Once a week I meet with fellow business owners for what I call Business Social Networking or BS for short. That is right, BS, because that is what you get out of most of these meetings. One hour of people talking up how great they are, just to drive business their way from you and your leads, but never really wanting to give back.
Why is this? I feel that it is a trust issue. Have you ever had your name sold by a company that you do business with to another businesses e-mail or direct mail mailing lists? How did that make you feel, when you found out how they got your name?
B.S. can bring you great wealth, but you have to prove yourself first and sometimes the only way to do that is to have a common client that you have both done business with and the client talks highly of both of you. I've met many great business owners that talk great about themselves, but when you talk to their clients, the story isn't the same.
How would I feel if I referred one of my clients to this member of the group and they came back and asked, "How could you refer that person to me, they were horrible!"? I would feel like a heel and have to say that I had never used them, I just knew of them from my business networking group. I sold them out for the chance to earn business from this person.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are people that are in my group that I have invited and I would trust them with my clients. And they have invited others that they trust. But, every once in a while, as some members leave the field and leave an opening in our business networking group, we have people join that no one has ever met. How do you deal with this, what is your expectations of such a group?
Should I count on B.S. groups as a reliable source of business, especially if they now know I may never refer something to them unless I know they can be counted on to care about my customers as much as I do?
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors
Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!
Click here to start your FREE home search now
Hi Todd
I can see the value in social networking. I can also see where you can have some difficult people in the system, but as long as you know who you are that's all that counts. I recently did a post on hitting 200,000 and I wanted to thank you for helping me get there.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
YES & NO - refer the people you trust - that's all you can ever do,
I look for potential marketing partners that share my same values and am very careful on who I associate with. B.S. networks can be very beneficial, but as you said, it all comes down to a trust issue.
Thanks for the post.
Todd ~ I couldn't agree more. In fact, I just posted about the importance of tribes in real estate and business, which is essentially the same thing that you are talking about. Forming strong bonds with other business professional provides an invaluable level of trust with those people. In the long run everyone benefits from these relationships.
Todd - I've yet to join a networking group like this for this very reason. I would be very unlikely to refer someone out without personal or very credible advice from a trusted source. I too have heard the "marvelous things" people say they do, until you meet their clients.
Hi Todd, You seem to have a well grounded sense of integrity. be care4ful who you refer - they reflect on you.
Todd- Start a group using BNI..do NOT JOIN a group. You must preside over the group. Just like Toastmasters, BNI, Business Networking International, has a solid foundation and a track record of success.
http://www.brokeriptv.com/metro-broker-brian-mcmillan-bni-genx-geny
here is an interview with a broker that does well with his referral group.
TC,
Someone has to set the standards in any group...someone has to draw a line in the sand...someone has to keep the bar high...!!! THat's how you deal with those groups!!! Thanks, Fran
Hey, if the street goes both ways and they will handle the referral as you would, why not? Knowing a ton of professionals can't be a bad thing either.
I'm a member of a BNI group. We do two things that might help. When a member does work for another member or another member's friend, client, etc., that member can write up a testimonial. We also do one to ones where we meet outside the chapter to get to know each other better.
Maybe one or both of these would help your concerns.
Todd - Nice play on words. You raise a good question here - I will be interested to read more responses.
Todd- I have made it a point not to refer out of expectations...I refer to whomever is best to work with that client. Period !
Hey Todd,
BNI is a start, AmSpirit is another, LeTips could be...however, I co-founded Gold Star Referral Clubs to grow my real estate business - and IT WORKS! AND is more user-friendly!
Better than getting qualified referrals, there is a fantastic compensation plan to start your own club. Many realtors tell me that BNI just doesn't have the seats available, and don't know what to do. They start their own Gold Star Club!
Gold Star Referral Clubs are based on the principle of "give and receive", and the "know, like, and trust factor" among the members. Because of Gold Star Clubs, I have become a genuine resource for clients, friends, and family! Since I have taken the time to get to know like and trust my Club's members, I have ZERO hesitation sending them to my best clients!
Check it out: www.goldstarclubs.com... Start a club...your bank account will thank you for it!
Sincerely,
Todd Davis, National Director, Gold Star Referral Clubs & Broker/Owner, Alliance Team Realty, Tulsa, OK
"Business Made Easy"