In the world of merchant services, relationships drive results. While digital marketing and cold outreach have their place, one of the most powerful ways to build your book of business is through face-to-face networking. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to expand your local footprint, leveraging business networking groups can help you generate high-quality leads, build trust, and close more deals—faster.

At Beacon Payments, we’ve seen firsthand how successful agents use local business communities to grow their portfolios. In this post, we’ll show you how to tap into the power of networking groups and give you real-world examples of where to start.

Why Business Networking Groups Work

Unlike cold calls or paid ads, networking puts you in front of people who are actively looking to connect, refer, and grow. In many cases, business owners are far more likely to take advice from someone they’ve built a personal relationship with than from a salesperson they’ve never met.

Benefits of joining a business networking group:

  • Warm introductions to potential clients
  • Access to decision-makers in real time
  • Ongoing referral streams
  • Trust-based relationships that lead to repeat business
  • Opportunity to establish yourself as a local expert

Types of Networking Groups That Work for Merchant Services Agents

🔹 1. Local BNI (Business Network International) Chapters

BNI groups operate on a referral-based model where each industry has one seat. As a merchant services professional, you can lock in the "credit card processing" seat and become the go-to for everyone in the group.

Pro Tip: Attend regularly, give referrals to others, and you’ll quickly start getting them in return.

🔹 2. Chamber of Commerce Mixers

Your local Chamber of Commerce hosts events, workshops, and networking breakfasts that attract small business owners—the exact audience you want to reach.

Example: Attend a chamber lunch and talk to restaurant owners, retailers, or service providers who may be overpaying on processing fees or looking to upgrade their POS systems.

🔹 3. Industry-Specific Meetups

Find groups tailored to verticals like restaurants, salons, or contractors. Not only can you build niche knowledge, but you can also position yourself as a specialized expert.

Example: Join a regional restaurant association and offer to give a short presentation on cash discounting and POS solutions at a member meeting.

🔹 4. Referral Groups and Mastermind Circles

These smaller, invite-only groups often include professionals like CPAs, realtors, and insurance agents—people who talk to business owners every day. Build strong relationships, and they’ll refer clients your way.

🔹 5. Co-Working Spaces and Entrepreneur Events

Tech hubs and co-working spaces often host pitch nights, happy hours, and speaker panels. Many of these business owners are launching or scaling—and need payment solutions that grow with them.

How to Get the Most from Networking

  • Be consistent. Show up regularly to build trust.
  • Give before you ask. Offer referrals, share resources, and be helpful.
  • Have a clear pitch. Be able to quickly explain how you help businesses save money or operate more efficiently.
  • Follow up. The fortune is in the follow-up. Send a quick email or LinkedIn message to keep the connection alive.
  • Offer value, not just a sale. Share tips about PCI compliance, new POS tools, or how to avoid hidden fees—even if the contact isn’t ready to switch yet.

Tools You Can Use at Events

  • Business cards and a digital contact-sharing app like HiHello
  • One-pagers or flyers about your services
  • A tablet or mobile terminal for live demos
  • A QR code to your scheduling link or free statement review offer

Real-World Example: How Networking Builds Residuals

One Beacon Payments agent attended a local BNI group weekly. After six months, they built relationships with a CPA, a marketing consultant, and a commercial cleaner. Each of those contacts introduced them to multiple business owners. In one year, they closed 14 new accounts—generating over $5,000/month in residual income from networking alone.

Final Thoughts

Business networking groups aren’t just about passing out business cards—they’re about building meaningful, local relationships that convert into warm leads and long-term clients. When done right, networking can become the most cost-effective and scalable source of growth for your merchant services business.

Want tools to help you turn networking into income?
Join the Beacon Payments ISO program and get access to free marketing materials, POS demo kits, and one-on-one support to help you close more deals through your local network.