Build better relationships, get visible, and grow your network with purpose (and without the awkwardness).
Getting referrals is about doing great work, asking clearly, and saying thank you. Be specific in your ask so people know exactly who to refer. Build trust through genuine relationships and consistent follow-through. The more intentional you are, the easier it is for others to help you grow.
Even the most underwhelming networking events can lead to meaningful business opportunities. Consistent outreach, follow-up, and simply showing up—especially when it’s inconvenient or awkward—are essential parts of building a sustainable solo business.
Not every business deal is about immediate profit—some opportunities create long-term value that leads to greater success. Taking on strategically valuable projects, even at a lower rate, can refine services, build strong relationships, and open new doors. Knowing when to pursue an opportunity and when to say no helps balance profitability with sustainable business growth.
Referral marketing isn’t just a strategy—it’s the backbone of sustainable growth. Referrals harness the most powerful form of advertising: personal recommendations. Turning satisfied customers into enthusiastic advocates can build trust, attract new clients, and create lasting loyalty without stretching your budget.
Here’s a little tale about why you’re always networking, even when you’re just grabbing a plate of free food.
During the week, people all over the world attend BNI meetings to get and give referrals. But as it turns out, few members tap into the full potential of their BNI chapter. There is a system for generating business referrals, and you have to be willing to do the hard work it takes to get them. Here are six step-by-step instructions for helping people to help you.
Going to a BNI meeting having not done any work behind the scenes is like an athlete going to the Olympics without training – neither is likely to win any medals.
One of the most valuable and often ignored assets any business professional has is their network of personal contacts. If you keep an organized list of contacts, you’ll be able to effectively and efficiently build and deepen your relationships, ask for referrals, or simply keep in touch.
Most of us are familiar with the BNI expression 'people do...
If anyone in the room owns a business with staff, you have likely experienced “leaky bucket” syndrome where we train our team only to find a few weeks later they’ve forgotten the training. We have to keep topping off the bucket!
BNI is notorious for acronyms, and one of my favorites is the...
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A steady stream of visitors is necessary to keep a chapter...
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During business networking meetings, such as BNI or Chambers of...
Are you stressed out about your upcoming featured presentation?...
Here are some secrets for planning and preparing for your...
Business professionals who want to do business by referral are...
So often, BNI members are frustrated about not getting more...
If you’re like me, you have changed your approach to networking over the last seven months. As we have learned in our chapter, we can all find new clients by watching out for each other on Facebook. But Social networks are multifaceted tools being used to create awareness, promote, and build relationships!
It’s been eight+ months since we started doing our weekly referral networking meetings over Zoom. For some, it’s comfortable and natural. For others, we’re either still finding our way or getting pretty tired of doing this virtually.
With social distancing becoming the norm, networking has moved to online platforms, but it is still an essential tool for building relationships. To be successful, you must have the right mindset, where you focus on how you can help others, not how they can help you. This approach builds mutually beneficial relationships, which is the goal of networking. You can start by nurturing existing relationships, checking in on close friends, family, and colleagues. To meet new people, you can target specific groups or be open to random connections. Allocating just 30 minutes a day to LinkedIn can be an effective way to network online by skimming your feed, commenting on relevant articles, and sending personalized messages to your connections.