How to Stay Top of Mind Without Being Pushy

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, welcome back to Finding Participants! I'm Will, and as always, I'm joined by Winter. Today we're talking about how to stay top of mind without being, you know, that person who just spams everyone. Winter, you ready for this one?

Winter, EnableUs Community

Absolutely, Will. I think this is one of those topics that comes up all the time, especially for NDIS providers who want to build their referral network but don't want to feel like they're pestering people. So, let's start with first impressions. Will, what do you reckon makes an intro actually stick?

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, I mean, honestly, it's gotta be clear and quick. Like, if you can't explain who you are and what you do in a couple of sentences, people just tune out. I always say, keep it friendly, keep it helpful, and—this is a big one—make it easy for them to remember you. I used to overthink my intros, but then I started using a one-page info sheet. Changed everything.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Oh, the one-pager! I love that. What did you actually put on yours? Because I know people get stuck on what to include and end up with, like, a mini novel.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, totally. Mine was super simple. It had my name, the services we offered, who we supported, and a quick blurb about how our process worked. And I always added a little note about our current capacity—like, "Hey, we've got two spots open for support work this month." That way, if they had someone in mind, it was easy for them to connect the dots. Actually, funny story—first time I handed that sheet to a local support coordinator, I thought nothing would come of it. But a week later, she called me up, said she’d pinned it to her noticeboard, and wanted to chat about a participant who’d be a great fit. That one page literally started a partnership I never expected.

Winter, EnableUs Community

That’s such a good example. And it’s so much more effective than, like, a long-winded email or a stack of flyers. I think people remember the ones who make it easy for them, not the ones who try to impress with heaps of info. And, as we talked about in our episode on offline marketing, sometimes it’s those simple, tangible things that actually get noticed.

Will, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And honestly, if you can make your intro feel like you’re just trying to help, not sell, it goes a long way. People remember the relevant ones, not the loudest ones.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Alright, so you’ve made a good first impression. But then what? I think this is where a lot of people get stuck—they either disappear completely or go the other way and start sending updates every week. Will, what’s your take on how often to check in?

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, it’s a fine line, isn’t it? I reckon every couple of months is about right. Like, just enough so you don’t fade into the background, but not so much that people start dodging your emails. And the key is, don’t just send stuff for the sake of it. Make it useful. Share a quick update on your capacity, maybe a new service, or even a little success story—obviously with consent. Keep it short and warm, not a sales pitch.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Totally. And I’ll admit, I’ve definitely messed this up before. There was this one support coordinator I really wanted to build a relationship with, and I followed up way too soon after our first meeting. I thought I was being proactive, but honestly, it just came off as a bit much. She didn’t reply for ages, and I realised I’d probably overwhelmed her. So now, I always space things out and try to send something genuinely helpful—like a checklist or a local event calendar. Something they can actually use, not just another "Hey, remember me?" message.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, that’s such a good point. I think people underestimate how valuable those little resources are. Like, if you send a printable onboarding checklist or a calendar of accessible community events, you’re actually making their job easier. And that’s what gets you remembered, not just another update about your business.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And it’s not just about what you send, but how you send it. If you’re always making it about you, people tune out. But if you’re thinking about what they need, you become a partner, not just another provider in their inbox.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and honestly, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to be everywhere, all the time. But as we talked about in our episode on feedback, sometimes less is more—just make sure what you do send is actually valuable.

Winter, EnableUs Community

So, let’s talk about showing up in person. I know online stuff is important, but nothing beats actually being present in your contacts’ world. What are some simple ways you’ve seen this work, Will?

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, honestly, just turning up to local expos or community events makes a massive difference. I’ve seen providers go from being totally unknown to becoming the go-to referral partner just by showing up, chatting to people, and being genuinely interested. And it doesn’t have to be a big production—sometimes it’s just grabbing a coffee with someone or commenting on their social posts. Those little touch points add up.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And I think it’s easy to forget how important it is to acknowledge the referrals you do get. Like, if someone sends you a participant, even just a quick thank you or a follow-up goes a long way. It’s about nurturing those relationships over time, not just chasing the next new contact.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and I’ve seen it go the other way too—where someone gets a referral and then just disappears. That’s a quick way to lose trust. But if you keep showing up, even in small ways, people remember you. There was this provider I knew who started out just attending community gatherings, not even talking about their services much. Over time, people started coming to them for advice, and eventually, they became the first person everyone thought of when a new participant needed support. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Absolutely. And I think that’s a good note to end on—building a referral network isn’t about flashy marketing or constant self-promotion. It’s about trust, consistency, and being genuinely helpful. If you do that, you’ll naturally stay top of mind for the right reasons.

Will, EnableUs Community

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Alright, thanks for tuning in, everyone. We’ll be back soon with more ways to help you connect with the right participants and grow your network—without the spam. Winter, always a pleasure.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Thanks, Will. And thanks to everyone listening. Catch you next time!