For those of you that do not know, BNI stands for Business Networkers International. BNI is an annually paid networking group that meets weekly and is designed to create an enviroment of local business activity by excluding competition & incentivizing referrals.
I am reccomending that if you are an independent graphic/web designer who wants to work with many local clients on one month projects, you should seriously consider joining and being a leader at a BNI chapter.
This week, my friend Jon invited me to visit his BNI Chapter breakfast. This was not the first time someone had invited me to a BNI breakfast. What made the difference in my attending this time is who Jon is, a close friend, advisor and male role model. We've gotten to know each other so when he asked me to be his guest I paused to investigate why I was resisting his invitation.
I can remember like it was yesterday.... A three month old business development professional selling websites and video production services. Baptized by fire to learn the craft of selling technology solutions to business in Orange County. I don't even remember who invited me to the local BNI Chapter but all I know is that it was like wakling into a dark, stone cave of a native tribe. I was viewed as the outsider, the roaming networker. Like a bewildered traveler I shook hands with the natives and particpiated in their local customs; I traded business cards with the local membership cheif, sampled the local scrambled egg faire. Once they heard my stories and my offerings they took me into a small room and invited me to run the gauntlet to be in their tribe!
I left that first interaction with a bad taste in my mouth about these referral netowrking groups. So you can imagine my hesitation when my friend Jon invites me to join him on Tuesday morning at 7:30 am in Long Beach. Yet I wasn't going to let knowing that BNI isn't a match for ImageBeam stop me from meeting some eager, dedicated networking professionals.
To summarize my second experience, it was wonderful. To meet business owners, supporting their families, from all walks of life that meet so reguarly and commit to actively create business for one another is remarkable. It's inspiring to see people who all own their own business and pour their hearts and talents into their dreams. For the small business owner or proefssionals who serves small to medium sized businesses, BNI truly is a unique and potent system.
My recommendation: If you are a young graphic and web designer wanting to start your own business, BNI and organizations like it are a potent pool of businesses owners that will lead you to supplemental graphic and web design services through nurtured relationships. While websites, brochures and logo design may not be business critical to these clients, if you're costs & terms are flexible, you could create a healthy stream of business from these groups.
Here are 3 ways you can hit it big with a strong BNI chapter.
1. Offer month to month payment terms. Smaller businesses think of their operating costs in a month to month term versus quarter to quarter. A sample project would be a wordpress customized website, high value for local businesses. $3000 total project, $750 on start up, $750 on completion and the final $1500 paid over 9 - 18 months.
2. Raffle probono logo redesign for members of your BNI chapter.
3. Design a logo or build a website for your BNI chapter
-Edward Kennedy
Business Development Executive
Labels: BNI, business development, networking, sales