Creating a Networking Club

After attending several networking clubs, I came away with a bad taste in my mouth. One club was very excited that I was there, or it appeared to be with the vp and prez calling me and offering to do business with me....giving me referrals, etc. I started giving referrals. One member has even given me referrals. However, as soon as I got busy and could not attend any more meetings for two weeks in a row, and iron gate of silence slammed shut in my face.

I understand.

Now, I would like to start my own networking group where we don't make a point to try to get business from EACH OTHER, but just GIVE REFERRALS to others.

Anyone tried this themselves?

Millard

I was in one with those lofty goals once and it failed miserably. Why? Because it became all one-sided: give and no get. People just dropped out eventually (me included).

There are other forms online currently. You might want to check out http://www.linkedin.com

Sandi Bowman

I was in a little networking group many years ago when I had a roof cleaning business in Washington State.

It was a small, informal thing where about 6 to 8 of us would meet at Denny's for lunch every Monday morning.

We all had home improvement or home service type businesses. There was a window washer, a guy who cleaned gutters, a landscaper, a painter, and a couple of others.

Our goal was just to have all of the others in the group carry our cards and flyers and give them out to their customers whenever they thought they had the need for our services. And it worked really well.

It was also like a little mastermind group where we'd all talk about different problems and situations we were facing and getting ideas from the rest of the group on how to solve them.

We talked a lot about marketing ideas and figured out what worked and what didn't work for each other and we even did some combined advertising with all of our services on one flyer.

The concept is great if it works. Often it doesnt. I guess it all depends on the people involved.

Jim

Hi Millard,

I haven't tried this myself, but if I was going to I'd probably use David Frey's article http://www.marketingbestpractices.co...ral-groups.htm as a guideline to create my own group.

HTH,

Steve

Hi Millard,

I've been involved in “Networking” over the years with and without the Club.

Just Good ol' business & Community Networking...

Works Great!

On Networking Clubs...

Think about "nichifying"...

Here's a Great Success model I've posted about before worth Studying...

http://www.serviceroundtable.com/

Keep in mind all the Social Networking sites in Today's Online & Offline world!

Along with some Excellent Referral products which some may not know about...

Great for Brainstorming & some Creative Thinking!

http://businesspartnerships.ca/canad...g_groups.phtml

http://socialsoftware.weblogsinc.com...ces-meta-list/

David Frey's
http://www.instantreferralsystems.com/
http://www.thereferralmovie.com/

John Jantsch's
http://www.referralflood.com/

Phil

"LeTip" is a networking club that works very well in my area. They meet every Thurs morn and have lost very few members in the 3 yrs they've been here.

Those who benefit most from referrals from other Club Members are "Service" people and "Professionals".

I get good leads for advertising projects.

Don Alm

I have noticed that networking groups tend to line the pockets of some, excite others into an Idea that their name is getting out there and stroke the ego of us business owners into believing that networking groups are the next chance to 'get rich quick'. Nothing and I mean nothing beats good ol' word-of-mouth. It is effective and free... and it doesn't feel like a stupid weekly highschool reunion.

I would also like to point out that no networking group can give you the confidence in your product or service to sell it... it is you that must do that. in essence... sell yourself first then sell others. People in networking groups have a very simple agenda... RECEIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE and GIVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE... or at least that has been my experience. especially with BNI

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas.... And thank you for reminding me about the give mentality...That's where I am coming from....

I had forgotten David Frey's 100 Professionals methods....it's a good concept I will use. As I had mentioned earlier some networking groups have left a bad taste in my mouth.

Looks like I'll get busy setting up a power 100 group.

Thanks, everyone.

Millard

[Glenn]

Dear Millard,

Thanks.

Good question.

After reading "Laws of Success" by Napoleon Hill - it seemed common sense that linking brain-power was a powerful force for success.

We started experimenting in 1990.

Immediately recognized The Mastermind Effect in use at all Jay's seminars. Where we met Millard. Some friends belong to Jay Abraham's 50K Mastermind Group.

Dan Kennedy sells Mastermind Distributorships for 30K. And 3 of our Mastermind Group have been to 3 different real estate based meetings. Using Dan's formula.

"Chicken soup for the Soul" was THUNK up at a Mastermind Event.

We use on-line Masterminding to Test New products.

To Try Out New Headlines - Before we Sell them to Consulting clients.

We ALSO Get a constant Stream of Great Insights from our Mastermind Network Inner Circle Members. AND referrals to Consulting clients.

===========================
A Mentor Interviewed 6 different Millionaires
ALL Using The Mastermind Group as 100% of the
POWER Behind their Business Success.

Without Exception.

And totally Unaware of what the others said. ALL agreed on 5 Things you must have BEFORE You Start Inviting People to join your Mastermind Group.

I can't remember Exactly what all 5 are.

Here is #1 - (BEFORE Each member joins) The leader Must Get and Enforce Agreement that all Criticism and negative thoughts be held to the end of each meeting. (Somehow that time never arrives.)

Here is #2 - (BEFORE You Invite each member.) Each person you invite must Sign an Agreement making them RESPONSIBLE for being on time. Being prepared. Getting ALL the work done for himself and the other members that they AGREED to do.

No Excuses. The Success of the Group comes before work, family - everything. 1 or 2 missed meetings and you're out.

I have the 90 minute Interview with all these men and women millionaire Mastermind Group Experts.

Dunno if it's of interest to anyone.

It's helped me a lot.

If there is Enough interest - I'll have my webmaster convert the audiotape to mp3 and CD. Share it with those of you Who Pass the Test at

www.woozinator.com - and send me their Results in a Testimonial. IF you cannot pass the Test. You cannot make a Mastermind Group motor run successfully.

Glenn Osborn
Millionaire Mastermind Marketing Assoc.
[email protected]

Dear Glenn,

Thanks a lot for your insights. You always have GOOD things to say and HELPFUL thoughts that make perfect SENSE.

When Jay Abraham had his Ultimate Research Lab, he had monthly MASTERMIND meetings via phone and TWO in-person meetings. Have you heard of anyone (Other than Jay) doing something like it?

Millard