subject: Who Are You Going To Recruit To Your Mastermind Group? [print this page] Let's face it most mastermind groups fail because they are made up of the wrong people who join for the wrong reasons. Or the person with the brilliant idea for forming the group in the first place is either to shy or too lazy to recruit like minded individuals in the first place.
While considering who you're going to invite to join you, what you will want to say to excite them to the possibilities. Something that will get their interest right away I hope.
In our experience we have found that it is emotion that motivates people to action, particularly when the actual visible bottom line benefits are not yet in view. As individuals and business owners we are under a great deal of pressure today.
The day-to-day reality for the average business owner is survival, which means decisions that can not be seen to directly contribute to their profits right now, are easily put off "until things quiet down" - which never happens.
A real mastermind group is really a group of people committed to helping each other no matter what. A group that will listen to each other; serve as advocates for each other; provide honest feedback to each other; share personal experiences; and encourage each other.
As humans we enjoy being part of group, tribes if you will, and the members a tribe feel they are part of something special, a team with a common purpose. Many business owners have lost that connected feeling, and long for that type of support. This is the heart and soul of what a successful mastermind group is really about - a group of compatriots committed to helping each other no matter what.
When you present this concept to someone, get yourself in touch with that committed team feeling, and come from that place. This is not networking, this about forming a powerful alliance that can change lives and move mountains for people! If you can convey that message and feeling, it will resonate on a deep level.
This is a place to test ideas and strategies, check your assumptions, get honest feedback to provide extended eyes and ears for each member. Make sure your first recruits understand that what you have in mind id a group of people who will have their best interest at heart.
This is a good time to begin creating your own script - articulate the benefits, to enroll your first person in the group. This will help you clearly understand your mastermind group prospects questions so you can better articulate the benefits when structuring your invitation or to have them on the tip of your tongue when the inevitable questions are asked.
For example your mastermind group meets by teleconference or in person two times per month. That each meeting is 90 minutes in length, and if you plan to meet over the phone as we do, there is zero time wasted in travel. And that each group member will have between 10-15 minutes to focus on their business issues that day.
Clearly spell out the benefits and the opportunities for growth as well as the commitments expected of each group member.
