Tried BNI (Business Networking International)? This is a Gold Nugget for you!!!!

I want to share an idea that will put money in you rpocket during this compressed market....

If you have never heard of BNI, hang tight.... but if you have, I have a question for you!

I'm just a tad curious about anyones luck with BNI. I have been a member for 1.5 years and it's an amazing source of income,referrals and resources for me but I'm looking for new ideas to share at BNI. We have a group of about 35-40 and so our commercials are only 40 seconds now because we are getting so big and so it gets harder and harder to get in something with impact. I'm a fast talker and although I've tried to shove in more with faster speed, that just makes it worse....I need less words with more impact :)

I usually hit on the market when its appropriate, making sure not to beat a dead snake (I don't like the horse metaphor). I really work hard to identify something each week that sets me apart from the competition but its growing hard to be creative.....any ideas? I love this BNI concept and have grown tremendously because of it, but I want to keep it fresh. My marketing is key to my growth as a realtor but I like to think outside of the box and am always looking for new ideas. Got any?

If you have never heard of BNI, its a worldwide organization that educates its members on how to be an efficient networker and relationship builder! http://www.bni.com/ Check it out when you have a moment. You can visit each group in your area twice to find a good personality fit but keep in mind that Real Estate and Lenders are most "in demand" seat in that group so it will be hard to find one unless you help develope one yourself. Thats what we did and now we can help define the personality of our group, which is awesome, high energy and full of referrals. We are only about 1 yr old as a group and we are well into the 6 digit figures on value of referrals passed to each other. Tiffany with Bella Casa Staging http://www.bellacasastaging.com/ is in our group and she is highly active on

About BNI

Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you ...

...because all of them carry several copies of your business cards around with them. When they meet someone who could use your products or services, they hand out your card and recommend you.* It's as simple as that! It's simple because it's based on a proven concept by BNI Founder, Dr Ivan Misner, called "givers gain." If I give you business you'll give me business and we'll both benefit as a result.

Networking is so important in our field and building relationships are the foundation.....BNI is a great resouce! (Tell them I sent you :)

¸..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ¸.·´ -:¦:-Lisa Forss -:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´

Posted by Lisa Forss on 06/03/2007 11:46 AM

Comments (14)

bni, networking, network, market, share ideas, real estate marketing, marketing, building business, business builders, organization

This post has been included in California Information

14 Comments on Tried BNI (Business Networking International)? This is a Gold Nugget for you!!!!

JUN

2007

Hi Lisa - I am in the process of checking this out along with other groups, so I have a question for you. Are you the only Realtor in the group of 40?

Wow, great question, I should have mentioned that part becuase its the best part!!! Once accepted, no other residential real estate agent to get in the group. They can however have a commerical real estate agent. I invited the commerical agent in our group because I know him and respect him so picking your power partner is usually the best option if it is an option for you.

Once a business group is accepted, no other person from that business group can join your group or even do a commerical if they are visiting...... it's closed to other people from your same group.

A BNI group was forming in my town and I called but was too late - they already had a Realtor (he's actually in my office) and I think he's doing really well with it. Funny thing - at one of their first meetings, a friend of mine who was part of the group started talking up "my local" web site which is a neighborhood type of site and (not your typical realtor site) - the other Realtor put a kabash on it (knowing it was my site). I would love to start one but I think they only allow 1 per town - is that correct?

Bni is a great networking group if you can get in. We have many BNI groups in South FLorida problem is when they have an opening 10 mortgage people show up for one slot.

Remeber Givers Gain

Judy, They def. allow more in a town then one. I think we have 6-8 in Temecula right now. The regional director of your area will know. if you look it up on BNI.Com, it should be able to help. Whats nice is that if I need to refer business to another agent in another city, I will check BNI before I check any other organization because I know they are serious about building their business and making customer service a priority. Because BNI is pretty strict about attendance and referrals, I know if they are successful in that group, they will take great care of my client because everyone at that BNI table is a sale force for you and potential client as well!

Matthew: Bummer, I know its hard but maybe you can start your own group with a trusted real estate agent that refers regular business to you, your own stager, escrow, title, handyman etc......

How hard is it to start a group. what does it entail, what are the costs?

I hear they are great. I have tried to get into BNI, but can not. Al the spots are taken.

Hi Michael, Hi Dave,

You can go onto the website www.BNI.com and find the director for your area. Contact that director and find out if there are any spots available or coming up soon. Starting a group is not difficult but your local director will be able to guide you. Just in case you're wondering about cost, it costs about 75/registration and then 275/year for membership....nothing compared to what is possible to earn.

JUN

2007

Lisa,

Nice blog and a great question. Here's an article I wrote for Entrepreneur.com that might help a little:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketingideas/networkingcolumnistivanmisner/article173382.html

All the best.

Dr. Ivan Misner,
Founder - BNI

How cool is this? The founder of BNI, the most successful networking business training ground there is, hangs out at Active Rain too! We knew this was a great site.....

JUN

2007

I've been invited to attend a meeting on the 21st of this month. I got the invite in the mail later in the afternoon after reading your post, Lisa. If it hadn't been for your blog I might have thrown the invite in the trash! So you were my guardian angel on June 3rd, 2007! How cool is that! Love AR, can't wait to go to the BNI meeting! Thx, Lisa!

Karen Dembsky

You will love BNI Karen. The stager in our group is presently our amazing President and a very successful stager in Southern California as well. She is my personal stager for my listings. You should strike up an alliance with a couple agents. Once they have seen your work and are confident in in your abilities, they will refer you out, I promise! Even my husband who is now working with me, has seen her magic and boasts about her at every marketing appointment! She is actively on here too...BellaCasaStaging. She also loves to share ideas with other stagers and people in the business.

Have a great BNI meeting! As far as me talking about BNI and then you gettting an invitation....Ever seen The Secret? You put it out there......and it arrived!

I read the book about a month ago and now read a page or two every day -- and that is EXACTLY what I thought when the invite came in the mail! It is amazing. Thx, again

Karen

SEP

2007

Excellent post Lisa, thanks for the link to BNI. I've been to two meetings and submitted my application. I'm excited to have the opportunity to join this group, I've already had a referral!

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?