Check on your leads, celebrate wins, learn from misses.
- Have fun — This should feel like helping friends, not cold calling strangers.
🎉 You're Ready
Congrats on making it through the entire Partner Crash Course! You now know:
- ✅ What NWG does (and doesn't do)
- ✅ How to explain it in plain English
- ✅ Who makes the perfect client
- ✅ How to start conversations naturally
- ✅ How to handle any objection
- ✅ The handoff process
- ✅ How your commissions work
- ✅ Advanced strategies to level up
You're armed with knowledge, backed by a great product, and ready to help small businesses succeed—while earning money doing it.
Now get out there and make it happen! 🚀
Questions? Ideas? Feedback? Reach out to Joe anytime. We're building this program together, and your input matters.
Welcome to the team, Partner.