In an industry with so many “niche” markets, it's easy to get lost in the sea of “trainers and coaches.” It’s not enough to know your craft, go to conferences, add new technology, and even give your clients a world class experience...you must collaborate.

Having a network that is knowledgeable can be invaluable to your training career and business. Your clients trust you and they want to know you are smart, but they really want to know that you are in a well-connected network of professionals who can take care of them. We must continually grow our network of trusted experts to stay ahead of the game.

Here are a few professionals you should have in your arsenal:

• Internist
• Chiropractor
• Physical therapist
• Dietician
• Manual therapist/massage therapist

To start, it's wise to be sure that the people with whom you choose to collaborate are very well-respected and highly sought after. It is important to remember that who you attach yourself to can have a serious effect on your reputation. If you randomly select someone to refer, it could have negative side effects on your business. Make sure that you do your research!

Not sure where to find these professionals? Start with your clients. Do you train anyone who fits into these categories with whom you would be willing to partner? Also, your clients could be a great resource because many of them may have utilized someone they had great success with in the past. You could also simply go online, research, reach out (yes, even cold call) and setup a networking opportunity to meet. Remember, just because you are vetting them doesn't mean they shouldn't vet you as well. Most importantly, remember that you must both be of similar mindset, otherwise it will be short-lived. The goal is to foster long-term relationships.

Now that you’ve established an interest in collaborating with others, be sure to nurture those relationships. Whether you realize it or not, these relationships provide referral opportunities for both parties. It will benefit both businesses to offer collaborative events such as seminars, online calls, Facebook live events, as well as printed materials and collateral available to clients.

With interdisciplinary practices and dense collaborations becoming more common, you don't want to be that trainer or coach who has no one to refer their clients. Be the trusted resource for your clients and make collaboration a priority.