Join here or the FSB or ... ?

[Andy Inman]

I'm wondering abouting whether the best investment would be paying for membership here, the FSB or somewhere else. Obviously the FSB costs a lot more than here, but offers more. Input appreciated.

 

[Clinton]

Here? Huh? This is not a substitute for something like the FSB.

If you want an alternate to the FSB talk to @consultant

 

[Mr D]

I'm wondering abouting whether the best investment would be paying for membership here, the FSB or somewhere else. Obviously the FSB costs a lot more than here, but offers more. Input appreciated.

Unless wanting to use a membership benefit here why pay for membership here?
Can use the forums without paying.

 

[Andy Inman]

Here? Huh? This is not a substitute for something like the FSB.

If you want an alternate to the FSB talk to @consultant

Thanks Clinton. Totally understood and I realise FSB is a very different thing to these forums. I guess I'm asking about ROI that others feel they've obtained. The membership fee here is tiny as a business expense, but, "take care of the pennies...".

Unless wanting to use a membership benefit here why pay for membership here?
Can use the forums without paying.

Thanks Mr D. My conclusion too, can't really see why yet I would want to pay for membership here. I'm thinking of paying for an ad though.

 

[Mark T Jones]

My ROI on here is zero. Which might be because I seldom promote my business. I know others, like @JEREMY HAWKE who pick up loads from it

Joining something won’t generate leads. Using it effectively might. (By which I mean getting involved, not shouting sales messages).

What are you really hoping to achieve and/or put in?

 

[Andy Inman]

My ROI on here is zero. Which might be because I seldom promote my business. I know others, like @JEREMY HAWKE who pick up loads from it

Joining something won’t generate leads. Using it effectively might. (By which I mean getting involved, not shouting sales messages).

I don't think I was expecting any, other than perhaps than making occasional contacts that might lead to something.

What are you really hoping to achieve and/or put in?

Good question, hadn't really thought about it. Made one contact today: we might need their services, they might need ours, so that's all well and good. More of the same perhaps. Exchange of ideas. Insight into what others similar to me are doing. Helping others, especially those just starting up, when I see a question that I feel is within my domain. Getting help, getting ideas. Just stuff really

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Mr D]

Also handy for finding people to quote on particular services you are after.
Some helpful person on the forums may be helpful to their paying customers too. Certainly a bunch of people on here I'd happily use for their professional services - based on the reputation they have built.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Joining this forum is great for building a reputation and that is where you will get business from. I am not an SEO expert, but posts are indexed very fast here and they do appear in general web searches. As a member you can also promote your business, products and services in several ways. For £30 it is a no brainer - BUT YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE!

I think joining a group like the FSB or (as suggested by @Clinton (thanks)) my organisation, Your Business Community (in the signature), is essential for all businesses, for several reasons (which vary a little due to what the group offers). These include professional advice, financial protection, a document library, time & money-saving benefits, ways to grow your business and more.

BUT, like anything, if you do not use what is there, understand what is on offer, take advantage of what comes with membership and participate in the community, you might be wasting your money.

 

[Alison Moore]

Probably both, but it depends which business sector you're in and how you get new clients. You can use the forum here for free though and see how much you use it and then join at a late date.

 

[gpietersz]

After four months on this forum I have had two enquiries, both this month. No actual work.

I have also had an enquiry from Reddit in that time, and I post more here.

Both are actually pretty good in my terms as I am after a few bigger sales rather than lots of smaller ones (although I will take the latter, and they often lead to more work at some point).

 

[Paul Norman]

Not sure either will produce an ROI as such.

Both are useful, however.

PS - I am sure some people have had business from these forums. They will have an ROI, and they might be better qualified to answer the question.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

As a full member here I
I don't know why others don't pay the 36 quid and post everything about what they do and who they are
@Paul Norman a ROI for £36 a year ! You are gong to get that back !

I never have any intention of gaining business from here but people say I found out about you on UKBF . Would you be able to help ? !

I just say give us your credit card number and we will really look after you and thats business ! and this is a business forum.

If I can do it so can you ?

(that's was my Remington micro screen line for the older members )

This place is really useful I don't asked too many questions these days but that may change with us leaving the EU . We are in unchartered waters and a tool like this can be a lot help .
I know who to ask on here If we do have issues with the new changes .
I just hope it Is not one of those IP boys and girls on here because they thrive on doom and gloom Sorry you know who you are

You lot cant say you have not got £36 look at the German cars you all drive !

 

[Lovetts Solicitors]

I'll be honest - we joined as paying members mainly to see if we could get a bit of business from the forum. We've had some, but we've realised that actually it's more about being able to help answer the questions people have. If it leads to direct business that's great, but if not it still shows that we have authority and credibility in that area, and for an industry like ours that long track record is crucial to develop and maintain.

And who knows - in a few years time someone from this forum may be working for a megacorp, have an issue with book debt and suddenly think "who was that law firm that used to be really helpful on UKBF - I'll give them a ring".

 

[Eldy70]

I've paid to be a member of the FSB before, and found that it wasn't quite right for my kind of business. It seemed (at least in the area where my business is) that it thought of businesses as being "shops". Which is great if you are a shop. I didn't find their networking events overly inspiring either.

What you do get with the FSB is free legal advice - which can be useful. But in the end (and as I belong to other organisations that offer similar benefits), I decided it wasn't for me.

I think, as others here have suggested, the important thing is to find groups that do work for you - and take part in them regularly.

 

[Ian J]

After four months on this forum I have had two enquiries, both this month. No actual work.

It doesn't help your pocket but you've certainly been very helpful on a couple of problems that I've had