Joining a Small Business Association Could Mean a Boom in Business!

A Home Business Article Contributed by Elizabeth Fox-Wise

Millions of Small Businesses Choose to Join a Trade Association or Small Business Association.

According to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) there are more than 147, 000 small business associations in the United States. Most of these small business associations are state or local groups; others are national or international.

As a small business owner, you are probably wondering if it is worth it for you to join a small business association.

A recent national small business poll has shown that most successful small business owners are members of a trade or small business association. Poll results show that approximately sixty percent of small-business owners belong to at least one business organization and more than two-fifths of all small business owners are members of two or more associations.

Although American small business owners take pride in their independence, they overwhelming report finding a significant value to belonging to a small business association. And it appears as if membership in these associations have a direct correlation with small business success rates.

What are the Advantages of Small Business Association Membership?

The most commonly reported reason for joining a small business association is to have access to information regarding government rules and the obligations that their small business must follow.

Another commonly sited reason for joining a small business association is industry or community promotion; followed closely by specific technical information about their particular industry.

Perhaps even more importantly for some small business owners, is access to goods and services at discounted rates. The sheer number of members in any given small business association provides a collective buying power which, in theory anyway, allows small business owners access to affordable goods and services at comparable prices to those given to larger corporations. The most valuable of these is probably Health Insurance, which, without association membership, is typically too costly for most small business owners.

Choosing a Small Business Association to Join

Which small business association you choose to join has a lot to do with what you want to get from the small business association.

If your business is looking primarily for local contacts, a local small business association might be the right choice for you.

National associations, on the other hand, are most useful if you are looking for certification, education, or to stay on top of industry trends. Many national associations publish newsletters, produce Web sites and sponsor shows and conventions to help members stay on top of trends and contacts within their field.

Both local and national small business associations provide access to discounted products and services; such as office supplies and Health Insurance plans.

Once you have decided what you are looking to get out of a small business association membership, the next step is to compare the cost of membership to the benefits received. The cost of membership in a small business association can range anywhere from twenty-eight dollars a month, all the way up to millions of dollars a year!

Finding the small business association that is right for you is simply a matter of comparing and contrasting the costs to the benefits until one stands out as being the best choice for your needs.