Build Your Brand through a Black Business Association Membership

It’s important than ever for African American small business owners to operate outside the box. One of the best ways to do this is to optimize your membership in a black business association, and start creating profitable opportunities galore. Many cities across the United States have a black Chamber of Commerce, for example, and there are many local industry groups that offer your major networking and business opportunities, too.

But here’s the headline: Being a member of a black business association isn’t just about showing up for the occasional meeting. Turn this into a harder working business strategy and start mining out profits for your time. These are excellent networking and marketing opportunities that we too often simply fail to fully develop.

To get the most out of your membership, consider implementing some of the following marketing tactics:

Get more involved. One of best things you can do to maximize your membership in a black business association is, quite simply, Start attending the seminars, workshops and conferences offered by most black business associations will build your networking muscle. Golf outings, holiday parties, and other events also offer an opportunity to bond with members and solidify new connections.
 
Optimize your visibility on their website. Another under-utilized tool is often the website of a black business association. Get your business listed in their member directory. Purchase a banner ad on their website. Write articles for them or request they interview you and create a feature story profiling your business model or unique service.

Offer your business as a good case study to showcase. Find out if your black business association offers exposure in both print and online, both locally and nationally. Many business associations often write press releases and provide exposure for their members’ accomplishments and achievements through newsletters, in press kits, with speaking opportunities and more.

Tap the power of giveaways to build momentum. Offer a few key members of the black business association your product or service for free. Not only is this a smart investment toward establishing various beneficial business relationships, it usually delivers you word of mouth referrals and testimonials. 

Leverage your leadership for more connections and exposure. Although it requires a significant time commitment, start playing a leadership role and head up committee. This increases your visibility both in the association and in your community. Also consider sponsoring a few of their events. All of these present good public relations opportunities, where you probably can achieve media exposure.

While it’s beneficial to build your brand through involvement with a black business association, it’s also important to network within other organizations like Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary your fraternity, sorority, church groups and beyond. You can’t do them all, but you can be strategic in selecting which associations will satisfy your business needs as well as your interest in community development.

Black e-Commerce offers small business owners and entrepreneurs two ways to help optimize your organizational support:

• Learn more about our small business coaching services, where we work closely with you to plan every component of your business marketing and much more.
  

• Consider investing in our black PR toolkit: “PR Secrets Unplugged.” This one-of-a-kind e-book gives you everything you’ll need to start securing more publicity. Use this comprehensive step-by-step to publicize your leadership with a black business association and all other activities that may merit media exposure.
  

Consider every member you meet in a black business association a potential customer, joint venture partner, or marketing vehicle. And also start thinking of each as a potential opportunity to publicize some aspect of the relationship. Do this with discipline and commitment, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many great pieces of new business start coming your way!