I recently joined BNI, a business networking organisation that specialises in what is known as referral marketing.
I’m in a group with a whole load of other business owners and professionals who meet each week with the aim of making each other more successful.
So far, so dull. What does that mean for you?
What that means is that I have a lot of contacts. Not just the people in my group but the people in other BNI groups (there are literally thousands all over the world).
And what that means for anybody reading this is that if you need someone to do any kind of work, whether a tradesman or a white collar professional, then you can ask me and chances are I will know someone who can help you.
Need a solicitor who specialises in wills and power of attorney? Sarah of Oliver and Co is amazing.
Need any kind of painting and decorating doing, whether it’s an entire estate or your backroom wall? Stephen of SES Painters and Decorators is so good he’s been made a freeman of Chester (true).
Need any kind of insurance? Paul of Paul Murray Insurance Solutions will go more than the extra mile to make sure you get the best deal.
I could go on all day, but you get the picture.
The question you are undoubtedly asking yourself at this moment is the same one I would be, if I were reading this rather than writing it.
How do I know I can trust them?
The answer to that is simple. These people are in the business group because the other people in that group are happy to repeatedly recommend them. It is worth their while staying in the group (one member has been in BNI for 10 years) because they get business from it. If they didn’t do their job properly, people would stop recommending them and they wouldn’t get work from it. It really is as simple as that.
One last thing. Although I really do want to help you, I won’t pretend I’m doing this solely out of the goodness of my heart. The more I introduce the contacts I have to friends, family and colleagues, the more they are likely to recommend me to their friends, family and colleagues.
So by asking me to help you, you are helping me.
So please, ask me. I’m here to help.