The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 110: “Ask for Written Testimonials”

June 24th, 2009

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

Phenomenal reviews can convince you to go to an out-of-the-way restaurant. Written testimonials can do the same thing for your business. Consumers trust testimonials from other people more than they do your own marketing materials.

BNI members can use written testimonials in several ways.

  • Place written testimonials on your website.
  • If your business attracts walk-in clients, display your written testimonials in a binder in your reception area. If you’re a salesperson, take a binder with testimonials with you when you call on prospects.
  • Include testimonials and endorsements with your business proposals. Match the testimonial to the service you’re providing or the industry your prospect is in.

Using testimonials builds your credibility. Start by getting members of your BNI chapter to write testimonials for you. One place people can write testimonials for you is on Yelp.com.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: Referrals
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 5 Comments

Back to top

Episode 109: “The Way Out: How to Beat the Recession”

June 17th, 2009

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

Dr. Misner wants to talk about the article he contributed to the recently published e-book The Way Out! Steer Clear of the Recession and Drive Toward Success and Prosperity. (If you download the e-book, please leave a comment here about what you’ve read and what you liked about it.)

Dr. Misner’s article is on page 49; it’s called “Networking Mixers: Break the Ice, Build Your Contacts, and Grow Your Business.” Next time you’re at a mixer, take a look at the way people stand.

If people are standing in closed groups, face to face, they’re not inviting you to join them. You can ignore them until they’re finished with their conversation.

But if people are standing at an angle to each other, with space between them, there’s an opening for someone to come into that group. Those are the people you can go up and talk to.

Also, look for the people who are wearing badges, especially if the badge mentions what business they’re in. That makes it easier to strike up a conversation.

Download the e-book and leave a comment here on the blog.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: Networking | Success | The Economy
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 7 Comments

Back to top

Episode 108: “Quantum Chapter Growth”

June 10th, 2009

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

This week, Dr. Misner wants to talk about the Fast Track program put together by Mark Taylor, Executive Director for the Houston East and South East Texas Area in conjunction with Del Fuego publishing. The program is based around the BNI Networking Secrets CDs that Del Fuego produced for Dr. Misner.

Everyone in the chapter buys the CDs and uses them like the required text for a college course. This ensures that everyone understands the fundamentals and works together. The result is 300% chapter growth.

Part of the program involves a live training session led by Ivan Misner on webcam.

If you’d like to see your chapter do the Fast Track Program, Dr. Misner will be happy to join you by webcam. To get started e-mail bnifastrack [at] delfuego [dot] com. (Just substitute the appropriate symbols for the words in brackets so it looks like a normal e-mail address. It’s written that way to prevent spammers from assaulting them with junk.)

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: BNI Meeting | Special Guests
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 6 Comments

Back to top

Episode 107: “Networking Faux Pas”

June 3rd, 2009

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

Dr. Misner shares three networking faux pas that he’s run into over the years.

  1. Not responding quickly to referral partners. Don’t put off returning phone calls to your referral partners even if you’re not sure they have a referral for you.
  2. Confusing networking with direct selling. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards and then sending them sales pitches or making cold calls.
  3. Abusing the relationship. The worst example Dr. Misner is aware of is someone who disguised a sales pitch as a 50th birthday party.

Read Dr. Misner’s complete article on Entrepreneur.com.

What kind of networking faux pas have you encountered? (No names, please!)

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: Networking
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 5 Comments

Back to top

Read Dr. Ivan Misner's Bio

Podcast Email Alerts

Sign up to receive weekly announcements of upcoming podcast topics.

constant contact button

Subscribe Here

Subscribe for free to the The Official BNI Podcast Feed, sponsored by NetworkingNow.com.

Learn How To Subscribe Free

Subscribe with iTunes

Subscribe to this Podcast with SlapDashRadio.

Categories

Past Episodes

Ivan Misner on Twitter

BNI Products

Home | Contact
Back to top

The Official BNI Podcast is produced by Live Oak Studio, a BNI Member, in conjuction with the Podcast Asylum.

Copyright © 2012 BNI. All Rights Reserved. | Visit BNI.com
Legal Notices | Privacy Policy