Its been said that "In every consideration, financially, spiritually, emotionally and physically, referrals are the most profitable source of new business."
No argument from me on that point... Marketing is expensive - Prospecting and cold calling can be time consuming and demeaning. And effective lead generation is why so few real estate practitioners make it!
- Question: How does one generate referrals?
- Answer: Through business networking, developing and working Spheres Of Influence.
The best way of collapsing time frames and learning how to develop a Positive Word of Mouth Marketing Campaign is to actively seek out and get involved with Business Networking International (BNI).
BNI is now the world's largest referral organization with Chapters in many countries around the globe. It was started in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner, one of the world's leading experts in networking and word-of-mouth marketing.
Dr. Misner was a management consultant when he started BNI. He worked with companies that needed assistance in the area of strategic planning and organizational development. As a business consultant, he received most of his business through referrals. However, he was not satisfied with the types of business groups that existed and he put together a networking group that he felt was structured, focused on doing business, and had an emphasis on positive reinforcement and support. That organization became BNI. Today, BNI has thousands of Chapters world-wide with tens of thousands of members passing millions of referrals.
Below, you will find some additional information about the BNI organization...
- Founder: Dr. Ivan R. Misner of Claremont, CA
- Established: 1985
- Philosophy: "Givers Gain"
- Mission: To help people increase their business through a structured, positive, and supportive word of mouth marketing program.
- Unique Feature: Only one person per professional classification is eligible to join a chapter
- Number of Chapters: over 4,200
- Number of Members: 84,000 (approximately)
- Number of Referrals passed in 2005: Over 4.4 million
- Value of Referrals passed in 2005: $1.7 billion (U.S.)
For more information about BNI go to http://www.bni.com/ and feel free to contact me with your further questions.
My Experience: During 2005, the BNI chapter I was involved with, was responsible for generating over $60,000 of my income, as a result of the business they referred to me. I've been an active member of the chapter for over 5 years and could not, nor would I want to, try to imagine where my practice would be today without BNI!
About Us Wayne and Lynda Gomillion are Licensed Real Estate Brokers affiliated with GMAC Real Estate in Pinehurst North Carolina. We've been in the real estate profession full time for over a decade and Love Working With Referrals!
If you're interested in becoming part of our strategic alliance, we'll gladly add your contact information to our broker network and refer future business to you. Please feel free to contact us for further discussion and visit our websites to get to know us better...
We're happy to exchange links with quality websites offering relevant content. Please note that prospective sites should have a Google PR 3 or better to be considered.
Thanks in advance
With our highest regard,
Wayne and Lynda Gomillion | "The Pinehurst Home Team"
"The friendship and referrals of those we serve is the foundation of our success."
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Thanks, Wayne and Lynda! Never heard of that organization, but I guess that's one reason to be Active on AR: learn something new. I'll check it out. BTW, my website - 
I like your play on words and Great post too!