Best Networking Groups for Small Business Owners

by Brandon Boushy
Best Networking Groups for Small Business Owners

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Are you curious about the best networking groups for small business owners?

We looked for all the places a small business owner can network with other entrepreneurs to share knowledge. Whether you’re looking for in-person events or small business communities online, you’ll find a small business group that’s perfect for you as you start or grow your business.

Get ready to learn about the best business networking groups.

UpFlip

We’re creating a business networking and mentorship group to bring together successful business owners, consultants, and prospective business owners to help everyone succeed.

Given we’ve interviewed hundreds of successful business owners and have over a million people who look to us for business insights, we think you’ll love our online networking group. Make sure you’re signed up for updates.

American Marketing Association (AMA)

The American Marketing Association’s membership page on a laptop

Let’s be real here: Every business owner needs to be educated on marketing for business success. One of the best small business networking organizations for marketing is the American Marketing Association.

Network with professional marketers, learn from online and in-person meetups, and get certified on the most updated marketing strategies.

LinkedIn Groups

A tablet with LinkedIn loading=

LinkedIn is a great place to network online, interact with other professionals, and learn skills in your industry. You can join community groups for free or you can subscribe to LinkedIn Premium to get advanced insights and online courses.

Network After Work

The Network After Work community offers four levels of networking opportunities:

  1. Basic: Virtual networking events and three 1-to-1 meetings per month for free.
  2. Connection Builder: For $9 per month or $49 annually, you’ll get in-person networking events, 1:1 community messaging, and masterclasses on marketing and business growth.
  3. Community Builder: The $29 monthly plan includes curated peer groups and member profiles to help small business owners network and improve their business strategies.
  4. Lead Finder: Small business owners can use the $99 monthly plan to help find leads. It includes everything in the lower-level plans and provides contact information to turn professional networking into lead generation.

Meetup

Meetup on a tablet

Meetup is a platform where people can create local meetups and join groups of like-minded people. The networking opportunities are mostly in your physical location (or somewhere you’re visiting). It’s free for both personal and small business networking groups, too (unless you wish to host your own events, in which case, you will need to invest in a paid membership).

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is best known in the event management industry because it helps concert promoters and other event planners manage their ticket sales. Like Meetup, it also has a directory of business events you can check out.

Facebook Groups

Business leaders can network with customers, other business professionals, and vendors in local and industry-specific Facebook online networks. Remember your messaging will need to be slightly different for each group.

Local Trade Associations

There are thousands of local trade associations you can join to improve your business network, improve your knowledge of your field, and meet possible mentors. Check out this directory of associations for some ideas of where you can meet like-minded individuals.

Women in Business

A smartly dressed woman holding a binder and gesturing to a screenshot of Women in Business’s membership page

Women in Business is a networking group that supports women by offering masterclasses, features about your business, mentoring groups, and other materials. Lifetime membership is $397, or you can pay $47 per month.

Local Development Associations

The Small Business Administration provides leadership development through local chapters. Many small business owners find the Small Business Development Centers a valuable resource for learning more about:

  • Business planning
  • Capital investments
  • Exporting
  • Financial management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing
  • New technology
  • Operations
  • Sales
  • Strategy

Chief

Chief is a women’s-only organization of executives and founders of small businesses. Entry requirements vary depending on the size of your organization, your position, and business revenue. Those with fewer than 30 employees need:

  • $2 million in annual revenue
  • Prior experience at larger-sized companies
  • Reporting levels under CEO in previous roles

Chief provides mentor relationships and professional development on inclusionary practices, media interactions, and technology disruption. There are also other networking groups inside the group. Learn more about Chief membership.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)

A screenshot of the National Association for the Self-Employed’s membership benefit webpage

The National Association for the Self-Employed is for self-employed people and offers monthly grants, discounts, business profiles, expert advice on a range of subjects, and even life insurance. They have a variety of plans ranging from $25 annually for students to $540 a year for the most life insurance and other benefits.

Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN)

This international organization helps people who are building businesses understand the entrepreneurial process, including ways to get different types of funding. You also get a member profile and can compete in global awards competitions for business. Check out GEN.

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

The MBDA helps minorities, women, and formerly incarcerated individuals grow as entrepreneurs by providing access to information, grants, and events. This is a government agency; as such, you may require some assistance to best navigate the resources it offers for entrepreneurs.

Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce Directory page on a desktop computer

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the largest business networking group in the States. The organization has thousands of local Chamber of Commerce groups across the country to help you meet other business owners and develop your business.

SCORE

You’ll benefit from in-person and online networking groups hosted by SCORE, plus you can use the platform to find a mentor and even volunteer opportunities. Check out their site to learn more.

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)

Entrepreneurs’ Organization has 18,000 members across 220 local chapters in 78 countries. They offer local and regional events, education, and mentorship. You’ll have to apply and get approved to join the network.

Business Networking International (BNI)

A woman perusing BNI’s website on a laptop

There are over 318,000 people in more than 11,000 local BNI chapters. Members create economic activity equal to $22 billion each year. One of the most notable things about these business networking groups is that they are referral-based, meaning the small business owners who suggest new members are already part of the organization.

Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)

Small business owners under the age of 45 who make over $1 million in revenue, have received more than $1 million in funding, or have sold a business for more than $2 million in the last three years should apply for the Young Entrepreneur Council. You’ll be able to network with other young business professionals who are at the top of their game.

Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA)

If you’re trying to make the world a better place, joining this vetted community shows your business is committed to placing the good of the world over your business profits. There are three membership levels with fees that range from $150 to $275 per year. All the plans get you included in the member database so you can network with other members. Learn more about SEA.

Vistage

Vistage is a mentorship group that is over 65 years old and claims more than 45,000 members and an average of 4.6% increased revenue during 2020. There are applications for guest speakers, chairpeople, sponsors, and licensees as well.

4Networking

If you’re looking to build business networks in the United Kingdom, check out 4N. They have online and local networking groups, plus a free online directory you can use to help your business grow.

Federation of Small Businesses

A business woman holding up FSB’s business banking app on a smart phone

The Federation of Small Businesses is another UK small business group. There are more than 500,000 members and rates range from £97.5 to £1,195 depending on the size of your organization. It gives access to:

  • Business banking
  • Business insurance quotes
  • Debt recovery service
  • Free networking and events
  • Funding
  • Legal, tax, and employment advice
  • Legal templates
  • Payroll and pensions
  • Tax investigation protection
  • Training courses

Consider Volunteering

Organizations like the Rotary Club (focused on doing good in the local community and internationally) and the Kiwanis Club (an international nonprofit organization that helps kids) offer great opportunities for business owners. Contribute to the cause financially or volunteer with a local chapter.

While volunteer events aren’t technically local business networking groups, as a small business owner, they can provide a great opportunity to build your professional network and meet potential clients. Doing good in the community never hurt a small business!

How to Network Effectively

Networking is an essential part of business success. It can help you build relationships, generate leads, and learn from others. Here are a few tips to help you network effectively:

  1. Set goals for your networking activities. What do you hope to achieve by networking? Do you want to generate leads, find a job, or learn about a new industry? Having specific goals in mind will help you focus your efforts and make the most of your time.
  2. Identify your target audience. Who do you want to network with? Potential customers, clients, or referral partners? Once you know your target audience, you can tailor your networking activities accordingly.
  3. Choose the right networking events. There are many different types of networking events, so it’s important to choose the ones that are right for you. Consider the goals of the event, the target audience, and the cost.
  4. Be prepared. Before you attend a networking event, take some time to prepare. This includes researching the other attendees, practicing your elevator pitch, and bringing plenty of business cards.
  5. Be yourself. When you’re networking, it’s important to be yourself. People can spot a fake from a mile away, so don’t try to be someone you’re not. Just be genuine and let your personality shine through.
  6. Listen actively. When you’re talking to someone, really listen to what they have to say. Ask questions and show that you’re interested in their perspective and experience. This will help you build rapport and make a lasting impression.
  7. Follow up after the event. After you attend a networking event, follow up with the people you met. Send them a thank-you note or connect with them on LinkedIn. This will help you stay in touch and build relationships.

Networking can be a great way to grow your business and achieve your goals. By following these tips, you can network effectively and make the most of your time.

Pro Tip: Want to take your business to the next level? In addition to participating in networking events, you might want to commit to a mastermind group, too. New to the idea? Learn what you need to know in our blog on Best Mastermind Groups & Mastermind Pro Tips.

How to Find the Right Small Business Networking Group

A young man in a suit and dark rimmed glasses using a tablet to search for best networking groups

Once you’ve performed the steps from the previous section, there are a variety of terms you can search to find the best networking groups in your area. Try some of these search terms:

  • Business networking groups near me
  • Business networking near me
  • Business clubs near me
  • Business network near me
  • Marketing groups near me
  • Entrepreneur groups near me
  • Small business networking events near me
  • Networking events near me
  • Free networking events near me
  • Networking events today near me
  • Professional networking events near me
  • Networking opportunities near me
  • Networking meetings near me
  • Small business groups near me
  • Local networking events near me

Go Out and Sharpen Your Networking Skills

We’ve provided you with a list of business network groups where you can interact with hundreds of thousands of people. It won’t always come easy building your small business network, but if you follow our networking tips and keep building relationships, you’ll get there.

What networking events for entrepreneurs have you gone to? Did you like them?


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Author

Brandon Boushy

Our lead writer, Brandon Boushy, has been a business consultant, business owner, and marketer since 2017. Brandon is committed to the pursuit of knowledge and continuous improvement. He measures his success based on how many business owners he helps succeed. Brandon started Raising Daisy Photography in 2017 with Stephanie MacIver. His role was focused on marketing, estimating, and managing customer interactions. He is also a freelance business researcher and has provided over 3,800 hours of business research for more than 50 clients. His blogs are read by over 2 million people every year. Brandon told us: "My motto is never quit learning. I bring this motto to everything I do, and find writing the best way to help share the data I obtain to assist business professionals pursue their dreams." He empowers companies to improve their communication and brand awareness through creative content strategies and blog writing.

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