Networking. Does the word strike fear into your heart, or does it excite you with its possibilities?
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.
Here are five of the best networking organizations designed to benefit the small business owner.
1. Business Networks International (BNI)
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
