Deciding which group is right for you should be based on the nature of the your business and the types of contacts that you need to make. If you are the owner of an employment service or staffing agency, for example, it would make sense for you to become involved in the Society of Human Resource Management, both at the national level and in the local market where your business operates. Doing so will allow you to stay current with what is going on in the HR field as well as provide you with an opportunity to get to know human resource management practitioners in your local community, as well as vendors who work within this market.
Alternately, if you own a video production service or public relations agency, it might make more sense for you to become a member of the American Advertising Federation or Public Relations Society of America chapters in your area. That way, you will have an opportunity to cultivate relationships with people who are likely to need and utilize your services at one time or another. If your business specializes in creating websites for real estate agents and brokers, it would be beneficial for you to pursue membership in your local Board of Realtors association as a way to get to know the right people.
To find the groups that best meet your needs, talk to other people you know who own or work in similar businesses in your market and elsewhere, to see what organizations they belong to and find out what benefits they experience. Additionally, conduct an Internet search for local small business professional association chapters for your particular profession to learn more about what chapters exist in your region. Visit a few meetings as a group so that you can experience the organizations you are considering joining and then make a decision to get involved in the ones that seem to offer the greatest benefit to you.
