How to Grow a Networking Chapter: Guests, Visitor Days and Open Seats
Practical ways to bring more guests to a referral networking chapter and turn them into members, starting with the categories the chapter needs most.
Updated Saturday, October 3
A chapter grows one seat at a time. The fastest-growing chapters are deliberate about which seats to fill, make visiting easy, and follow up with every guest.
Know which categories you need
List the business categories your chapter doesn't have yet, then pick the five that would send the most business to current members. A chapter full of home-service businesses needs a realtor; a chapter of advisors needs an accountant and an attorney. Share that short list with members and put it on your website.
Every member invites
Ask each member to bring one guest a quarter. Make it easy: a short invite link, the meeting details, and a reason to come. Credit members when their guest joins, through points, recognition or both.
Run a visitor day
Once or twice a year, plan a meeting around guests: a speaker who teaches something useful, extra time for introductions, and a clear way to apply afterwards.
Make the first visit great
- Greet guests by name at the door
- Seat them next to members who refer in their industry
- Let them introduce themselves and say what they're looking for
- Show them the numbers: referrals passed and business closed
Follow up within a day
A short message thanking them for coming, with the next meeting date and how to apply, turns more visitors into members than anything said in the room.
Show your chapter online
A chapter website with your meeting, member businesses, open categories and real thank-yous from members answers a guest's questions before they ask. See how to start a referral networking group.
Questions
How many guests should a chapter aim for?
One or two guests a week keeps a chapter growing. Track how many visit and how many apply, so you can see what's working.
What if a guest's category is taken?
Thank them, and suggest a nearby chapter where the seat is open. Referral networks work best when chapters help each other.