Week 4 of the Social Butterfly Effect challenge, which means we’re already halfway through!  How are you doing so far?  Are you keeping up with our challenge of two reviews or recommendations a week?  Hope so!

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked about how best to succeed in this challenge, and the answers to those questions:

1)  How do I get one of those delicious-looking Sugar Baker cookies that come around each week?   That’s easy!  Just take 5 minutes to write a review of someone’s services, or recommend someone’s business to your friends, or suggest to your friends that they “like” someone’s Business page (Facebook only).  This can be done on one of our 3 chosen social media outlets (Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google Plus), or you can write something down on a piece of paper and turn it in to me at the meeting, or you can just email me something.  Two of these each week earns you a cookie — and believe me, they ARE delicious!

2)  What if I am a new member and haven’t used anyone’s services on the weekly list?  Well, have you had any 1-2-1’s?  Heard something good about someone from another member?  Like being in BNI?  Any of these is a great basis for a referral or recommendation, even if you have not used someone’s services — in fact, don’t write a review based on services that you have not used!  If you just can’t come up with something from the weekly list, go back and choose someone from past weeks that you may have missed.  Finally, remember that you can always write something nice about the chapter itself, and that would help everyone!

3)  I just don’t feel comfortable writing recommendations, so what should I do?  Remember, you don’t have to write “War And Peace” when it comes to a review or recommendation.  Short and simple works best, and gets your point across quickly.  Why not try this:

“I belong to the Business Power Network chapter of BNI with    (person’s name) of (business name)   .  Even though I have not had the opportunity yet to use their services, I have gotten to know     (the person)     well, and he/she is nice/caring/wonderful/whatever.  He/she always gets glowing testimonials from the other chapter members, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them/their business, and I know I will be using them the first chance I get!”

Or:

“I recently joined the Business Power Network chapter of BNI, and I can already tell that this will be of great benefit to my business!  Our chapter has passed over $7 million in closed business this year, and the members are very committed to helping one another.  I look forward to being a part of this chapter for years to come!  (And, if writing this anywhere other than on the BPN Facebook page, be sure to include this:)  Please take a moment to “Like” the BPN Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bni.businesspowernetwork.”

Hopefully these answers will help you in your weekly quest to Earn That Cookie!  Feel free to copy and paste. 😉 And, if you’ve lost your notes on the how-to part, you can find the original flyer here.

Finally, as we are halfway through, I thought I’d go back and recap all the businesses we have featured so far.  Look over this list to see if there is someone you missed that you’d really like to help out.  Remember, the “two reviews” doesn’t have to be from this week’s list, or even from the list so far — the lists are just an easy way to help you practice Givers Gain!

That’s it for this update. Now, go out there, flap those butterfly wings, and start up a storm of business for your fellow members!