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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Michelle,

It depends on your personality.  Some do well in groups like BNI like Joe Petrowsky who is a shining example of this.  It also depends on the makeup of the group as well as the leadership of the group.  Like real estate agents not all groups are great.  

My suggestion is to check everything out, go to a meeting and see how you feel.

All the best, A

May 20, 2015 12:26 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Michelle. I have been a member of my BNI group for 17 years, consider it my second best client. There is also no one that gives out more referral than me, so I get a lot in return.

May 19, 2015 11:22 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

in my opinion, it's too time consuming and to network within a group and see a monetary result will take a very long time.... I like to see results much faster....it's business....

May 19, 2015 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Michelle Grunberg I filled in for a person in my office for some BNI meetings. They were very demanding and if you didn't bring in a referral that week, you got some funny looks from the other members. I belonged to a commercial real estate networking group which was outstanding.

May 20, 2015 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Some BNI groups are outstanding and others may lead to disappointing results.

Follow the blogs of Joe Petrowsky for outstanding information on developing your referral network.

May 20, 2015 12:20 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Michelle Grunberg - you can create your own little network with your own affiliates in your business.

Buffini and Company shows how easy it is to do that.

May 20, 2015 09:10 PM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

It can be beneficial, but I think picking up the phone and being visible is an easier way to network.  I've seen some people have success with BNI and similar groups, but I've seen many more people join and not get anything out of it.

May 20, 2015 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I think you will find a real estate agent already a member in every BNI group in your area. We have been members of networking groups in the past and never saw any business. Spend your money and time wisely.

May 20, 2015 03:36 AM
Rainer
160,131
Michelle Grunberg
eXp Realty - Ijamsville, MD
When Honesty, Integrity and Loyalty Matters!

Thank you so much for all these wonderful suggestions and advices 

May 20, 2015 03:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I got thrown out of a BNI group once--too independent for them. Too me, it's too much like a cult and I'm past the stage of life where I want so many rules and regulations. But there are lots of different kinds of networking groups in many towns and it's good to find one or two that suit your style and personality.

May 20, 2015 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I think it could have benefits. I have attended some but not am a permanent member. Conflicts in schedule have prevented me from being a regular.

May 20, 2015 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

In my area there is someone who does neighborhood walks. Each week is a different area. I think this is a better way to network than these clubs . 

May 19, 2015 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Networking groups can be beneficial.

However, I do not participate expecting a river, a stream or even a trickle of leads. My purpose in membership is to create resources that allow me to deliver solutions for those who contact me regarding real estate.

Is it worth the money? NO. Attend as a guest. But it is a place to begin so you can learn how to do your own networking. EVERYONE you need in this business is only one person away. Understand that and your networking efforts becomes your catalyst to relationship building. 

Think about it. Now every phone call you make can have REAL purpose and elevate the individuals you contact to higher relevance.

May 19, 2015 10:07 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Like anything else, it kind of depends on the effort you put into it.

Dec 20, 2018 06:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I joined a group that required monthly payment to a founder, I got no benefit, just because it was promises and the founder focus was to get paid, not to help them. I do believe, though in networking, and I love AR meetups, so some other networks I attend( find them via evite, FB, local associations, local hobby groups).

Jan 28, 2018 09:16 PM