Welcome
To The
BNI
Launchpad
Resources
It’s Never Been Easier To Launch A New Chapter
“Trust In The BNI Process”
Need Support? No problem.
Thanking for being part of BNI Ontario Southwest. We value all BNI applicants and as such have implemented a full onboarding program to support your success in BNI and launching your chapter.
The infographic above, helps provide an overview of your new chapter startup journey. You are an integral part of building your chapter, but you are never alone.
Launching a BNI Chapter is an exciting and extremely rewarding process. Feel free to reach out to your Chapter Launch Director at any time for support.
Growing your Chapter = Growing your Business
Phone Call & Instant Messaging Scripts
Invite To Introduce.
Start with grabbing a pen and paper and write down the name of 1 member of your team.
When we talk about BNI to other people, and we try to invite someone to a networking event, we may get so passionate that others may feel it’s a little bit too pushy. And then there are times when people explain things WAY too much, making the simple invitation much more complicated than it needs to be.
Instead – try to be a matchmaker
Being a matchmaker is a strategy that works well with inviting specific categories and making introductions to a specific meeting. Instead of asking someone to visit or join a whole group of people, which some might be a little hesitant about, you can ask them if you can introduce them to a specific chapter member.
This can be a very effective method of connecting someone when you may not have a hard referral to a member’s services, or to fulfill an immediate need, but a connection you can make to set someone up for the future. And making that a personal connection can be that seed you plant for the future.
Put the focus on THEM by clearly sharing your genuine intention to connect them to a particular person who is going to benefit THEIR business.
The next step is to have them register for an upcoming meeting. On the day of the meeting, when they arrive, you can take them right over to the member you wanted them to meet and make the personal introduction.
If you want to learn more, feel free to download the PDF document that elaborates on this amazing strategy.
Email Scripts
Inviting someone who you know well, someone you just met, or someone you have never met, can change the trajectory of their business forever. BNI is truly that powerful.
If Email is your preferred form of contact, it’s best to start off with inviting those people who already know, like and trust you. They are more likely to respond to your email, and also more likely to answer your call when you follow up on the initial email.
When looking to invite via email, think of those people you already do business with, and who you like well enough to want to work with on a weekly basis. Perhaps you have a contact that you send regularly send business to but don’t get much business back from – that’s a key person to invite!
They’ll hold you in even higher regards once they come on board and their sales pipeline is getting filled from their BNI Chapter (their sales team).
Feel free to use the scripts below and make them your own using your own touch.
Social Media Scripts
If communication via social media is your preferred method of contact, you’ll find some sample scripting below. As always, feel free to keep the overall structure of the script if you’d like, and swap out the words to make it flow like your own.
If you’d like to look into the sales side of LinkedIn some more (Sales Navigator), feel free to reach out to your Director consultant to work with you on that phenomenal sales tool.
Industry Websites
Replicate results. Not work.
We’ve found the best results for finding quality referral partners is to reach out to people you already work with. Entrepreneurs and business professionals that you know, like, and trust.
Our results show that websites like the ones listed below are a great resource to prospect for your chapter. Done correctly, you’ll build your personal network and quite likely your chapter.
When business owners are paying to be listed on industry sites, it usually indicates they’ve been vetted to a degree and want to network and grow. These are quality potential candidates for your chapter.
Phone/Instant Messaging Scripts
When inviting potential referral partners to your startup meeting, we always recommend picking up the phone to call them. Of 4,267 BNI members that successfully sponsored a new member, 72% said they invited in person, and 13% used the phone.
In some cases an instant message is easier. In that situation, we do recommend using these strategies only for those people that you know fairly well.
Phone Call Scripts
These two scripts have been used with a great level of success.
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Hi [Person’s Name], this is [Your Name] calling. How are you today?
The reason I’m calling is that I’m putting together an exclusive network of successful business owners who believe in helping each other grow their businesses. We are looking for a reliable person who is an expert in XXX field to add to our network. Immediately I thought of you. Are you available on [Date] at [Time] to visit with us?
OR
I am starting an exclusive group consisting of successful entrepreneurs and business owners that believe in helping each other grow our businesses.
When this group is formed, we will have 25+ members generating in excess of $1mil/ year for each other.
Are you available on [Day] at [Time] to come meet the team? There are a few people I’d love to introduce you to.
Text Message Scripts
A recommended strategy for close contacts
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Hi [Friend’s Name],
Hope all is well. I wanted to reach out and invite you to an upcoming BNI Startup Chapter meeting. BNI is a professional networking organization that helps businesses grow through referrals. The local startup chapter is a great opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, exchange ideas and potentially form new business partnerships.
The meeting is on [Date and Time] at [Location]. You’ll have the chance to network, learn about BNI, and hear from guest speakers. I think you’d really benefit from the connections and resources available through BNI.
Let me know if you’re interested, I’d be happy to provide more details.
[Your Name]
Whatsapp Scripts
Are you a heavy Whatsapp user? Here are some sample messages to send to contacts you already know.
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Hi [Friend’s Name],
Hope you’re doing well! I wanted to reach out and invite you to an upcoming BNI Startup Chapter meeting. BNI is a professional networking organization that helps businesses grow through referrals. Our local startup chapter is a great opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and potentially form new business partnerships.
The meeting is on [Date and Time] at [Location]. You’ll have the chance to network, learn about BNI, and hear from guest speakers. I think you’d really benefit from the connections and resources available through BNI.
Let me know if you’re interested, I’d be happy to provide more details.
[Your Name]
Email Scripts
Email Sample 1
Inviting someone you know well.
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Email Sample 2
Inviting someone you’ve met once or twice.
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Subject: Invitation to Upcoming BNI Startup Chapter Meeting
Dear [Person’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to follow up on our recent conversation at [Place or event where you met]. I was impressed by your [Insert a brief comment or compliment about what impressed you about the person].
I’d like to invite you to an upcoming BNI Startup Chapter meeting. BNI (Business Network International) is a professional networking organization that helps businesses grow through referrals. Our local startup chapter is a great opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, exchange ideas and potentially form new business partnerships.
The meeting will be held on [Date and Time] at [Location]. During the meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals, learn about BNI and how it can help grow your business, and hear from guest speakers on various business-related topics.
I believe you would be a valuable addition to our group and would greatly benefit from the connections and resources available through BNI. Please let me know if you are interested in attending, and I would be happy to provide you with more details.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Email Sample 3
Inviting someone you’ve never met.
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Subject: Invitation to Upcoming BNI Startup Chapter Meeting
Dear [Person’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a member of the BNI Startup Chapter. I came across your [Insert a brief explanation of how you found this person, e.g. LinkedIn profile, company website, etc.] and was impressed by [Insert a brief comment or compliment about the person’s background or accomplishments].
I would like to extend an invitation to you for an upcoming BNI Startup Chapter meeting. BNI (Business Network International) is a professional networking organization that helps businesses grow through referrals. Our local startup chapter is a great opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and potentially form new business partnerships.
The meeting will be held on [Date and Time] at [Location]. During the meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals, learn about BNI and how it can help grow your business, and hear from guest speakers on various business-related topics.
I believe your background and expertise would be a valuable addition to our group and that you would greatly benefit from the connections and resources available through BNI. If you are interested in attending, please let me know, and I would be happy to provide you with more details.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Industry Sites
This is an ongoing list to ssist our new members in locating great referral partners to refer to.
Follow the Money!
Our initial thoughts can often be, “I can’t think of anyone!” And that’s OK, we get it.
An exercise we often find beneficial is what we call “Follow Your Money”. Think of the sizeable investments you’ve made over the past day, week, month, or several months.
Do you have:
- Home or Automobile Insurance?
- A Mortgage?
- Have you visited the Chiropractor, RMT, or other Health Practitioner lately?
- Who does your taxes?
- Is your Financial Advisor someone you trust? (We sure hope so!)
- Often looking back at where you’ve spent your money recently can help you think of trusted referral partners. Personally, I spent a bit of money on my haircut this week and also had my car serviced at a local facility, both are businesses that I could invite out to meet my team.
- Work through this exercise, we’re sure you’ll come up with two names.
Positive "AFIRM-ations"
There are appropriately 5,000 BNI Members in Canada, and based on our stats some professions are found in almost every chapter across this Country.
If you have trusted referral partners in the following professions, their BNI Categories are amongst the most sought after.
Invite them out to meet the team, they’ll forever be thankful to you for the opportunity, it could likely change the trajectory of their business.
A – Accountants
F – Financial Advisors
I – Insurance – Life Insurance AND Home/Auto Insurance AND Commercial Ins.
R – Realtor
M – Mortgage Agent
Chamber of Commerce Sites
This is not a templated approach. We know every single business and client is unique. We’ll work with you to explore, research, and understand your business.
Business Coaches
®2024 BNI Alberta South
