As a small business owner, there are lots of things to think about, whether you’re a one-man-band or are scaling up. But there’s one thing that many business owners feel, and that’s a sense of loneliness. They may not know many other small business owners, or people in the same industry as them. As a result, they may feel a lack of support from people who really know what they’re going through. However, there is one way to change this, and hopefully get more business in the process! What is that? Well, it’s networking groups! Networking for small business owners can be truly valuable in making connections with like-minded people. Having said this, it can be difficult to know where to start and which networking group to join. So, we’ve put together this quick and handy guide that should give you a few ideas!

Larger groups are always an option for small business networking

There are plenty of big networking groups out there that have multiple locations that you can join. Each one will have a slightly different offering and purpose. Some examples are the British Chambers of Commerce, which connects business owners across the UK with over 100 different chambers in existence, and BNI, which is a worldwide group with over 270,000 member businesses across the globe. There is even a UK-based group that is specifically for small business networking! The Federation of Small Businesses is a networking group with over 200,000 members! As is the case with anything, there are pros and cons to larger groups when it comes to networking for small business owners, which we’ll take a look at here:

Pros

• You’ll probably be able to meet more people at larger, well-attended groups, which is great for expanding your network and meeting connections who may be able to help you down the line!
• These groups tend to be very well organised and run by a larger national body.
• They’re great for motivation due to the large number of people you’ll meet. You’ll be able to inspire each other and who knows where it could take you?
• Many bigger groups benefit from interesting guest speakers or workshops that smaller groups don’t usually have.

Cons

• You’re less likely to meet people in the same industry as you, as there tends to be lots of different business owners attending. However, this can be a pro in the case of some networking groups, where you can get business from other members- there’s less competition!
• Cost: these groups definitely tend to be more expensive than smaller, local groups, because they have higher costs and may offer you more in the way of venues, events, and so on.
• Some of their criteria for joining may be more difficult for small business owners to meet. For example, at BNI, only one member per regional group can do the same thing.
• It’s likely that not everyone there will be from a small business, so the dynamic of the group may not be what you’re expecting.

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Smaller, niche groups are perfect for networking for small business owners

While the big, national or international groups can have their benefits, they’re definitely not for everyone. If that’s you, then don’t worry! There are plenty of smaller groups available around the country that may be better suited to you. These groups often have a narrower niche or are aimed at small businesses specifically. For example, our friends at Surrey Event Professionals offer networking for those in the events industry. Again, there are plenty of pros and cons to these groups when it comes to small business networking, so let’s take a look:

Pros

• You’re far more likely to meet people who work in similar industries to you. You’ll be able to bond with them over this, and hopefully build up the support group that many small business owners feel that they lack. This is particularly true of niche groups that may target your industry specifically.
• You’ll be able to learn more about the local area and the businesses that operate within it. For example, at Surrey Event Professionals, event attendees get to see a different venue situated in Surrey and the surrounding areas every single month! This is relevant to their businesses and also adds a bit of excitement.
• Local groups are usually cheaper to join, and come with lower costs in general. So, they’re great if your business is just starting out and isn’t looking to invest too much into networking at this stage.

Cons

• There may be fewer people at a local networking group. This means that you may be able to make fewer connections.
• The same people tend to attend the group each time, with fewer new faces than there would be at a larger group. So, once you know them all, you may start to feel a bit more limited.
• These groups may not attract the same quality of speakers as the larger groups can get. However, this doesn’t mean that the speakers won’t be interesting, or that you won’t be able to learn from them.

Why not start your own networking group?

Sometimes, the groups around you just aren’t what you’re looking for. This could be for a number of reasons. Perhaps they’re too expensive, too far away, or just don’t offer what you need from small business networking. If this is the case for you, then why not start your own group? It doesn’t have to be huge, with hundreds of members! Just start small and come up with a group that suits your needs. If you’re looking for it, then other people probably are too. You could make it a generalised group, with members from all industries or sectors. Or, you could make it tailored to just your industry, for example, a group for florists, recruiters, or local shops. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons:

Pros

• It can be tailored to your exact needs, thus becoming your perfect networking group! If other groups are lacking something, then this could be the solution.
• You’re likely to meet all sorts of people as the leader of the group that you can build relationships with, and your business can benefit from.
• Taking such a step and creating your own group will help build your reputation in the local area. More people will find out about you and what you do, so it could be great for your business prospects!

Cons

• While it doesn’t have to cost the earth, there will be some costs involved in setting up your own group. So, if your small business is just starting out, this may not be the option for you.
• You’ll be the sole one in charge of marketing your group and getting new members to join! Make sure you make full use of social media and other local marketing tactics to ensure your best chance of success.

Overall, networking for small business owners can be really valuable. It’s up to you which groups you decide to join, whether they’re national, local, or your own! Small business networking takes many forms and there’s no one-size-fits-all policy. Every single small business is different and will need various things out of networking. So, we’d suggest you take the time to have a look around groups in your area to see what is the best fit for you and will bring your business the most benefits!

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