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Is joining BNI worth it?
- Sarah Turnbull
- 5 days ago
- 12 min read
When I first joined BNI, I wanted to get my business off the ground and bring in real, paying clients. Let’s be honest, I wanted to make money, develop a steady flow of work and a way to make sure my business would last.
Three and a half years later, I know BNI’s played a big part in that. It’s given me more than just connections. It’s helped me find long-term clients, build a solid reputation, make friends and keep my business moving forward.
But is it right for everyone? Maybe, maybe not. In this blog, I’ll share some of what I’ve learned, what’s worked, what hasn’t… and whether I think joining BNI is worth it.
What is BNI and how does it work?
BNI is short for Business Network International. It’s the world’s biggest networking organisation. There are over 300,000 members worldwide. There are more than 11,000 groups in over 75 countries and it’s built on a simple idea. If you help others grow their businesses, they’ll help you grow yours. This is called Givers Gain and it’s the core principle of BNI.
Every BNI group is called a chapter. It’s a bit Americanised, but that’s where it started. I call mine a group!
It’s made up of local business owners who meet every week (48-50 meetings a year) to share leads, pass referrals and open up chances to do business.
Only one person from each profession can join a chapter. So, as a copywriter, I’m the only one in the group and I don’t have to compete with other copywriters for referrals.
The weekly meetings follow a set structure. We do an elevator pitch (for visitors mainly, so they know what we do); pass referrals and catch up on what’s coming up, announce wins and have a bit of training.
Being in BNI isn’t about just rocking up and hoping for business. There are people – occasionally – that do, but they won’t get the returns.
Going to the meetings and turning up every week is about building relationships, being seen and building credibility. There’s also a little bit of showing off for visitors, as we like to show what and how we help each other! Turning up and being visible, being trustworthy, delivering what you say you’ll deliver can turn into steady work. But you’ve got to put in the effort.
Why I joined BNI
I first heard about BNI from another professional copywriter I knew who’d just visited a group down south. He and I were pretty much at the same stage in our businesses and he called me after his first visit. He was pretty enthusiastic about his experience. Bear in mind this was during Covid and all meetings were online, but he said there was a good buzz and lots of business being passed.
It sounded like the kind of thing that could help get my newish business moving forward. And I liked the sound of referrals being passed!
I reached out to another friend who was already part of a BNI group in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. He invited me to visit and see for myself. I enjoyed it, was impressed with the structure and the amount of referrals being passed. The only problem was they already had a copywriter in the group, so I couldn’t join that one.
I liked what I saw, so I started looking at other local groups. I joined the first one I visited - High Flyers in Leeds – the following week. And haven’t really looked back since.
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know how it worked properly from those two visits – that came after, but I pretty much threw myself in from the word go. Not that I'm competitive, or anything.
How much does BNI cost?
It’s not cheap, so let’s address that elephant in the room first. What’s interesting, though, is BNI not being cheap is actually a good thing…
There’s the joining fee, which is £299 plus VAT. This is a one-off payment to get you started. Then there’s the annual membership fee, which is £960 plus VAT. These fees are reviewed every April, so they can change from year to year. These are the April 2025-2026 charges.
If your group meets in person, there are also weekly meeting costs. This covers things like breakfast and room hire. If your group meets online, you might still need to cover a venue for occasional in-person events or social gatherings. Some groups have no fees at all.
Then there’s your time. BNI meetings are weekly. They run like clockwork. You’ll need to set aside a couple of hours each week, plus some networking and travel time either side.
When you add it all up, it’s a fair investment, so it’s important to work out whether the time and money you put in will pay off.
Why is membership not being cheap a good thing?
When you pay for something, you take it more seriously. It keeps you committed. It pushes you to make the most of the opportunity. You’re more likely to put the effort in when you know you’ve got skin in the game. You’ve got 20 or 30 or 40 people in your group who’ve also paid. You’re all pushing in the same direction. You all want to get your ROI.
If you don’t pay, it can end up being a coffee club as some people aren’t as committed... and then it doesn’t work.
Like to come along for a free visit? Drop me a message and I'll arrange an invitation. You don't have to join!
What are the benefits of BNI?
Joining BNI has given me more than just a list of contacts. It’s helped me build a network and generate steady business.
Building a business network
One of the biggest benefits of BNI is building relationships with people who get what it’s like to run a business. It can be a support structure when things are tough; it can be great for occasional advice and you can use the services of people you know and trust.
In my group, I’m the only copywriter. My fellow members know exactly who to turn to when they come across someone who needs help with website copywriting, blogging or other writing needs. I’m not competing with a dozen others for the same referrals.
I’ve built friendships and trusted relationships. There are members I can call on for advice, support, or even just a pair of ears when I want a whinge! I’ve got a group of people who’ve got my back.
Business growth
BNI’s structure means I stay top of mind for my fellow members. Every week, I get the chance to remind them what I do, who I help and the kind of clients I’m looking for.
It’s paid off. Some great clients have come through BNI. Business that’s turned into regular, long-term work and clients who refer me to others. It’s not always been instant, but I’ve put a lot of effort in and got work back out
What are the challenges of BNI?
BNI has its benefits, but it’s not all plain sailing. Here are some of the challenges I’ve faced along the way… one or two of my own making.
Time commitment
BNI is (and should be) a big time commitment. It’s not just the weekly meetings – there are 1-2-1s, follow-ups, and the prep that goes into each meeting.
Here’s where it can catch you out:
When I first joined, I just opened my calendar to all members to get 1-2-1s booked in. I had so many meetings, I didn’t get any work done! Rookie error. I now allow a few hours a day only for meetings. When I’ve reached my maximum quota of meetings for the week, I set the rest of the week as ‘busy’ so no one can book anything else in. I generally do one 1-2-1s a week.
Weekly meetings. This is a regular slot in the diary, plus travel time if you’re meeting in person. Being realistic, you need to set 3-4 hours aside.
Leadership roles. These can be even more demanding on time, pulling you into planning, coaching and group growth. I found myself spending more time trying to help the group succeed than running my own business at one point. It was my fault, but a lesson learned!
Ongoing involvement – supporting other members, passing referrals, and staying engaged can take up more time than you might expect. You should really factor in a half day a week… that’s half day on your business, not in it.
Quantity over quality referrals
There’s a lot of focus on passing referrals. There should be. It’s great in theory, but it can lead to a few problems:
Pressure to perform. Members must bring a contribution each week (a referral, visitor or testimonial). This can lead to rushed or less meaningful referrals.
Inconsistent quality. Not all referrals are warm or well-targeted. It can be frustrating and time-consuming to follow up leads that go nowhere or are poorly prepared.
Wasted time. Occasionally you get referrals that are more like cold leads than genuine opportunities.
ROI and financial commitment
As I’ve already said, BNI isn’t cheap. You need to make sure you’re getting a good return. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Membership and meeting costs – it adds up quickly, so you need to see real business coming in to justify the expense
Time is money – if you’re not getting solid leads, the hours you put in can feel like a sunk cost
Finding the balance – you have to strike the right balance between giving and getting – too much time supporting others, and your own business can suffer
Like to come along and see how it works? Come for a free meeting and bring your business cards!
Is BNI right for every business?
Honestly? No, it’s not. BNI can be amazing for some businesses, but it’s not right for everyone.
Types of businesses that thrive in BNI:
BNI tends to work well for:
B2B service providers – businesses that sell directly to other businesses, like accountants, IT providers, graphic designers and consultants
Trades – builders, plumbers, electricians and other hands-on professionals who rely on word-of-mouth and personal recommendations
Business coaches and advisors – people who benefit from building long-term relationships and trust with their clients
Professional services – like solicitors, financial planners and mortgage brokers, who can build strong local connections
When BNI might not be the best fit:
BNI might not be right for you if:
You’re selling high-ticket items with a long sales cycle – it can be hard to generate quick referrals for big investments
Your target market is outside the local area – if your clients are spread across the country or even globally, you might struggle to find the right connections
You rely on a high volume of small, low-margin sales – it’s harder to make the numbers add up if each sale isn’t worth much
You’re too busy to commit – if you can’t make the weekly meetings or find time for 1-2-1s, you won’t get much out of it
How to work out if BNI is right for your business
Before you join, ask yourself:
Who are my perfect clients, and will I find connections to them in this group?
Can I commit to weekly meetings and regular 1-2-1s?
Do I have the time to invest in building long-term relationships?
Will the financial and time commitment make sense for my business?
Am I prepared to give as well as get?
BNI can be a fantastic source of business and support, but only if you’re willing to put the time in. It’s about building relationships, not just picking up leads.
How to get the most out of BNI
BNI can be a great source of business, but you have to put the effort in. Here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your membership:
Pick the right group
Don’t just join the first chapter you come across. Take the time to visit a few groups and see which one feels like the right fit
It’s not just about the size of the group – make sure it has the right mix of businesses that can actually pass you relevant referrals
Think about who your perfect clients are, and whether members in that group have access to them
Educate, don’t sell
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to sell to the group. Your goal is to educate your fellow members, so they know how to sell your services to their contacts. No one really told me this before I joined, but it's really good advice!
Focus on the problems you solve and the kind of clients you’re looking for, rather than pushing for direct sales
Give them the stories and examples of how you’ve helped people (and the benefit they experienced) so they can recommend you
Make time for 1-2-1s
This is where the real connections are built. 1-2-1s are the chance to deep dive into each other’s businesses and get educated on the benefits of their service so you can refer them with confidence (benefits sell, people!)
You don’t need to understand what they do and how they do it. Stick to high-level benefits. You don’t need to know that the flooglebinder’s specification is x,y,z. If the flooglebinder saves money, that’s what you should be talking about!
Use 1-2-1s to learn about the person and their hobbies, because you can use this to connect people and make them feel more approachable, especially if hobbies align
Have 1-2-1s with your ‘power team’ first – the ones you’ll give and receive most referrals to/from. Don’t do what I did and think you’ll just work through the members alphabetically (until a more experienced member told me not to be daft!) It’s a better use of time and likely to result in quicker referrals
Be consistent
Show up every week, follow up on referrals and keep your message clear. Consistency is key if you want to stay at the front of peoples’ minds
Be patient – it can take a while for the work to start coming in, but it should do if you stick with it! It does depend on what type of service offering you have, but building relationships is key
Like to know more about my experience? Book a free 30-minute Zoom and I’ll fill you in on BNI!
So, is BNI worth it?
Three and a half years in, I’m still here. I’ve even started stashing money away in an account for my renewal in October, so that probably says it all – it’s been worth it for me.
It hasn’t always been easy. There have been a few ups and downs. A few times I’ve felt frustrated by the lack of referrals – but that’s because at one point I was focusing more on running the group than running my business. Getting back to basics, getting 1-2-1s in and learning about other members’ businesses brought things back on track.
BNI has played a big part in building my business. so yes, for me, BNI is worth it.
Would I recommend it?
Yes - but not to everyone. BNI tends to work best for B2B businesses, trades and professional services. These are the types of businesses that rely on trust and long-term relationships. If you’re in one of these industries, it’s definitely worth considering. But you’ve got to be prepared to put the time and effort in!
Unfortunately, there are always groups that have passengers, who’ll take more than they give. Always. But you get to know who they are and how you choose to interact with them becomes your choice. Personally, I don’t. I focus on those that bring business and share it across other group members. I work harder to find them business than I would for a passenger. Sorry, not sorry.
What are the ‘elephants in the room?’
There are two or three perceived ‘negatives’ you might hear about BNI – the cost, the structure and visitors feeling ‘pressurised’ to join.
The cost:
Yes, it’s nearly £1000 plus VAT a year for membership. But you’re in a group of others who’ve also paid that and they want to get a good ROI. The vast majority of people put a lot of effort in (and if they don’t, they’re a bit foolish). It works out as just over £22 a week for membership. Could you get a sales team of 20 or 30 or 40 people for that money anywhere else? (Spoiler: No!).
The group structure/personal commitment:
Then there’s the format. It’s structured. You have to show up every week. You’ve got to bring something to the table every week – a referral, a testimonial or a visitor. It can feel like a lot of pressure, but it also gets you into the right mindset. If you’re regularly talking to other members, doing 1-2-1s and thinking about how to help them, you’ll usually find you have something to share.
If you’ve got a team and you’re onboarding a new client, ask or get your team to ask questions about their business. It might feel a bit weird, but get their insurance renewal dates (definitely easier if you’re in a financial services provider role), find out if they have a Will; find out if they go on fancy holidays or if they’ve got school age kids…
Tell them you have this great network and can you refer them to see if your insurance broker can save them money when the time is right? Can you connect them with your HR consultant to keep them compliant with HR law, so they can sleep better at night? #simples
In the end, you get out what you put in. If you’re willing to show up, get involved, and keep building relationships, you’ll get the referrals to pass. It becomes second nature without being pushy.
Yes, it’s a commitment. It’s time for the meeting and more time for 1-2-1s and a bit of training outside of that.
The perception visitors will be pressured into joining:
Hisptorically, BNI had a bit of a bad rep for this. But visitors aren’t forced or pressurised to join. Members love to make new connections – and they pass business too. One visitor to our group about two years ago ended up being connected with a client and the visitor ended up getting a deal of nearly £100k as a result! There was an opportunity there, it was passed irrespective of whether he was a member.
Admittedly he did join a BNI group near his place of work (clearly he saw the benefit of BNI in action!), but he wasn’t forced into it.
We have visitors who pass and receive business and don’t join. And that’s fine. If they get business from someone in the group, they’re going to have had a positive experience and maybe want to get business back into the group. Givers Gain!
Drop me a message to come for a visit. We love having visitors - it can either be in the room in Leeds LS16* or you can join free on Zoom! Come along, see for yourself if you think BNI is worth it!
*£15 meeting fee applies. Includes breakfast, car parking and refreshments!
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