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Networking groups are great but there are free ones available. I've been in and around several BNI groups and to me they're more a PITA than they're worth.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:

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I went to a local networking meeting today with about 20 other people and it was pretty cool, people seemed to be all about helping each other, but the cost was $465 the first year and $365 every year after. The group was called, "Business Network International."

Anyone involved in any local networks, and are they worth the time and money? Anything I should be looking for when choosing one?

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It all depends on how much you involve yourself in the network. Joining won't do much, but joining and working the Membership of the network will.

You get out of it what you put into it.

Point is to "Get Out There And Get Visible"

I just spent $600.00 on bandit signs, $300.00 on BBB Membership, $300.00 on Property Management Assciation...And So On.

Work it for a year and see how it goes. $400.00 is cheap if you ask me.

Just stay away from BNI not to good from what I've heard.

 

I'm just speaking from my experience, all the money I wasted! lol!!! Thanks for chiming in with yours.

gutterdog wrote:

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I'm just speaking from my experience, all the money I wasted! lol!!! Thanks for chiming in with yours.

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So am I. I'm not saying that everything or group or whatever made money for our Company. Marketing is a Gamble, if you play you may win, if you don't play you never will.

Your Welcome!

 

Networking is key. Any business group will pay in the end.

gutterdog wrote:

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Ya gotta see what works and what dont in your area. I'll stand behind that.

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I Totally Agree.

I was, but these seem to be working pretty good. I do have a re-design for next month though, that's a 100 more.

Those networking groups are like Jehovah witness. When I first heard about years ago it sounded great. I was lured to one of their meetings. It shouldn't cost THAT much to network.

Have a little insomnia and more time to write now, so I thought I's expand on my networking group ideas a little more.

You've got to give referrals to get referrals typically in these groups. However its not a problem, as you tend to meet great professionals who you enjoy working with. Its a great place to forge lasting friendships and biz dealings. Mot of the time you'll get the opportunity to do a presentation every so often to really show off your stuff.

Learn form other businesses in the group, see what they are doing.

Make sure your group is exclusive in nature, only one cleaner allowed, only one handi-man allowed, etc.

I would make sure I didn't limit myself to just roof cleaning. I'd offer exterior cleaning services.

I have been involved in a couple of groups that got "polluted" with a bunch of MLM vendors and they went downhill from there. Its important to hang out with professionals. MY group right now has the following members (partial list): Chiropractor, Banker, Home inspector, Sign Printer, Travel agent, Handy Man, Realtor, Computer guy, etc.

The Home Inspector referred me a $1700 church...and a ton of other stuff
The Sign Printer swapped out my yard signs for washing her house/roof
The Handy Man and I swap leads almost weekly.
I could go on, but you get the picture!!!!!

I'm actually looking for a second group to join, but hard to find one that fits into my schedule. I pretty much have to do a breakfast meeting. Can't take the time to stop, clean up , do lunch meeting then go back to work.

Your local chamber of commerce likely sponsors networking/leads meetings too.