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BNI The World's Largest Referral Based Opportunity

By Kevin Gyllenblad

Real Estate Agent with Edina Realty Crosslake

April 03, 2008 07:24 AM

Hello From The Northland,

Exciting opportunities are happening in the Brainerd Lakes Area. We started our new BNI group in Pequot Lakes 5 month's ago, our kickoff for our chapter was April 1, we recruited 23 additional members to our group. We find ourselves with 48 members and growing. We now have a personal sales team of 48 people, that could equate to over 17,000 people that the 48 members know. If you have the opportunity to get involved with a BNI chapter I would highly encourage you to get active. Have a great day.

Kevin Gyllenblad

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Johnny Huang

Pleasant Hill, CA

Insurance and Real Estate Broker

I've been trying to get into a BNI chapter but no one is responding back to me. Any hints on how to get in touch with them?

Apr 03, 2008 07:40 AM

Shawn Gerhardson

Waterstone Mortgage NMLS#186434 - Cambridge, MN

Top Rated Mortgage Professional

Hi Kevin-BNI is the best referral organization out there. My wife and I launched the Isanti MN chapter in December 07 and we have 43 members. Come visit us sometime!

Apr 03, 2008 07:47 AM

Leslie Godbold

WZGM AM1350 Independent Asheville Radio - Asheville, NC

Motivation Speaker, Radio host "Positively Living"

Kevin, I looked at my area groups but didn't act on it. Because of your recommendation, I will now. Thanks, Leslie

Apr 03, 2008 12:13 PM

Karen Turney

Homesmart - Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Real Estate

Hi Kevin, I just found your group here on Active Rain. I was excited to see that it was a BNI group. I have been a member of BNI for over 10 years!! Yep I'm a seasoned BNIer. Your group is growing very fast. I just started a new BNI group after leaving a 40 member group. Our new group wanted to focus more on customer service and authentic referring. So we are working on growing the group and I am excited to exchange ideas about that. Did you use any particular marketing ideas for your group??

Apr 28, 2008 04:37 PM

Kevin Gyllenblad

Edina Realty Crosslake - Crosslake, MN

Broker - Brainerd Lakes Area

Hello Karen,

We had our BNI meeting this morning, great turn out with 2 new members joining today. We started with 4 people meeting for coffee back in October and have grown our chapter to 43 people. Today alone I received 3 leads. As far as marketing ideas I have been more focused on the web for marketing, I feel that the print media does not have the teeth that it use to have. Have a great day.

Sincerely,

Kevin Gyllenblad

Apr 29, 2008 06:38 AM

Karen Turney

Homesmart - Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Real Estate

Hi Kevin,

Nice speaking with you today, I love this group and am hopeful that we can all help each other. Our meeting is on Thursday morning and we are Called the Scottsdale Business Builders. We should be listed on the BNI site soon, we were just chartered.

Apr 29, 2008 08:29 AM

Tara Colquitt

Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, LLC - Philadelphia, PA

Credit Counselor

Kevin: Congratulations on your number of members. I am trying to actively grow my group. We are 25 strong. I will look on your site to see your member types.

Apr 30, 2008 01:42 PM

Kevin Gyllenblad

Edina Realty Crosslake - Crosslake, MN

Broker - Brainerd Lakes Area

Hello Tara,

Perhaps your group could host a community open and invite 2500 people in the community, out of that you may have 100 people attend. After our kick off party we had 23 people submit applications. Have a nice day.

May 01, 2008 12:39 AM

Tara Colquitt

Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, LLC - Philadelphia, PA

Credit Counselor

Kevin: We are having a Visitors' Day in May. I still need to review your site for group types. It is very hard to get any contractors because of our lunch time meeting.

May 01, 2008 04:08 AM

Karen Turney

Homesmart - Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Real Estate

Hi Everyone, Did you know there is another group called Realtors of Business Networking International here on the rain?

May 07, 2008 09:04 AM

Tara Colquitt

Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, LLC - Philadelphia, PA

Credit Counselor

Karen: I'm not a Realtor, so in keeping with the guidelines of the group, I did not join.

May 07, 2008 09:21 AM

Kevin Gyllenblad

Edina Realty Crosslake - Crosslake, MN

Broker - Brainerd Lakes Area

Tara, It seems to work the best for an early morning meeting. For contractors they like to get on a site early in the morning and not have to depart in the afternoon. We have a first class group in our BNI network. Have a great day.

Kevin Gyllenblad

May 07, 2008 01:12 PM

Kevin Gyllenblad

Edina Realty Crosslake - Crosslake, MN

Broker - Brainerd Lakes Area

Hello Karen,

I will take a look at that site on the rain. We have the Minnesota fishing opener May 10th. Tim Pawlenty, our Govenor will be here in Breezy Point for the opener, this should be a good kick off the the Real Esate season.

Kevin Gyllenblad

May 07, 2008 01:15 PM

Geoff Scowcroft

Coldwell Banker - Studio City, CA

I've heard of this group in the past, but I've never checked them out. I'll check out the group on ActiveRain and look for a chapter in Los Angeles.

May 07, 2008 01:21 PM

Kevin Gyllenblad

Edina Realty Crosslake - Crosslake, MN

Broker - Brainerd Lakes Area

Hello Geoff,

In our industry with BNI it does take some time to build trust with your associates. I highly recommend finding or starting a chapter in your area. Have a great day.

May 08, 2008 07:26 AM

Evelyn Johnston

Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

The People You Know, Like and Trust!

It sounds like you are off on the right foot. 43 members sounds like a good size group.

Sep 25, 2010 10:54 AM