I have to be honest the first time someone told me about networking groups I was beyond skeptical. I had heard of people being successful from them before, but it sounded more like a less expensive pyramid scheme than anything else. I thought that until I went to my first BNI meeting.

*As a brief disclaimer I know there are many other kinds of networking groups out there so I am using BNI as an example*

When I arrived at the group meeting at a local restaurant I was greeted like a long lost friend. What impressed me the most was that everyone went out of their way to make me feel welcome and went out of their way to introduce themselves and learn about me. Even after I had meet a few dozen people I still felt apprehensive and wasn't sure how this group was bringing in so many referrals.

Just before the meeting started I met a nice lady who was the chapter's loan officer. I began probing her with questions about how well she had done and how the group worked. What she said next blew me away.

In 2006 she received 50 referrals that resulted in 22 closed transactions and over $45,000 in commissions.

She had been a part of this group for a few years, but told me it was by far the best thing she has ever done for her business and would recommend it to anyone. It was safe to say that she had completely erased my preconceived notions about the potential pitfalls of a networking group. I decided that day that I was going to do whatever it took to be join a networking group. I moved forward with starting my own chapter and haven't looked back since.

Here are a few suggestions for you to do in getting connected with a networking group:

Find a Local Chapter: Most major networking organizations will have a "Find a Chapter" feature on their website. Most big states have many chapters within each city that you can join. Keep in mind that most networking groups allow for only ONE person in the chapter per type of business. Typically most networking groups have the residential/commercial Realtors and Loan Officers taken quickly so be aware of that during your search.

Don't Give Up: Most people I know who decide to join a group often have to get on a waiting list to join a group because someone who already has their position. If you are passionate about joining a group I would recommend starting your own. Most groups including BNI will have regional managers within the organization who will help you start your own group. Don't be afraid to try new things!

Bring Your Best: Once you've found your networking group it is so important that you become an active participant within the group. Get out of your shell as soon as possible! Get to know each person within your group and find out what they do and how they do it. You'll find that when these people become friends it will be a lot easier for you to bring them referrals. As you bring referrals in you'll see others will do the same in return. It is completely contagious to see others succeeding and having them do the same for you!

Overall I am a passionate believer in networking groups. They are incredible marketing tools to grow your business and also help you develop new and powerful relationships. If you have not been part of a group before or are looking to join one I would really encourage you to do so today. Good luck to you all and go find yourself a chapter to join, or start one of your own!