Why Join BNI?

Why BNI in South Central Texas

Each member of a BNI Chapter serves as a vital extension of the marketing team for all the members within their chapter. By actively promoting and advocating for one another’s businesses, members work collaboratively to generate high-quality, qualified referrals. This creates a dynamic and mutually supportive network where everyone’s success contributes to the growth and prosperity of the entire group. The goal is simple: to help each member expand their reach, connect with new clients, and achieve sustainable business growth through the power of trusted referrals.

Our Mission

BNI's mission is to help our BNI Members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional referral marketing program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.

BNI's Philosophy

BNI's philosophy is built upon the idea of "Givers Gain^®". BNI offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts, networks and most importantly, business referrals. Being a member of BNI is like having sales people working for you every day who market your product or service.

First Time BNI Visitors

The best way to learn more about BNI is to visit a chapter. You'll see how our members are passing $millions in referral business each year.

And BNI Works...

We are the world's leading business referral organization with over 330,000 Members in over 11,000 BNI Chapters worldwide. In 2023 alone, BNI Members shared over 15.1 million valuable new client referrals and generated over $23.4B (USD) in revenue.

Member referrals have injected billions of dollars of business into the US economy!

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about BNI membership, designed to help you understand how this unique system works and what benefits it can offer you as a professional.

How can I get invited as a visitor to a BNI meeting?

If you know a member of BNI, be sure to ask them if you can visit their chapter. If not, don't worry. You can arrange to visit one of our BNI Chapters. Look at the list of chapters here. Click on the name of the chapter you would like to visit and then click on "Visit This Chapter".

How can I find out more about applying to join BNI?

After your visit to a BNI Chapter, a Visitor Host or other member of the chapter will provide you with a link to complete your application. By visiting a local chapter you will be able to experience the culture and structure of a BNI meeting and also get to know the business people involved in the chapter. If the chapter would be a good fit for your business and your profession is not already represented, you can apply for the seat at the end of meeting.

Where can I get a BNI Membership Application?

Each chapter has a unique application link. Reach out to the Leadership Team in the chapter you visited and they will make sure you get the link for their chapter. If you're having difficulty getting the link, you can let me know at [email protected]

Are we starting new BNI Chapters in South Central Texas?

Some professions (particularly financial advisors, property and casualty insurance, residential realtors and mortgage brokers) may find it difficult to find a chapter or forming group with an opening for their profession or there may not be a local chapter of BNI where you are. To learn how we can help you to start your own BNI Chapter, schedule a 30-minute discovery call with me here.

Can anyone be a member of a BNI chapter?

Only one person per profession is allowed in each chapter. So if your profession is already taken in the chapter you visit, we can help you find a chapter with an opening or help you start your own BNI Chapter in your city. If you're not sure if your profession is already taken, reach out to the Vice President or President of the chapter to check.

How do you know new members are reputable?

When someone submits an application to become a member of a chapter, the application asks for references and an interview is conducted. Each chapter has a Membership Committee comprising of members that are trained to ensire new members are a good fit for the chapter.

What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?

BNI has a Code of Ethics and it's the Membership Committee's job to make sure it's followed. It is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the Membership Committee, who will investigate in a professional manner.

What occupations benefit the most from networking in BNI?

It is not the occupation, it is the individual. Your occupation is not as important as the focus of the individual and if you have a dream and you're willing to take action, you are the person we want in the BNI Chapter.

Are members supposed to bring visitors?

Visitors are a great source of new business for the existing members and could become members what will pass even more referrals. We encourage all members to bring visitors to help promote the BNI Chapter and find more referrals for the BNI Members.

Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in BNI?

BNI understands the importance of the ethical concerns governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can differ by location. As such, BNI therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the professional’s ethical obligations. In the event that BNI’s general policies could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s policies are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics code.

If I specialize in a field within my industry, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my industry?

BNI understands that many industries and professions are broad and that people often specialize. BNI does not expect, nor does it encourage, any person to participate in an area ouside their expertise. In fact, there are some professions that we split into sub-categories, such as Insurance.

My profession does not let me directly solicit business. Is BNI still right for me?

BNI’s primary objective is to assist its members in ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning how they can effectively network. Business people get business when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level with them. BNI provides a forum that allows members to meet other business peers who need to know effective and efficient business people.

Visiting a BNI Chapter is the first step in building your business by referrals.

Once you have visited a chapter that you believe will be a good fit for you, you can apply for membership. This process involves submitting an application and then interviewing with the Membership Committee. Click here for a list of BNI Chapters in South Central Texas and start your journey to a stronger business.

Our BNI Members enjoy continuous business growth.

BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals. There are countless benefits to joining BNI:

Increase Business Prospects: You'll substantially increase your business through referrals.
Professional Development: You'll have access to our exclusive training programs and opportunities to sharpen your presentation and business skills.
Great Networking Opportunities: Your participation in up to 52 networking meetings per year will increase your exposure to many other business professionals in your community.
Exclusive Member Resources: You'll have access to a range of tools and educational materials on networking, public speaking and business best-practices.

What To Expect in a BNI Meeting:

To help you get the most out of your first BNI meeting, here are some things to know before you go:

Be Prepared: When you visit a BNI Chapter be prepared to talk about your business. Members are interested in getting to know how connections with visitors can be mutually beneficial. Also, don't forget to bring your business cards.
Meetings: As a visitor, you can attend a chapter meeting twice. Remember to use this time to get know the chapter personality, and its members, not to promote your business. Meetings are high energy and run according to a structured agenda. They last around 90 minutes with time for additional networking before and after each meeting. Arrive around 15 minutes early so you don't miss out on any opportunities for networking, and be sure to sign in as a visitor.
You're the Expert: Only one person from each professional specialty is allowed to join a chapter of BNI, eliminating the possibility of competition among our members. When you join a chapter, you are the sole representative of your field and can develop relationships with others in the chapter as their go-to person for your services.
Respect Your Craft: The businesses our members represent are their full-time occupations, ensuring they are able to position themselves as resources and experts in their field.