BNI - Referral Network

[LaurShark]

Hey folks,

Has anyone had any experience with BNI (Business Network International) http://www.bni.com/ ? They're a professional networking group and I've come across an active chapter where I live. They only allow one person per profession in their group, which meets weekly, and they've got like 20-30 members in my town.

It seems like a good idea for me, since I'm just starting out and I'd like to get word-of-mouth referrals, but the membership cost for a year is like $300. I've got the money and I'm going to go visit the chapter meetings to see what it's like. I'm just curious if anyone else has had experience with this group and was it good/bad, etc.

Thanks,
-v

 

[scrooge BU]

One MT in the town I practice in has built her business entirely off her BNI involvement/membership. If you can handle the regular meetings and get along with at least a few others in the group you should enjoy it nicely! Best of luck!

 

[shergal farkey]

Here's a couple more threads with MassagePlanet members who have talked about BNI:

Local small business referral group:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3050&highlight=bni

chamber of commerce thread:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1422&highlight=bni

 

[Ichigo3343]

Hey cyber twin - I must have been searching while you were posting! :

gotdot10012:

Here's another link:

BNI - http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1234&highlight=bni

Sorry I can't help more - I have no experience with BNI.

 

[>:] The tangerine]

hey there godot,

i'm just not completely sold on the whole bni thing. first i'll point out that their membership are $300 for the year but there are also breakfast dues or dues you've got to pay to rent the space you meet in. they forget to tell you this until after you join. ours were $6 a week. well, add that up over a year and the breakfast dues are more than the membership fee! that's over $600 for the year. i just didn't think it was worth it.

here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1. did they previously have a massage therapist in the group? if so, did they like that person? this will hurt you because many of them will still continue to see and refer that other person.

2. what other professions are in the group? if you have a chiro, a hairstylist or anyone who you think will be good source for you....they may already work with a massage therapist which means you'll never see referrals from them.

3. are people really in the group to help others or only to help themselves? this totally just depends on the group itself. that's why it's always a good idea to visit. another good thing to do is to tell the group that you (for whatever reason) are not able to make the commitment of joining at this time but you'd be happy to be a sub. this will allow you to attend meetings without having to be a member (and not have to pay). you sub for someone and talk about their business, but you also talk about your business. this will allow you to really get a better idea of what the group is like.

some businesses really thrive from bni. i know people who get a lot of their business from bni. but i think it's pretty rare. it really makes all the difference in the world who the current members are.

if you ever want to get together, i'm in plymouth and would be happy to meet up!

 

[j-diddy]

I was able to build my business just starting out with BNI, I only stayed 6 months, I got too busy to go to the meetings. I feel BNI helped me. I joined a group that pulled in members from 3 small counties. The things terab listed though to keep in mind are very good points! You can go to the meetings two times as a visitor to see what you think.
I did not like having to go to a big meeting once a quarter, con for me.

LeContefairy