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If you ask marketing experts about ways to increase your visibility and find
new customers, chances are one of the first things they’ll recommend is to get
involved in your industry’s trade association or become active in your local
Chamber of Commerce. Both of these recommendations can open doors for you in
personal and professional arenas.
Here are some ways to help you get started in making such connections right
now:
Locate an Association. If you want to find an association
that fits your business, you can start with the American Society of Association
Executives (http://www.asaecenter.org/), where you are
able to use an interactive keyword search that allows you to sort through
thousands of associations and organizations. Also, ask other professionals in
your industry about the associations in which they belong.
Find a Chamber of Commerce. If you want to become involved
in a Chamber of Commerce in a community close to where you live, go to http://www.uschamber.com/. This site offers
a chamber location tool in order to pinpoint meetings in your area.
Belonging to associations or local chambers of commerce can provide many
benefits, including:
- Mentoring opportunities
- Networking
- Increased business visibility
- Increased name recognition
- Idea exchange opportunities
Getting your face and name out there can help your business grow, and will
afford you the opportunities to increase your customer base and expand your
professional experiences. | 
