I can't imagine having to be civilized at an uncivilized (to me) hour!!
 

I joined a couple of these groups, but they kept wanting to meet at 7am.  Who eats breakfast before 9?  I dropped out of the groups.

I tried and found the group to be like a bunch of vultures clawing at my carcass for business. I am just not a "clawer" I guess!

Long, long ago.   It was at 8:00AM.  Then 7:00AM.   Way too early for me.

Absolutely.  I belonged to one and did a lot of business with members.  

The only way to know is to try it for yourself.  I tried and didn't like it.

I didn't feel comfortable giving out business cards of and referring clients to other professionals (insurance agents or chiropractors, for example) that I only knew through sharing coffee and croissants.  I had no knowledge of their professional competence and decided it wasn't for me.

I know many people love them and swear by them so I maybe I am just too antisocial in the mornings.

Will Hamm I tried, did not receive any business.

I tried this a few years ago, and it didn't work for me. But look at the size of my town. Less than 2,000 people. It might be a good thing to do in a larger area. 

I formed my own group and ran it for several years and also joined a lunch group for several years.  I don't feel any of them grasped the concept that they are suppose to talk to the people they know and ask questions like real estate agents do.  We ask lots of questions...

A few of my newer agents have participated for period of time.  Too organized and expensive for some.

I do not do breakfast meetings even at the local board. Sorry!

I did really well with one 10 years ago !

Will Hamm I've gone to a couple of BNI meetings for a member who couldn't make a meeting. Members weren't looked on favorably, if they didn't bring a referral to the group. The stress of having to attend every meeting and bring a continuous flow of referrals to me wasn't worth the hassle.

On the other hand, I belonged to a commercial real estate networking group that turned out to be very effective. We all had like needs and were willing to share our resources and business with positive results.

I have had working breakfasts (game planning) , and networking lunches at conferences.  I have not had a networking breakfast group, but I am sure it would help my business. 

Will, I tried a few where I met great vendors but didn't benefit much from any of them. Some required membership fees which I paid, some required volunteer hours, not for me. 

I have not but there are abundant opportunities to find success.  Of course, you can find a lot of "crap" too but you never know until you try.

Absolutely it can be beneficial.

The reality is, "IT will be whatever you make it."

Some go thinking three people will meet them today and meet none.

Others go knowing they will introduce themselves to three people to whom they will share their well thought out purpose and learn of the others purpose.

My experience has been the established groups are of little help to the newbie. Where as brand new groups have not yet established the alliances and reciprocity indebtedness.

I went to a couple anumber of years ago and while I met some vendors that I now use fairly regularly I did not find that it benefitted me for my business. Some work, some don't, I think depending on how they are structured, the attendees, etc.

Yes, I think it, 'can't hurt, might help' Will Hamm.  You never know who you will meet, nor what that first impression of each other will be like.  And people do refer people to others, so it could open more avenues than what seems apparent.  No, I have not tried it yet, though I am currently checking out groups! 

I think it definitely has the potential to be beneficial. My perspective is a little different being at a real estate school, but I attend similar industry functions with my employer (who is also a broker) and we've found them to be beneficial. Depending on the type of event you can meet people who may not be real estate agents but are somehow connected to the industry like appraisers, concrete suppliers, etc. that can become valuable contacts or provide a different perspective on a problem you're currently pondering. 

They can also just be fun, so worst case scenario you don't think you made any valuable business connections but did have a good time. 

Will,

We tried several and then started our own, and yes we benefitted.  You have to find one that resonates with you.  A

I've done it in the past... no results. I don't like breakfast networking events in any case, since I devote my early morning hours to quiet work in my office.

I am not into it Will. I network on my own.

For some it can be a great source of business. Depends..are you a morning person?

I have a farm group that I have breakfast with once a month and it works out well

The BNI (is that what you mean by breakfast networking group?) that we belong to has been absolutely invaluable to our business. We've had a nearly nonstop stream of referrals from the BNI group for 3 years. 

Yes, Le Tip. First problem was, I don't eat breakfast except for tea and everyone really chowed down! It actually made me feel uncomfortable. Secondly, mostly, everyone was selling services such as chiropractors, massage and facial people, and professionals such as accountaints and lawyers,  small business owners and others with stuff that can easily be purchased at fairly low costs. To be a real estate agent where you need a listing or a buyer, that is a whole new financial investment. Didn't want to seem "cheap" not buying some of their services even though I really didn' want or need them. Over about 3 months, I got nothing out of it except for possibly gaining a couple of pounds and paying out quite a bit of money I would not normally have done.

I suppose if one is NEW to the area and knows NO ONE, then the breakfast is better than nothing.... but there are better ways to network and with more powerful people....

When one tiny grain of sand is moved on a beach, the whole beach is affected. Any exposure will have an impact on an individual & business

I do think it would help but I haven't tried it.

There are a few agents in my office that do a network group & they do well with it.  I still haven't started/gone/officially joined a Linked In network group in my area. Pretty pathetic.

I have not tried this.

Susan Emo nailed this one!! 

Yes. Face to face networking is very effective.

You can get the same results in a Lions Club or other service club.

I have not but I know of agents who have had a lot of success from their networking group.

Regular networking will help and has proved so. A hit and miss approach is just that and people see through that you are not a giver and just want to get.

I don't do mornings or breakfast

I have seen plenty of the around, but being a business owner and captain of the ship, this is the most critical time for me to be in the office.

A mid afternoon coffee meeting would be possible some days.

I echo what Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC said ... same experience for me ... Chamber of Commerce ... that kind of networking is not for me. 

In East Dallas we have 2 meeting per month.  I try to attend at least one.  A good way to meet people and network.