{"id":27178,"date":"2025-05-20T14:32:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/?p=27178"},"modified":"2025-05-20T15:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T15:39:07","slug":"e324-how-to-build-a-referral-based-business-with-bni-ceo-mary-kennedy-thompson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/e324-how-to-build-a-referral-based-business-with-bni-ceo-mary-kennedy-thompson\/","title":{"rendered":"E324: How to Build a Referral-Based Business with BNI\u00ae CEO Mary Kennedy Thompson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">In this episode of The Fearless Networker podcast, Todd Falcone sits down with Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI\u00ae (Business Network International)\u2014the world\u2019s largest and most successful referral network.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Mary shares powerful insights on the true value of referral-based marketing, how to ask for referrals without sounding salesy, and how to build long-lasting, profitable relationships that drive real results.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Whether you&#8217;re in network marketing, sales, or entrepreneurship\u2014this episode is a masterclass in growing your business the smart way.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udd17 Listen to the full episode: <a href=\"https:\/\/toddfalcone.com\/episode324\">https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/episode324<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2705 Topics Covered:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Why referrals are the #1 trust-builder in business<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">How to ask for referrals without being awkward<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The #1 mistake people make when trying to grow through referrals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">What makes someone highly referable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Why referral-based marketing is the future of sustainable business growth <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The #1 Selling Script Book in Network Marketing: <a href=\"https:\/\/toddfalcone.com\/guide\">https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/guide<\/a>  <\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Additional Resources for you:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Todd\u2019s Blog:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0|\u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqblZUTXB3WnZ6UWltQ0N2X2x5UmJLMnRIQjVOZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuLVluX0NNZTV0Wks3MnpSQjVXMFo0MW9XN3NDYU5BTzh4M04wVFZyMzlYRzh5bmJXeXdxaWViUnF4TGNEZllzOGhwWXBEOHlkZXloNzJESjNuM0ttazJsc0VaNEN3Z1VyYUhDZUVQWE95LTJnLXRWbw&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toddfalcone.com%2Fblog&amp;v=ityhjB0rxio\">\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.toddfalcone.com\/blog\">http:\/\/www.toddfalcone.com\/blog<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Facebook:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqazVua1RNTW5fbUtDVlY2WHRMa1dWUFJZcVhZUXxBQ3Jtc0tseEphN0thVm5xUmY0bDVKU1RjRDRqQnBNalN3QWZFTnVHaW92TzlOeWhHSkR4UVhUUjZOZXVtNXNaOVJrMzN4SDA2TWljUnhUT3RvbzR5ZWhiMUtEbWdTTkNJVklVMUJnMXg0Nm1SaVhNbGZHVTd5RQ&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fthefearlessnetworker&amp;v=ityhjB0rxio\">\u00a0 <\/a> \u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/thefearlessnetworker\">https:\/\/facebook.com\/thefearlessnetworker<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Instagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVhXdmFjb0xHRUFfMGhVc3B4SnAyU29mRU9ZZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsVWZvdkFwNU5oeUlkWWZ0b2VaUHc2UnBKdjNYMXJVcjhfS2hJMGR6aTIzZ0VEQ011Rmtsejk4Y3VxUXBwaTVINFNzbVl5dmxBUjRvQkt6czktSDlmQVlSZllsZ3RLb1lfQkIwVGxSVFJiWVJtQnVUdw&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Ftoddfalcone&amp;v=ityhjB0rxio\"> \u00a0\u00a0<\/a> | \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/toddfalcone\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/toddfalcone\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">LinkedIn: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGxPYThzMF9maTJuRU1BUGNTbVNIZHpaVFFiUXxBQ3Jtc0tsaFM1S0xlak1OQkd0cFhiTHg3R2FfWUdsS05sWUlrM3o2LTRwYVc3b0Y1YXBsb01vZFl1V3ByNlo2SklxcVl0dXBtS19fcEJXbFp5WkZQQUlYSWo2cFNYQW85TVA4dGcxeUFaLUtTQjd1RjZrc2lIRQ&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftoddfalcone&amp;v=ityhjB0rxio\"> \u00a0\u00a0<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/toddfalcone\/\">https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/toddfalcone\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">ABOUT TODD FALCONE<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not at all afraid to tell-it-like-it-is, Todd Falcone is an entertaining speaker, with a bold approach to teaching people the real truth about what it takes to succeed in network marketing.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Todd has first-hand experience having previously developed massive organizations during a 20+ year career as a distributor in the field. He has presented to audiences both big and small across the globe and his how-to approach is as real as it gets.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As a speaker and trainer, Todd\u2019s training is considered an invaluable resource applicable to any organization\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He focuses on everything from the fundamentals of beginning a home business in network marketing to very advanced offline and online strategies, as well as leadership development, team building and accountability for entrepreneurs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Todd\u2019s speaking style is both refreshing and highly entertaining. His approach to teaching is direct, raw, real and funny as it gets. Todd will have your audience both laughing and learning at the same time.\u00a0 His clients describe him as \u201cintense\u201d, \u201cfun\u201d, \u201chonest\u201d and \u201cauthentic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you\u2019re looking for a speaker that knows how to build a network marketing business, Todd Falcone is the best choice. He is one of an extremely small group of trainers on the circuit today that not only train on the subject, but who has actually BUILT several large organizations.<\/p>\n<p> To Book Todd for an event, webinar or conference call, visit:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/toddfalcone.com\/hire-todd-to-speak\/\">https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/hire-todd-to-speak\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this episode of The Fearless Networker podcast, Todd Falcone sits down with Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI\u00ae (Business Network International)\u2014the world\u2019s largest and most successful referral network. Mary shares powerful insights on the true value of referral-based marketing, how to ask for referrals without sounding salesy, and how to build long-lasting, profitable relationships that drive real results. Whether you&#8217;re in network marketing, sales, or entrepreneurship\u2014this episode is a masterclass in growing your business the smart way. \ud83d\udd17 Listen to the full episode: https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/episode324 \u2705 Topics Covered:  Why referrals are the #1 trust-builder in business  How to ask for referrals without being awkward  The #1 mistake people make when trying to grow through referrals  What makes someone highly referable  Why referral-based marketing is the future of sustainable business growth  The #1 Selling Script Book in Network Marketing: https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/guide  Additional Resources for you:\u00a0 Todd\u2019s Blog:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0|\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0http:\/\/www.toddfalcone.com\/blog Facebook:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0 https:\/\/facebook.com\/thefearlessnetworker\u00a0 Instagram: \u00a0\u00a0 | \u00a0 https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/toddfalcone\/\u00a0 LinkedIn: \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0 https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/toddfalcone\/\u00a0 \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 ABOUT TODD FALCONE \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 Not at all afraid to tell-it-like-it-is, Todd Falcone is an entertaining speaker, with a bold approach to teaching people the real truth about what it takes to succeed in network marketing. Todd has first-hand experience having previously developed massive organizations during a 20+ year career as a distributor in the field. He has presented to audiences both big and small across the globe and his how-to approach is as real as it gets. As a speaker and trainer, Todd\u2019s training is considered an invaluable resource applicable to any organization\u2019s success. He focuses on everything from the fundamentals of beginning a home business in network marketing to very advanced offline and online strategies, as well as leadership development, team building and accountability for entrepreneurs.\u00a0\u00a0 Todd\u2019s speaking style is both refreshing and highly entertaining. His approach to teaching is direct, raw, real and funny as it gets. Todd will have your audience both laughing and learning at the same time.\u00a0 His clients describe him as \u201cintense\u201d, \u201cfun\u201d, \u201chonest\u201d and \u201cauthentic.\u201d If you\u2019re looking for a speaker that knows how to build a network marketing business, Todd Falcone is the best choice. He is one of an extremely small group of trainers on the circuit today that not only train on the subject, but who has actually BUILT several large organizations. To Book Todd for an event, webinar or conference call, visit:\u00a0 https:\/\/ToddFalcone.com\/hire-todd-to-speak\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":17089,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"audio","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-audio","has-post-thumbnail","category-podcast","post_format-post-format-audio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27178"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27179,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27178\/revisions\/27179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.networkersjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}