Why you should check out your local BNI

This episode of the Boosu podcast is sponsored by xivu. Zivu is the direct booking revolution. They have got PMS Channel Manager. They've got a fantastic service that I recommend that everybody check out. I've known Naim, who's the founder of xivu for a long time now and I've told him since day one, listen, Naim, just crack one thing, get really good at one thing and focus on that. He goes, no, I'm going to do everything. So not only do they have properties, they property management, they do a PMS channel manager, they've got an academy, they do everything. And also as well they now integrate with Google Hotel ads, which is really exciting because Google Hotel ads is going to be a very key area of your marketing in 2021. So if you haven't already, go to boostly b o-o s t-l y.co.uk explore e x p L O R E. That'll take you to a landing page where you can find out a little bit more about Xevu and how they are revelation revolutionizing the direct booking journey. And you can also book a call in and have a chat with them to see if they will be the right PMS for you. I'm also excited to say that XIVU and Boostly websites have now combined together. We have, they and us have come together, We've linked our APIs and it just means that you're direct booking WordPress website with Boostly is now straight connected into Xevu so the guest doesn't have to leave the website to create and complete the booking, which is a game changer. I cannot tell you how much of this is a game changer. It's going to save time. It means that everything will be so smooth and it just knocks out any traction in the guest booking process. So please do go check out Booster Codk Explore and if you want to go check out boostly websites, boostly website.com okay everybody, are you ready for today's episode? It's going to be a good one. Leave a hashtag live in the comments if you're watching with us. Leave a hashtag replay if you're watching on the replay with us. And also as well let us know where you're tuning in from in the world. If you're on the audio, if you're listening in the car or walking the dog, then just literally pick up the phone, send me an Instagram message and let me know where you are watching or tuning in from this. So uk, thank you so much let's get on with today's show. Okay. Welcome back to another episode of the Boostie Podcast. My name is Mark Simmerson. I hope you're doing well. I give hosts just like you the tools, the tactics, the training and the confidence to get more direct bookings. And today I wanted to talk about your local business network institution. I know it as bni. This is a worldwide organization and they host weekly meetups. Now, what has this got to do with direct bookings? Well, if you're thinking about it, people that go to here are from your local community, they're all business owners and they are looking to network. The. The misconception is that it's a stuffy meeting. You get your breakfast, you sit around talking nonsense, and then you go off and do your day. Now, if you look at it like that, you will never get the full benefit from it. I know so many hosts that utilize a local BNI and they get so many contractor bookings or business bookings on the back of it. Why? Number one, one of the main rules when you go to these BNI organizations when you sign up, is that there's a no competition clause in the agreement. So what that means is that if you are a hospitality owner, there can be no other hospitality owner around the table. So you are literally representing your industry at this meeting. At this meeting, you're going to have people ranging from startups to established businesses, and they will have contractors, they will have workers, they will have buddies traveling in from out of town, need an accommodation when they come to the local area. So by you literally being at the table, you have a face, you have a recommendation right there. And the cool thing about this meeting is that everybody gets to stand up and have a little pitch. You can talk about what you've been working on, talk about what you're doing, X, Y and Z. And so at that, you can, you know, every week explain who you are, what you do, and you know what you're looking for. And because you start showing up to these regularly now, you can do it for a month, you can do it for two months, three months, a year, you can do it consistently. It's totally up to you. But what has really worked over the last year with obviously the pandemic, is that these meetings have gone virtual. So you don't have to, for example, get up at 6am, go and do it and then come back for breakfast, etc. You can do it in your pajamas still. And it's been something that has worked really well. I know people that have forged big relationships, big contract business relationships on the back of these. The cost is low. It's a great way to meet people. It's a great way to get confident about talking as well. You know, being in a room showcasing your business, it's a fantastic opportunity. When I first started Boostly, I joined my local BNI and it was really, really good for me. I got at least two one on one contracts when I first started Boostly from being in that room and there was a partnership that was struck up because of it as well. So I can 100% recommend it. I'm actually surprised that more people don't do this. It's just one of those things that I've done for so many years and you just think that everybody else is doing it, but it's not only until you start talking about it that you realize people don't. So go and check it out. Go check out your local BNI and you may be lucky. There may be a know of a hospitality owner doing it or accommodation provider owner doing it. You could be the first. Go in and just be open, be friendly, be outgoing and good things will happen. So a quick one. As always, I like to keep these short. I want to make sure that you get all the tactics and the tips that you need. Go be awesome, Go be proactive and I shall see you very, very soon for another episode of the Boosted Podcast. If this is your first time tuning in, please do go and subscribe and like and check out everything else@boostly.co.uk podcast. There's over 200 episodes for you to get caught upon. Thank you very much and I shall speak to you very soon.