Are you sitting there alone in your office, wondering how to grow your business? Well, there’s one piece of advice I offer virtually every entrepreneur: Join an organization. You can build a company faster, easier, and more successfully if you’re part of group serving your industry, community, or local entrepreneurs.
Since I began my business, I’ve participated in many groups. I’ve never sat down and figured out how much I’ve spent on memberships, meetings and meals, but I’m sure it adds up to quite a sum. And I can say, without a doubt, it’s been worth every penny.
After all, it was at a referrals group that I first learned how to give an “elevator pitch” (the short description of my services). That’s also where I found many of my clients during my early years in business. In fact, it was through someone at an entrepreneur group that I made the connection that led to my first book contract. And that changed my life!
Entrepreneurs are even more fortunate now than I was back then. There are many more resources to help you launch your business.
What will you get out of joining an organization?
• Community: Working alone or in a small business, it’s easy to feel isolated. Joining organizations helps you become part of a larger business world.
• Connections: If you’re looking for the name of an attorney or graphic artist, trying to find a supplier, or just need advice, you’ll find people who can refer you to these sources.
• Education: Many groups, especially entrepreneur and industry associations, provide valuable information and training.
• Friends: You can meet people who become your personal friends, regardless of any business connection or benefit.
• New business: It’s ideal if you get clients or referrals as a result of joining an organization. But if that’s your only goal, you’re likely to drop out fairly quickly.
If you want to get the most out of an organization, don’t just go to one or two meetings; attend regularly, volunteer, serve on a committee.
That’s how people will get to know you and how you’ll make the best contacts.
Every community has its share of organizations. Some types of groups you can join:
• Entrepreneur groups: In large and midsize cities, you’re likely to find many organizations bringing entrepreneurs togethe in associations or get-togethers.
• Industry associations: With more than 37,000 industry and professional associations in the United States, it’s likely there’s a local chapter locally.
• Group-specific entrepreneur associations: You’ll find business organizations aimed at women, minorities, religious groups, gays, youth, etc.
• Civic organizations: Most communities have organizations dedicated to various causes. You’re certain to find groups such as Rotary International, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.
To find a group, look to:
• Community calendar published in the business section or Web site of your local newspaper.
• Small Business Development Centers. (To find a contact for a SBDC office n your state, go to www.asbdc.org.)
• Web sites of trade associations. You can find a list of many associations at my Web site www. planningshop.com/associations.
• Web sites of civic organizations.
Check an Internet directory, such as Yahoo’s directory of community organizations, or the site of the specific group, such as www.rotary.org or www.kiwanis.org.
Rhonda Abrams is the author of “Six-Week Start-Up” and “What Business Should I Start?”
