Six reasons SMEs should join a business membership community

Whether you are an established SME or a new start-up, there are many benefits to becoming part of a business membership community. Being part of a community, such as the Business West Chambers of Commerce, isn’t just about raising your business profile and growing your business, there are many other benefits too. Below we list a few.

Minimise any feelings of isolation

In these uncertain economic times, it can be easy for business owners to feel isolated, or indeed any of their staff especially if it’s a small team.  It’s really important that people feel like they can share information, expertise, ask questions and tell others how they are getting on and how their business is faring. A business membership community provides a safe space to do this. It’s also a great way to meet people if you have just set up a business and want to talk about it or just socialise.

Today’s hybrid working world can also mean less contact with people. Being part of a community can help combat any feelings of loneliness. There will always be someone to talk to, whether in person, at an event or other meetup or online. 

Share, learn and broaden your horizons

As people get more comfortable within the community the community spirit grows and you find out more about your fellow members and peers. This could be about projects they have on the go, hobbies or their career paths or business ventures in the pipeline. You never know if a fellow member’s knowledge, expertise, business services or even side hustle is something you or someone else may need in the future. 

As conversation is often varied, you will learn from others. Having an array of businesses within the community provides an opportunity to learn from people from across different sectors. Sometimes, business owners are the accountants, marketeers, sales representatives and HR functions of their company so a chance to pick up some tips from people that do these jobs everyday could prove beneficial. 

Sharing your knowledge and interests could open doors for you and help you to grow your network of contacts. For example, at Business West, you can do this by attending networking events or through submitting written content such as blogs for publication on our community website. 

Meet like-minded people

Membership organisations often organise community events and these are a great way to meet like-minded people. They are also a chance to socialise. We are keen to create and maintain a community vibe and therefore run different kinds of events. For example, our events can range from more formal business networking events where talk is more business related, to more relaxed functions such as early evening drinks or even those which revolve around sport. 

Different kinds of events will encourage varied conversations. SMEs can pick and choose which to attend but all provide the chance to raise your business profile, make new connections, network and mix with new and fellow members.

Get support and advice

The beauty of being part of a vibrant business membership community is the supportive element. You can tap into the knowledge and experience around you.  Community members help each other out. 

The membership organisation is there to help you to access the right support when you need it, and can help you understand how you can get the best out of being a part of the business community, often assisting in making relevant connections, based on your business needs and goals. Some membership organisations, like us, offer other business support services and by joining the community, you may be entitled to exclusive opportunities and discounts. What is available to you will be covered when you first join. 

Thinking of going global? Where to start? We offer international trade services including export documentation. Specifically, as a member you can access these services at a significant discount. This may not be something that you need right now, but it’s an invaluable service for many businesses further down the line as they grow their business.

Raise your business profile

Word of mouth is an effective marketing tool. Becoming well known in a business membership community could lead to fellow members recommending your business to others. The membership organisation will do the same through its varied channels, thereby raising your business profile. The more community members get to know each other, the more the trust builds. If someone recommends you or introduces you to others, they are putting their trust in you – and of course, this should work both ways.

A good business membership community will continue to grow so there is always an opportunity to meet new people and get your business out there, widening your reach over time. We have initiatives in place that allow our members to share their knowledge and/or news in other ways, such as the opportunity to submit their own content, such as blogs, articles, and events, to our website (a DA52 site), making their content accessible to the wider business community and beyond. 

In 2023, our members shared 193 articles, including 63 member-run events, attracting 63% engagement on our membership-dedicated pages. 

Grow your network

Just like any community, there will always be the chance to meet new people and grow your network. You’ll have exposure to SMEs of varying sizes spanning various industries, both B2B and B2C, and you’ll meet people with different expertise and experience. This is valuable as a business owner as you never know who you may need and when. Growing your network of contacts can expose you to new business opportunities.

Owen Warne, Head of Chamber Membership, believes that you will get out of a business membership community what you put in. He adds that an important tip is not to be too ‘salesy’. This isn’t what a community is about. It’s about engaging with people, not being afraid to ask for help or advice if you need it and being happy to help fellow and new members in turn.

If your business is based in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire, consider joining our thriving Business West community as a member and benefit from being a part of an established, friendly and influential business community, as well as access to a range of dedicated business support services and benefits.