Here at Nexstar, the highest praise we can hope to receive occurs when a current member reaches out to refer a potential member. It tells us that we are all doing something right. A referral also strengthens our collective membership – we all win when we gain new knowledge, connections and ideas from other excellent work in the skilled residential trades.
For our members, the best – and most rewarding – part of paying it forward and making a referral to Nexstar is this: When a potential referred member joins our network, they will have given them the tools they need to change their business, change their relationships, and change their lives for the better.
Today, many of our member companies have been referred to Nexstar by other members. We thought it would be interesting to learn more about how referrals work and the many benefits of doing so.
Q: How does a current Nexstar member refer a potential member?
A: There are several ways referrals can work:
Direct the owner (or potential store leader) to Nexstar’s public website (www.nexstarnetwork.com/contact), where they can fill out an online inquiry form and quickly book an introductory call. Be sure to include the current member’s name as a referral. Share your potential member’s contact information with Nexstar’s New Member Sales team:
Q: Why are referrals so important?
A: “Referrals speak volumes,” says Jamie Minear, membership sales coordinator at Nexstar. “When a member learns about something – Nexstar – that has impacted their life and changed the course of their company, and then turns around and shares that with fellow contractors, it means a lot. This potential member now understands that joining Nexstar is the first step toward achieving their goals for their company.”
Graig Kosidowski, who serves Nexstar network members as director of new member sales, notes how powerful referrals are in boosting Nexstar membership.
“With Nexstar, a member-owned organization, referrals are vital,” he offers. “While our member companies thrive with the support of the unparalleled resources that Nexstar offers, current members have a unique opportunity to influence the selection of future members. They get to choose who they want in their network. They also have a wonderful opportunity to influence the lives of future members’ employees and their employees’ families. After all, our members are the actors on the ground in their communities, so their voices are essential to recommending like-minded contractors who align with Nexstar’s goals and values. Every time we add a Nexstar Super Member, the strength and success of our combined membership grows.
Q: What happens when a potential member is referred to Nexstar?
A: First, we will check to see if the potential member is located in a location where Nexstar memberships are available, or on an open market. Nexstar only allows a certain number of memberships in a region at one time. Sometimes, the area in which a potential member works is in a location where new memberships are not currently available. In this case, the potential member will not be able to join Nexstar until a spot opens up.
Next, we will see if the potential member meets certain criteria for membership. Nexstar is designed to grow residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical businesses, but we want to make sure a potential member is at the level of their business where Nexstar can be of use.
When everything is ready for the referred potential member, they may then choose to join Nexstar. If they join, the referring member earns distinction as a life changer for bringing the employer into membership. It’s called a “life changer” because that’s what they did: pay it forward by changing the owner’s life.
But that’s not all…Life changers impact the lives of the owner’s family; of their employees; From the families of these employees. As members’ businesses experience tremendous growth, they will create more jobs in their area and provide service, opportunity and care to community members.
It’s not about changing one person’s life. Nexstar membership changes countless lives.
Read directly these compelling quotes that underscore the benefit of Nexstar’s referral program:
“Our Member Referral Program gives existing members a chance to show how much Nexstar really means to them. When we refer, we have that personal connection with new members to succeed at Nexstar.”
“Charlton & Hill originally joined Nexstar in 2002. I served as a coach for Nexstar from 2004 to 2020 when I rejoined Charlton & Hill. Now, as the owner, I knew the greatest resource I could provide to my team was the amazing staff at Nexstar , so we didn’t hesitate to join back as a member! Our growth, our employee engagement, and our customers’ satisfaction all owe a huge thank you to the training, guidance, and resources that Nexstar provides us every day.
“Collins (Owens) said Nexstar was the No. 1 thing that made the biggest impact and difference in his company, and that was all I needed to hear.”
