Networking is an essential tool for growing a business, especially for professionals looking to expand their reach, connect with like-minded individuals, and foster mutually beneficial relationships. The power of a well-structured networking environment like Business Network International (BNI) cannot be overstated. BNI’s unique structure, focused on “Givers Gain,” provides an excellent platform for business professionals to refer clients, generate leads, and support one another. But what does it take to thrive in such an environment, especially as a new member?

In this blog, we delve into the story of Amanda Moore, a new BNI member who skyrocketed to success within just her first month. Amanda joined her BNI chapter in July and immediately distinguished herself as one of the top five visitor inviters in her region. What sets Amanda apart is not just her ability to invite visitors, but the authenticity and enthusiasm with which she approaches networking. Through her genuine approach to relationship-building, Amanda has demonstrated how the right mindset and strategies can lead to extraordinary results, even for someone new to BNI.

Let’s explore Amanda’s journey and break down the key insights that propelled her to success in such a short time.

Amanda’s Journey to BNI: A New Beginning

Amanda Moore’s entry into the world of BNI was, by her own admission, filled with excitement and a bit of uncertainty. With a background in dog behavioral training, Amanda had recently transitioned into business coaching and consultancy. While the shift in career focus was still fresh, she saw BNI as an opportunity to grow her new business. She officially joined her BNI chapter in July and was immediately committed to learning the ropes.

BNI operates on a referral-based system, where members meet regularly to share leads, collaborate on business opportunities, and invite potential visitors who could benefit from joining the chapter. For new members, it’s common to feel daunted by the prospect of inviting visitors, but Amanda embraced the challenge head-on. In just over a month, she had successfully invited seven visitors to her chapter—an impressive feat for any member, let alone a newcomer.

Chapter 1: The Importance of Enthusiasm and Energy in Networking

One of the key reasons for Amanda’s early success was her genuine enthusiasm and energy. As she began attending her BNI meetings, Amanda’s excitement was palpable. She quickly realized that her passion for networking was contagious, and people were drawn to her positive energy.

Amanda didn’t start out with the mindset that she had to bring visitors; rather, she saw inviting people as an exciting opportunity to introduce them to something valuable. This shift in perspective was crucial. Her enthusiasm made her conversations with potential visitors feel natural and engaging, rather than forced or transactional. In one instance, Amanda recounted how a visitor told her that it was her energy that ultimately convinced him to attend.

Lesson 1: Bring Energy and Authenticity

The first takeaway from Amanda’s journey is the importance of bringing energy and authenticity to every interaction. When networking, people are more likely to respond positively if they feel you genuinely care about their success and that you believe in the value of what you’re offering.

Tip: If you’re nervous about inviting someone to a networking event, focus on how the event could help them. Instead of framing it as a favor, position it as an opportunity for them to connect with potential clients, business partners, or mentors. This reframing allows for a more authentic and less pressured invitation.

Chapter 2: Inviting Visitors: A Multi-Faceted Approach

Amanda didn’t limit herself to one method of inviting visitors. She used a combination of face-to-face invitations, phone calls, and social media outreach. This multi-faceted approach allowed her to connect with people in different ways, depending on the nature of her relationship with them.

• Face-to-Face Invitations: Amanda’s first two visitors were businesswomen she had met at other networking events. Because they had already established a rapport, inviting them to her BNI meeting felt natural and organic. Face-to-face interactions allow for more personal connections and provide an opportunity to convey enthusiasm and authenticity in real-time.
• Phone Calls and Social Media: Amanda also used phone calls and social media, particularly Facebook Messenger, to invite visitors. After watching a podcast featuring BNI founder Ivan Misner and Darren Jamieson, Amanda learned valuable techniques for what she called “cold-calling” through Facebook Messenger. This approach yielded two visitors, demonstrating the effectiveness of leveraging online platforms for professional outreach.

Lesson 2: Use Multiple Channels to Invite Visitors

Amanda’s success shows that a multi-channel approach to inviting visitors can be highly effective. Different people prefer different methods of communication, so being flexible with your outreach strategy allows you to reach a broader audience.

Tip: If face-to-face meetings aren’t possible, consider using video calls, voice notes, or personalized social media messages. The more personal the invitation feels, the better the chances of success.

Chapter 3: Overcoming Pressure and Blocks

While Amanda’s journey was largely one of success, she also encountered a moment where she felt blocked. After receiving recognition as one of the top five visitor inviters in her region, Amanda felt pressure to maintain her high performance. This pressure led her to overthink her approach, which caused her to momentarily feel stuck.

Rather than continuing to operate under the weight of this self-imposed pressure, Amanda took a step back. She realized that her initial success came from a place of authenticity and excitement. By returning to that mindset and focusing on how she could help others, rather than on maintaining her numbers, Amanda was able to overcome the block and continue inviting visitors without stress.

Lesson 3: Avoid Putting Pressure on Yourself

Feeling pressured to maintain high performance can lead to burnout or create blocks in your productivity. Amanda’s experience highlights the importance of focusing on the process rather than the results. When inviting visitors, it’s essential to stay true to your original motivation: helping others succeed.

Tip: If you ever feel stuck or pressured, take a break and reflect on why you joined BNI in the first place. Reconnect with your passion for helping others, and the rest will follow naturally.

Chapter 4: Building Relationships—Not Transactions

One of the biggest mistakes BNI members make when inviting visitors is treating the invite as a transaction. Too often, members ask visitors to attend as a favor or, worse, offer to pay for their attendance. Amanda’s approach was refreshingly different. She focused on building relationships with people and offering them a genuine opportunity to grow their business.

Amanda saw the BNI meetings as a chance for her visitors to connect with potential clients, partners, and referral sources. Instead of asking them to do something for her, she was giving them something valuable. This mindset shift was key to her success, as it framed the invitation as mutually beneficial.

Lesson 4: Focus on Relationship-Building

Networking is not about quick transactions but about building long-lasting relationships. Amanda’s success came from focusing on how she could provide value to others, which in turn, led to reciprocal benefits for her business.

Tip: When inviting visitors, think about how the BNI meeting can help them. Highlight the potential benefits for their business and frame the meeting as an opportunity, not a favor. This approach creates a win-win scenario that fosters trust and collaboration.

Chapter 5: Leveraging Additional Networking Opportunities

Amanda didn’t stop at just attending her weekly BNI meetings. To maximize her networking potential, she made it a goal to attend at least one additional networking meeting each week. This allowed her to meet more people, expand her network, and ultimately invite more visitors to her chapter.

By attending different BNI groups or other networking events, Amanda was able to establish relationships outside of her immediate circle. This broadened her reach and gave her more opportunities to invite visitors who might benefit from joining her BNI chapter.

Lesson 5: Expand Your Network Beyond Your Chapter

To grow your BNI chapter, it’s important to look beyond just the members of your immediate group. By attending other networking events and visiting different BNI chapters, you can expand your network and increase your chances of finding visitors who would be a great fit for your chapter.

Tip: Make it a goal to attend at least one additional networking event or BNI chapter meeting each week. This will help you meet new people, build relationships, and create more opportunities for visitor invites.

Chapter 6: Utilizing Social Media for Cold Outreach

Social media has become an invaluable tool for business professionals, and Amanda used it to great effect in her visitor-inviting strategy. After implementing Darren Jamieson’s techniques for cold outreach through Facebook Messenger, Amanda was able to connect with several potential visitors.

While cold outreach can be challenging, Amanda found that following up with people and keeping the conversation warm led to positive results. She treated the process like a sales funnel—knowing that not everyone would immediately say yes but that maintaining contact would pay off in the long run.

Lesson 6: Be Persistent with Follow-Up

Inviting visitors is not always a one-time conversation. Amanda’s success with social media outreach came from her persistence in following up and keeping in contact with potential visitors. Building relationships takes time, and it’s essential to nurture those connections until they’re ready to attend a meeting.

Tip: When inviting someone to a BNI meeting, don’t be discouraged if they don’t say yes right away. Keep the conversation going and check in with them periodically. They may be interested in attending in the future.

Conclusion: Authentic Networking Leads to Success

Amanda Moore’s journey to becoming a top BNI visitor inviter in just one month is a testament to the power of authentic networking. By bringing energy and enthusiasm to every interaction, using a multi-faceted approach to invitations, and focusing on building long-term relationships, Amanda was able to achieve extraordinary success in a short amount of time.

Her story highlights the importance of staying true to your motivations, avoiding self-imposed pressure, and always keeping the needs of others in mind. Amanda’s approach aligns perfectly with BNI’s “Givers Gain” philosophy, where helping others leads to success for everyone involved.

If you’re a new BNI member or looking to improve your visitor-inviting strategy, take a page out of Amanda’s book. Focus on building authentic connections, use a variety of communication methods, and always offer value to others. By doing so, you’ll not only grow your network but also help others unlock the potential of BNI.

Networking is not about transactions—it’s about relationships. And as Amanda has shown, when you network with authenticity and enthusiasm, the results can be truly remarkable.