Posted by Mindy_WA on 12/12/06 2:53pm
Msg #165436

Networking groups...NOT just Notary Networking

Do any of you belong to a networking group? You know, the kinds that only accept one professional from each type of field. I am researching this in our area, and would like to know any pro's/con's that you may have experienced.

Just curious if anyone has found that these networking groups are/aren't beneficial.

I'm leaving for a signing. Will be interesting to see if anyone responds when I get back.

Thanks!
Mindy

Reply by Gary_CA on 12/12/06 3:28pm
Msg #165440

I'm toying with Rotary... not this one the other one...

I've been to one meeting, 7am breakfast every Wednesday. Looks worthwhile, but I haven't taken the plunge yet.

Reply by Mindy_WA on 12/12/06 6:31pm
Msg #165462

Re: I went to a 7am meeting....

today...BOY that's getting up at 5:45 AM!! I didn't even know there were two 5:00's in a day!
There seems to be a lender, title co rep, and real estate agent at all these networking groups, as with this one. But, this one has a commercial real estate agent, and they are working on a lender for that piece. This one could turn out to profitable. It's the "dues" that I am having a hard time choking up.
Mindy

Reply by LaShon James-Major on 12/12/06 8:29pm
Msg #165475

Former Networking Member

I was a member of LeTip here in Southern CA but my membership was as an insurance agent. My mom is a member of Team Women.

I think the networking groups are a great piece of your marketing pie but still continue your other marketing efforts. Before you join:

1) Calculate how much business you would need to make your membership worthwhile.

2) Prior to joining speak with the people who will be your power partners (the ones that are most likely to give you business) to make sure you like them and that you'd have no problem referring them business.

3) Be prepared to give leads not just get them

4) Be willing to recruit new members for the group

5) I wouldn't suggest joining a newly formed group, there are usually a lot of kinks to still work out

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/13/06 1:38am
Msg #165530

Re: Former Networking Member

Excellent advice. I've been a member of a LeTip chapter in socal for three years now and it has been worth it to me. However, I agree that it very much matters the group you get into and it takes a fair amount of commitment. The hardest part for me is getting up for the early breakfast meeting every week - but those tend to be my most productive days. ;> I get motivated by the group and have made some excellent contacts for services I use. But as LeShon said, in LeTip, you now have to generate at least 4 tips a month for other chapter members and need to help recruit others to keep your chapter viable. Like the notary networks, there's no free ride.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 12/12/06 8:36pm
Msg #165476

By far the best networking group I have found is

BNI (Business Networks International). This organization was founded for the specific purpose of helping its members out. You are required to go to the meetings or to get anl alternative to attend. You must be a business person and you must stand and deliver a 5 minute spiel on your business at each meeting. Also you agree to refer all business of the type your fellow members handle to those fellow members as they are to you. It is intense but a very good way to get established and to have an immediatel number of active networking business. Thier website is dub dub dub DOT bni DOT com. Enjoy the cameraderie!

Reply by Mindy_WA on 12/13/06 12:52am
Msg #165523

Re: This group is BNI...

I see a lot of enthusiasm in this group and seems that there are several ways that would benefit the 2 businesses we have. Yes, the cost is what is concerning, but as another poster mentioned, there is no fee (mentioned so far) for the cost of the conference room. No breakfast meeting as of yet. It is a new group, and I am sure there will be kinks. I just need to decide if I could get enough business to make it worth while. Thanks for the input, I value all of your opinions. I will let you know, if we do it, and what the outcome is.
Mindy

Reply by Ernest__CT on 12/13/06 9:08am
Msg #165559

Thanks, Charles, for Posting about BNI.

A visit to their Site brought me face to face with three things I couldn't pass up: One PDF and two hardcopy books. (sigh. I'm a bibliophile.)

BNI sounds like a great concept. The cost to join the local Chamber of Commerce is very high, much more than I can justify. Does anybody know how much it costs to join BNI? There's nary a mention on the Site....

Reply by Gary_CA on 12/13/06 2:31pm
Msg #165674

Tits on a boar...

no, not BNI... your local chamber of commerce... if you ask me. At least mine. Lots of money, lots of work, not enough benefits to stuff your shirt pocket.

I'm liking Rotary... I think doing something for the community besides looking for business is a good thing.

I too hate the early mornings, but ya know... going to a breakfast meeting sets your day up for success, lunch meetings blow a hole right through it.

My 2 cents, free.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 12/12/06 9:55pm
Msg #165483

I've also heard good things about BNI

I was invited to join a local chapter but at the time I didn't have biz cards, website or anything to distribute so I told them I'd join at a later date. The "stand & deliver" doesn't concern me it's the fees. I think it costs around $300 to join (gulp).

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 12/12/06 10:20pm
Msg #165491

Re: as a previous BNI member I will say....

It IS expensive - I was a BNI member for 1 year. In addition to the $300 fee, you have to pay a monthly fee for the "breakfast and room" - ours was $12/week - multiply that x 52 weeks and you have another $624!!!! They say you get all the money back in referrals - and I did - I think for the year I made about $1500 from referrals, not alot off profit there. Every BNI chapter is different depending on the people in the chapter and just how serious they are about referring business. I chose not to renew my membership due to the lack of enthusiasm in my chapter. I will say, however, that if anything, it kept me focused on my goals and target market.