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 — entrepreneur organizations, industry associations, women's business groups, local chambers of commerce, and more.
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, learn your industry and make important contacts than when I was starting my company.
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 on how to handle a problem or price your services, you'll find people who can refer you to these sources based on their own experience.
• Education: Many groups, especially entrepreneur and industry associations, provide valuable information and training. They can help you stay on top of current trends and sharpen your skills.
• Friends: You can meet people who become your personal friends, regardless of any business connection or benefit.
• New business: 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 together, whether it's a formal entrepreneur association or informal 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 of your industry association in your community.
• Group-specific entrepreneur associations: You'll find business organizations aimed at women, minorities, religious groups, gays, youth, immigrants and more.
• Civic organizations: In some communities, you'll find organizations dedicated to civic or world affairs, politics or social causes. In virtually every town, you're certain to find service groups such as Rotary International, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.
Check these to find out if there's a group that's right for you in your town:
• Business section and/or Web site of your local newspaper for calendar of meetings/events of entrepreneur groups.
• Community calendar of your local newspaper for upcoming meetings of civic organizations.
• Small Business Development Centers for a list of local entrepreneur groups. (To find a contact for an SBDC office in your state, go to www.asbdc.org.)
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