JandS - Anything wrong with the masons?
Not one myself but know lots who are.
Barry - have I been "sucked in" if I am making good money from it?
BNI is a system which will work if you follow it but wont if you aren't prepared to work it.
It is all about building relationships with other members so they know and trust you well enough to put their reputation in your hands by referring you to their contacts.
Didn't get much for 6 months, but could see the benefits. Now reaping the rewards. If you are in it for a quick buck dont waste your time or money. If you want a stable base of repeat high value customers then give it a go.
Like many of the replies have said, horses for courses. Dont knock it till you've tried it but its not for everyone. You dont need to be pushy, just capable of presenting your business to a possible 30, 000 potential clients every week! My meeting yesterday - 4 jobs worth £600 all booked in today. Not bad for £20 investment.
3 years in i have a great network of businesses from very diverse backgrounds who refer clients I would never be able to reach with any other for of advertising. I also have clients who never pick up YP they call me because they know they can trust my network. As a result I get loads more referrals from these customers for my own business too cos they are always thinking about me.