Masterminds Online: How to Scale Your Network
If you’re going to start an online mastermind group, networking is an obvious “selling point.”
Any group where membership costs as much as a car payment, and commitment is higher than average, attracts high-caliber entrepreneurs. It seems so simple … and it is! As long as you know what to do with it once you start it.
The problem of being in the mastermind business gets tricky, if you’ve never joined a group before. One thing that worked in my favor was I’d been in business masterminds with Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Ken Abraham and others for years.
I had a model to follow. Now, you might be reading this and think, “Big A! I’m in a mastermind.” Hey, if the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn’t, send this on to someone who needs to read it. But I’m reaching out to people who want to start their own group, or already have one.
You may have heard me say, “Success is a marathon, not a sprint.” Would you believe that just this year, 2020, is the first time in 40 years of marriage and business that I took two straight weeks of vacation? That’s not just because I’m a recovering workaholic. It’s also because the mastermind business is a marathon!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the demands of running 19 groups. I have a lot of help, and I’ve never been happier. I’ve also never lasted this long in any one kind of business. Running Iron Sharpens Iron is a dream job for me … I don’t ever want to retire again!
But just so you know, your journey to leading a group can be a lot smoother if you already belong to one. That’s why I’m using this occasion to invite you to join one of our groups, since we have a new one opening and a few vacancies.
Click here to apply to be in one of our men’s mastermind groups.
Click here to apply to join our newest women’s mastermind group.
Why Do I Have To Join A Mastermind To Be Able to Lead One?
Hey, nobody said you “had” to do anything! Some day way back in history, somebody started the first mastermind group without first belonging to one. We don’t know when or where it was, we don’t need to know. Anything can happen, and you might not need this at all.
But I’m going to tell you a familiar story from a slightly different angle. If you’ve heard this one before, whisper under your breath so you don’t spoil it for anybody else.
(Pssst - I was just kidding - I know nobody else reading this can actually hear you.)
When I retired for the third and final time (so I could start working again) I was “done” with work. I had this fantasy in my head of finding a tropical beach somewhere and sitting fat and happy for my remaining years.
Dan Miller and Dave Ramsey weren’t interested in my idea at all, and they said, “Big A, that’s the most selfish thing we’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.” I was a little surprised, but then Dan said, “You need to coach.”
One thing led to another after that. Dave gave me the gift of EntreLeadership, where I picked up my first two coaching clients. Word spread quickly about how those men began to improve, and before too long, I was in the mastermind business.
So … if YOU have the confidence to start a mastermind from scratch … you could make a great addition to Iron Sharpens Iron. We have several members who also want to start their own groups, who could benefit from your knowledge and expertise.
I think it’s safe to say, at the age of 60 and retired three times, this is a “passion business” for me. I don’t do it because I need the money. I do it because, deep inside, I’d wanted to impact other people my whole life. I would continue doing some version of this, even if there were no way to get paid to do it.
I would also continue to be a member and participate in masterminds, as I’ve done throughout my time leading them. So even if you’re an expert … we’d like to talk and see if you’d make a good part of Iron Sharpens Iron.
Click here to apply to be in one of our men’s mastermind groups.
Click here to apply to join our newest women’s mastermind group.
How Members of Masterminds Can Build Their Networks
These are on the house! They’re my top 10 go-to activities to get the ball rolling in a mastermind, to build multiple relationships and fast-track your networking to greater success.
Not only can you use these for yourself, but if you’ve already started a group, they make handy tools to pass out to members.
- Reach out to each individual member and schedule a one-on-one
- Interview members for your podcast or YouTube channel
- Provide leadership in a forum, by teaching on a subject
- Introduce members who don’t currently know each other
- Serve on a leadership committee
- Volunteer to facilitate a group or breakout session
- Arrange to meet with members in different cities / countries when you travel
- Share valuable resources, products or services in the private members’ area
- Support members’ charity activities by donating time, talent or treasure
- Support other members by writing positive reviews of them or their companies
Don’t be shy to use these and other activities in the culture of your mastermind. Your members will learn them best when you model them, and teach others how to use them.
And if you’re looking for your own personal and professional growth, in an environment of transparency, authenticity and vulnerability - consider joining us in Iron Sharpens Iron.
Click here to apply to be in one of our men’s mastermind groups.
Click here to apply to join our newest women’s mastermind group.
