How to Find the Right Leads Group For You

Networking often begins with a single point of common ground to broaden your circle of professional business relationships. This helps form new opportunities to expand your network. If you've been attending industry-specific networking events, you're likely networking with your competitors. A more focused and effective networking option is a leads group. Finding the right one will help you grow your business. Here are some tips to help you get started finding a leads group that works for you.

What is a Leads Group?

A leads group is an exclusive, membership-based business networking group designed for members to give and receive lead generating referrals. Membership is limited to one spot per industry or category, and they aren't open to the public. You can expect to pay a membership fee, and members are expected to participate fully in the referral process. Depending on the organization, it may be a single group like a local chamber of commerce or many groups across several locations.

Leads groups prioritize building referral relationships, and meetings are designed to provide every member with the opportunity to network and share information about their profession or business with other members. Some groups have required referral quotas expected of every member to ensure that everyone sees results in leads and business growth.

How to Find Leads Groups in Your Area

A simple search on the internet will provide you with a list of leads groups in your local area. If you are having trouble determining which groups to join, this will help you see what's available in your area or online. Many of the groups will have their members listed so you can get a feel for whether that particular group would be beneficial for you to join.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Leads Group

1. The group includes members in business categories that are likely to refer customers to your industry. Some programs allow you to visit a small number of groups before deciding to commit to a certain one.
   
   
2. Find leads groups that host "open house'' events so you can get a feel for the dynamics of the members. Is the group actively having meaningful conversations, or are there frequent lulls in conversation? If there aren't many conversations happening, this might not be the group for you.
   
   
3. Time and location of the meetings and how it works into your schedule. It's common for groups to have attendance requirements to retain your spot in the group. If you aren't able to commit, they may revoke your membership.
   
   
4. The age and size of the group can tell you a lot. If the group is fairly small, that may indicate a newly established group with opportunity. On the other hand, groups that have been around for a while but are small may mean that they have some internal issues.
   
   

4BR Leads Groups

4BR is an organization of dedicated professionals across dozens of locations that work together to create robust and sustainable referral networks. Our leads groups are industry-exclusive, meaning that each member in a group comes from a different industry, and no two members compete with one another for leads. Learn more about the benefits of joining 4BR and check out 4BR group locations to find a leads group near you.