BNI Referral Masters - Online Greater Portland, ME USA

06/17/2026

06/13/2026

06/09/2026

For more referrals, teach Your BNI Chapter HOW to Refer You

Many 60-sec presentations list services rather than a specific referral ask with an example of the value you provide. To gain more and better referrals, you need to educate your BNI colleagues on HOW best to refer you and your services.

Where to start:

• Teach people to CONNECT you, not to SELL you. No one can describe your services as well as you. Your referral partner's job is to connect you to a prospect, not to be your sales rep.

• Make your business value clear. Referring you should make your referral partner look good for helping the prospect with a tricky problem.

• Get as specific as possible on who, industry, role, problem:
• Who exactly do you want to meet/work with? Describe the person in detail, including:
• What industry they're in
• What role they hold
• What problems they have that YOU solve.

When your network understands:
✔ Who you help
✔ What problems you solve
✔ How to introduce you

…referrals become consistent and intentional, and your client base grows.

06/04/2026

06/02/2026

Does networking fill you with dread? 🤝 You aren't alone! The #1 reason people avoid networking is the anxiety of introducing themselves to strangers.

If you get those pre-event jitters, try these 4 simple tips to take the edge off and make a great impression:

• Don't forget your name! It sounds obvious, but people get nervous and forget. Always state your name and your business clearly right at the start. "Hi, I am John, and I operate Gagnon HVAC Services. Good to meet you."

• Find common ground. Look for shared interests, experiences, or mutual connections. It instantly relieves the pressure and gives you both something comfortable to talk about. A easy start is: "How did you learn about this event?"

• Ask genuine questions. People love talking about what they know best—themselves and their business! Let them take the lead, but keep it authentic. Fake questions just to fill the silence are easy to spot. An easy, earnest question: "How long have you been in business?"

• Be memorable. Stand out by sharing a fun quirk about yourself or your business when the timing feels right. Doing this in 1-on-1 conversations is highly effective for building real relationships.

Like anything else, networking is a muscle. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and the more your confidence will grow! 🚀

What’s your go-to icebreaker at networking events? Let us know below! 👇