Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter if you have the world’s best widget at the lowest possible price. If nobody knows about it, your business won't be successful. That's why networking is so important.
And it doesn't have to be painful, as long as you know where to network. Here are five of the best networking organizations designed to benefit the small business owner.
1) Business Networks International (BNI)
If you're really serious about building your business, BNI is an excellent investment of time and money.
Primarily devoted to referral exchange, BNI provides members with the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and networking tools. A strong advocate of word-of-mouth advertising, BNI promotes marketing strategies for its members via networking opportunities.
BNI groups work like this: Each group is small, typically about 20 people. Only one person from each type of business is allowed in the group. For example, one web designer, one dentist, one heavy equipment operator.
BNI members get a binder which they fill with a stack of business cards from each of their group colleagues. As each member goes about their day, everytime they hear of an opportunity for a referral to one of their BNI colleagues they whip out their binder and make a recommendation for that person's service.
Belonging to BNI is like having 20 public relations people working for you.
BNI groups usually meet once a week, often at a breakfast meeting. They exchange updates about their businesses, and get support from one another on what's going on locally that could turn into business.
Membership fees are quite hefty but if you participate fully you'll get your fee back many times over in new business. To find a local BNI group, go to BNI.com and click the "Find a local chapter" link. There's also a free networking newsletter that you can subscribe to.
2) Chamber of Commerce
Sometimes referred to as a Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce is one of the more universally accepted business networks. Primarily concerned with business at a local level, Chamber of Commerce members work hard to enhance business, both large and small, in their local area.
Some Chambers of Commerce, especially in smaller centers, operate in conjunction with economic development agencies and tourism bureaus. And because it is an ardent and articulate advocate to all levels of government for small businesses, the Chamber of Commerce is often referred to as the voice of small business.
Membership fees vary but are often offset by discounts and other benefits. Joining your local chapter is as easy as looking in the phone book or dropping in to the Chamber of Commerce office.
3) Industry Trade Associations
Trade associations promote their particular industry through advertising, educational seminars, publishing, conferences, trade shows (and sometimes political lobbying). Primarily non-profit organizations, trade associations are governed by a Board of Directors, made up of members who must adhere to a set of specific, agreed upon bylaws.
Members of industry trade groups strive to project a positive public image while advocating popular public opinion of their markets. Membership fees vary according to Industry. Type your industry + trade association into any Internet search engine to get connected.
4) Toastmasters
When most people think of Toastmasters, they think public speaking. Although this is their main mandate, there are additional networking benefits to becoming a member of this group.
Toastmasters is also recognized as a leadership building tool, so the people you will meet in your local Toastmasters group are great business networking contacts.
Toastmasters provides a variety of communication tools that promote spontaneity in both thoughts and actions. It is also designed to provide its members with performance improvements guaranteed to hone leadership skills, build confidence and improve self-image.
Members are encouraged to practice communication skills by learning to speak eloquently and without fear while utilizing listening skills in order to recognize and react to another speaker’s body language - thus gaining a deeper insight and understanding of their unspoken needs. In business, this knowledge is often worth its weight in gold.
Chapters of Toastmasters are available all over the United States and Canada. The cost is generally around $20 to join with monthly fees starting at about $27. Additional information can be found at Toastmasters.org.
5) On-Line Networking Groups
There are tons of on-line networking groups for small business. The trick is to find one that is useful and active. A good place to start is MerchantCircle.com, which provides members with the tools and expertise required to develop trade with other businesses in their local area. MerchantCircle also provides information on topics such as on-line advertising, developing email newsletters, and blogging.
Internet business networking can also be found simply by doing a search at Google or Yahoo. Two of the more well-known online business networking sites are InsiderPages and LinkedIn.
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