Who Should You Invite to Your Networking Group
Alyson Roach
“Passionate Networker | Leading BNI Hampshire & Isle of Wight to Foster Business Growth and Collaboration”
Inviting people to your networking group is a key step toward expanding opportunities for both yourself and the group. But not every invite is created equal. To really maximise the benefit of growing the group, it’s essential to invite the right people—those who will add value, engage with others, and share your group’s commitment to collaboration.
Identifying ideal guests isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s about ensuring that the people you bring in will enhance the group dynamic, create more meaningful connections, and help the network thrive. Here’s how to identify and invite the right people.
What Makes an Ideal Guest?
An ideal guest is someone who understands the value of relationships and referrals in business. They’re not just in it for a quick sale—they’re looking to build long-term, mutually beneficial connections. These are people who know that success in business often comes from who you know, not just what you know.
Some qualities of an ideal guest include:
– Commitment to relationships: They are willing to invest time in nurturing business relationships, understanding that trust is key to referrals.
– Reputation for quality: They offer high-quality products or services and have a reputation for professionalism and reliability.
– Genuine interest in others: They actively engage with others, show a willingness to listen, and look for ways to add value.
– A collaborative mindset: They see the benefits of working together and understand that a referral group is about giving as much as receiving.
These traits are what make someone a valuable addition to any networking group. Their presence enriches the group and creates more opportunities for everyone.
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We all prefer givers over takers!
Assessing Potential Guests
Once you’ve identified a potential guest, it’s important to consider whether they’ll be a good fit for the group. Some questions to ask yourself:
– Do they have a positive reputation? You want to invite someone who others will trust and want to do business with.
– Are they active in their business? A guest who is actively growing their business is more likely to engage in the group and make meaningful contributions.
– Will they add value? This isn’t just about what they can offer you—it’s about what they can bring to the entire group. Are they willing to refer others? Will they share knowledge and expertise?
It’s about making sure the group stays focused on quality over quantity. Inviting the right guests ensures that the group remains strong and valuable for all members.
When the takers take over, there is no reason to be there!
I have one or two other thoughts on inviting but I guess I will share those tomorrow. I have people to invite to my next meeting. How about you?
Helping your ideal clients find you, by making you the AUTHORITY in your industry | #1 Ranking Podcaster ??? | TEDx Speaker ?? | Liverpool Comedy Festival Winner ?? | #1 Ranking Author ??
2 个月Love this. We all know the sorts of people who don’t add value and don’t get it. They visit multiple different groups, they never join and they book follow up 121s and calls with the members and visitors just so they can sell their services. They may as well be carrying rifles and driving jeeps with “poacher” written on the side of them.
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2 个月Great advice, thanks Alyson! #bniwarrington