Business Networking International

[will8989]

Let me tell you about a great organization I joined.

Business Networking International is the correct name. You can read all about it at www.bni.com, so I won't bore you with the details. I was invited to a meeting by my banker and after my first meeting I just had to join. It is a group of business people who get together weekly to refer business to others in the group. That simple. The beauty of it is they allow only ONE person per profession to join. My chapter is a small chapter that is just getting started and they have a real estate agent, mortgage broker, title company, banker, life insurance, commercial real estate, roofer and then there's me, woodworker. When I was introduced as a woodworker everyone was impressed. Then when I gave my talk about scrollsawing, they were really impressed. What was it? How do I do it? What kind of saw do I use? You know, the ususal questions. I showed pictures the first meeting and everyone wanted to see some baskets, so I brought them the second meeting to just show and I SOLD EVERY BASKET I BROUGHT WITH ME. Hubby is getting back into turning so I took a pen he turned with me the 3rd meeting and said "we were expanding our line" and I got orders for 7 pens! I visited another chapter already and guess what? NO WOODWORKER at that group either. Got referrals from them. Went to a training session this morning for my "hook line" and guess what? Every chapter that was there had NO WOODWORKERS!! OF ANY KIND!! And every person from the different chapters this morning invited me to visit them at one of their meetings!! I am allowed to visit all the chapters twice in a year and even though I can't join, you can bet I will get referrals or orders. The real estate agents want to talk to me about putting together baskets for gifts for their clients. Same with the mortgage broker. The life insurance guy wants a pen for his own personal use. And he will take my cards with him and when asked where he got the pen from he will give it to them. The residential real estate agent showed one of my baskets at her office and they want me to do a "private show" for them!! How cool is that?

It was expensive to join, $340 but I have gotten that back already in sales. As this builds and builds, I may be able to give up all but the shows I really enjoy doing and just work from orders. The sky is the limit. There is a code of ethics you have to abide by & attend the breakfast or lunch meeting every week if you want to keep "your spot" , which costs an additional $10. But the sales you get from these meetings are unbelievable! This is something you may really want to check out if you are just getting started in business for yourself or if you don't want to do shows anymore but still want to sell and get top dollar. Check out the local chapters in your area and see if you can get an invitation to attend from someone already a member. And think abouta joining. You won't be sorry you did.

And my "hook line"? "Do you have clients you want to thank? Then call Sawdust and Lace, where blocks of wood are made into beautiful baskets." Course that's still a work in progress, but you get the picture. Any "hook line" ideas are accepted!

Betty

[Dragon]

That's great to hear Betty. I hope it keeps up for you.
Diane

[Marsha]

Thanks Betty. This sounds very promising. I've looked up the Canadian site and they actually have a chapter in Hamilton. They have their breakfast meetings within walking distance of my house. Now I need to get myself invited. I'll be doing a lot more research about this and finding out who the members are in this chapter.
This is the type of information I look for everytime I come to this site.
Thanks alot for posting this thread.
Marsha

[Steviegwood]

Hi Betty, that does sound promising. I will be doing some research in my area as well. Thanks for posting. I started to read this a couple of hours ago and we lost power due to a sudden thunderstorm. Steve

[PuzzledMoose]

Sounds like a great scheme, Betty. Best of luck with it. I'm sure I've heard of of a group like this in our town - now trying to rember where I read it!

[Daryl185]

Betty all I can think of at the moment is this There You Go Girlgo getem and do the things you do best

[Minnesota scroller]

Wow, Betty. It sounds like you struck gold. I'm happy for you. Like Marsha said, this is the type of things some of us look for on this forum. There are many scrollers on this forum with the talent but lack the ideas of how to market their products. Thanks for sharing and good luck.

[will8989]

Just want to pass on the good info. Marsha, I will check to see about getting you into a meeting since I am a member I maybe able to work something out. And Steve in your letter you said there was none in West VA? I will also check into that to see about getting something started. This is a fantastic organization and I am so glad it found me!! They are looking to expand anywhere and everywhere!!!

Betty

[Steviegwood]

Thanks Betty, I would like to investigate this further. Sounds like a good avenue to be on. Steve