What is GNet?

GNet is short for Grassroots Small Business Networking.  It is a movement meant to inspire start up and small business owners on a local level.

Too often is networking restricted by membership dues, recurring expenses, and similar frivolities.  GNet is pure networking designed to give new and micro business owners a presence in the industry, which their shoestring budgets may not be able to provide.  In addition GNet allows more established business owners to help expand their spheres of influence and gives them the opportunity to mentor budding entrepreneurs.

The outcome will be a stronger local economy and a more encouraging community.

GNet encourages industry presence by:

1) Providing equal access to networking, regardless of income or net worth
2) Increasing Internet presence through social media
3) Creating a pro-networking environment through non-exclusivity

Why Network?
Who can Join GNet?
What are the benefits to membership?
Interested in joining?
Questions?

Why network?

Networking involves making connections with fellow business owners and members of your community.  Networking helps grow businesses.

Business owners networking with other business owners
By getting to know your fellow local business owners you gain invaluable resources.  First, you have the opportunity to get the word out about your business to another business owner who in turn will help promote your business to their clients.  More established entrepreneurs will be able to give you advice and guidance making starting and managing a business more manageable.  By connecting and building relationships in your area you develop a positive reputation with your fellow business owners.

Business owners networking with members of the community
Getting to know the members of your community is vital to growing your business.  Networking with them gives your business a friendly face and a name.  The community gets to know more about your business and how it can help them.

In short, networking is another form of marketing.  It is more powerful than a flyer or a TV commercial because it allows you to reach out and build a lasting connection.

Who can join GNet?

Anybody can attend a GNet meeting – these visitors are called attendees.  Attendees are welcome to observe how GNet works and are encouraged to network with the group.  Members are the official participants of GNet.  They can take advantages of such benefits like doing a spotlight presentation and sending out a free announcement through the newsletter.

What are the benefits to membership?

Recognizable as a regular member
Become a regular face to the other members and visitors and build a stronger connection.

The opportunity to cross-market with other members
As members begin to grow and understand each other’s businesses they can begin to co-brand and cross-market with one another.  Examples of this include a real estate agent holding an open house with a loan officer and with catering by a local baker.

The opportunity to showcase your business
Members host meetings at their business and giving members and attendees the chance to see their business first hand.  If you don’t have a facility capable of hosting a meeting don’t worry.  One of the other members will open their business to you, or we can meet at our regular location.

A dedicated page on the group’s blog describing themselves and their business
When a new member joins they get a dedicated blog post on the chapter’s blog describing them and their business which is transferred over to a dedicated page.  This helps give the business owner a self-directed search engine presence.  The blog also acts as a universal business card.  Can’t remember the tailor’s number?  Check the blog!  Your friend looking for a caterer for their holiday party?  Send them to the blog!  They’ll also meet the caterer as well as a baker for their dessert and the hair stylist for a fashionable appearance!

The opportunity to contribute original content on the group’s blog
In addition to the dedicated page every member can contribute original blog posts.  The member submits their piece for approval who then posts the blog post on their behalf.  Each blog post has the author’s name and is linked to the dedicated page on the blog.

Original content creates a stronger search engine presence!

Facebook Fanpage Marketing
Each GNet group will have their own Facebook fanpage where members can post updates about their business and other relevant news and current events.  This will help connect GNet to the members’ friends and increase their exposure.

YouTube Video Marketing
Google and other search engines love original content, but what they love even more is media.  Videos consistently rank high in search results.  Video also provides you the opportunity to demonstrate exactly what you do and who you are to your potential clients.

Despite being a powerful tool, few business people take advantage of it!

Interested in joining?

Ask a member of the leadership committee for an application today!  Remember that membership is completely free!

Worried about conflicts?

No problem.  It’s important to us that everybody feel welcome regardless of their industry.  We learn from each other and each of us runs our business differently.  It isn’t always about the service or the product being offered – it’s the person behind it and sometimes there’s just a better fit.  Growing the group and sharing our experiences is most important to us and we hope that it’s important to you too.

Questions?  Contact this GNet chapter using the form below