To The Next Level
First BNI Podcast

BNI has entered the world of podcasting thanks to Muskegon, Michigan's Lakeshore Business Professionals chapter.

The Lakeshore Business Professionals BNI Podcast is believed to be the first BNI chapter podcast in the world. It is a weekly show featuring the week's 10 minute presentation, BNI news, tips, upcoming events, plus a plug for another podcast.

The podcast is the brainchild of Lakeshore Business Professionals chapter member, Jason Piasecki. Jason is the President of ImageQuest Design, a Muskegon, Michigan marketing firm.

"My goal with the podcast was to educate our chapter members on this exciting new communications medium," stated Piasecki. "Podcasting is an inexpensive way for BNI members to deliver a targeted message on their business to a global audience.

"Hopefully, I can do my part to help grow our chapter and continue to make it profitable for all our members," he added. "In addition, the podcast allows members who missed the meeting to catch the 10 minute presentation for that week."

Not quite sure what a podcast is? American Dictionary selected "podcast" as the Word of the Year for 2005. They define a podcast as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player." Podcast was added to the newly updated version of the New Oxford American Dictionary in 2006.

What makes a podcast different from any other audio program on the Internet is the distribution channel. Podcasts are syndicated via RSS feeds. Three popular syndication services are Apple's iTunes, Odeo, and Podnova. Think of them as the ABC, CBS and NBC of podcasting. If you search for "BNI" in iTunes you will find the Lakeshore Business Professionals BNI Podcast.

By subscribing to podcasts listeners become their own station manager. They only listen to the shows on subjects they are interested in (like BNI), at a time they chose, where they prefer - on the computer, through an MP3 player (like an iPod), while working out, or driving in the car.

"I would be happy to help any BNI chapter with their own podcast," added Piasecki. "In addition to keeping your members updated, podcasting is an excellent way to build membership. It is a great marketing tool for BNI."

For more information on the Lakeshore Business Professionals BNI, including an episode archive and subscription information, visit www.lakeshorebni.com.

For additional information please contact Jason Piasecki at (231) 780-9778 or e-mail jason@imagequestdesign.com.


To The Next Level
The Path to Powerful BNI Self-Introductions
by Mitchell Friedman, APR

It's said that only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. As a BNI member, you can add a third thing: your self-introduction at every meeting.

Your self-introduction is an invaluable marketing tool. Visitors may only hear that much about your business; members will hear it week after week. Given the importance of these words it's worthwhile to spend time considering the purposes of your introduction; challenges you face in preparing and delivering it; and recommendations for making best use of this precious time.

Your BNI self-introduction has three main purposes:

• To communicate: who you are, the value you offer, what you do, and what a good referral looks like for you.
  
  
• To be memorable: You want to be immediately thought of when a need comes up for the services you provide.
  
  
• Encourage action: Get referrals to prospective customers from members, visitors, and guests to your group.

You'll face three main challenges when preparing and delivering your self-introduction:

• It's short! Thirty seconds - or perhaps a minute (depending on chapter procedures) is not much time to share information about your business.
  
  
• You'll repeat your introduction every week to the same core audience, so there's a risk they'll tune out eventually - even if your introduction is outstanding.
  
  
• You'll take for granted that this core audience understands and appreciates everything that you do and the numerous ways you help your customers.

Here are recommendations for helping you meet these challenges and deliver a self-introduction that has long-lasting impact:

• Develop a core self-introduction that answers the question "Who I am and the value I offer my customers," following this structure:
  
  Begin with statement that captures audience's attention. Example: "You may enjoy eating pretzels, but there's no need for you to look like one. And that's the risk you take when your spine is out of alignment. My name is Jane Doe. As a chiropractor…"
  
  The key points to mention are your name, how you improve your customer's condition, how you are different, what your qualifications are, and then again repeat your name and the name of your business.
  
  
• Develop other introductions focusing on the following themes: a case study discussing how you have helped a specific client or time-sensitive information encouraging members to act, now.
  
  
• Prepare each of your introductions in writing, then practice repeatedly to check timing and flow of information.

About the Author: Mitchell Friedman, APR, helps BNI members and other business professionals transform their self-introductions and other spoken and written communications into masterpieces of clarity that attract business. Contact him at 415-824-1466 or mfctalk@mitchellfriedman.com.