• Review the 4 Walls web site, both the external and internal pages
• Review the Membership Overview to learn more about member benefits
• Talk to 4 Walls members, those in the same/similar type of business or someone you already know
• Attend a 4 Walls meeting, or possibly an event where members are exhibiting
  
• Submit your 4 Walls application:
• Download 1 page Application Part 1
  
• Complete and mail with check
• You'll get a confirmation note so you know your application has been received
  

Get Online - will likely be your focus as soon as you sign up. Most people don't realize how much work can be involved in gathering content to create even a single web page. To get you online quickly, we've broken the process up into several, small steps as follows:

• Add your name and business name to appropriate Create - Maintain - Enhance categories. A link to email you will be included.
• Create a mini business card listing as a placeholder until your business web page is launched
• Lets you submit your business logo and profile information - see Application Part 2
  
• Develop your business web page
• Requires input per Application Part 3, plus supporting photos of your work and you

• Try to participate in at least one chapter meeting each month. Only when other members get to know you as a person and become knowledgeable about your business, can they start referring business to you.
• One-on-one meetings are also important to find those members with the best synergy to your business.
• Find a buddy in your local chapter by meeting with 3 members during your first 3 months. Your buddy is someone who will learn more about you, your business and provide you with critical advice and feedback ... when you're building your web page, creating a brochure, etc.
• Buddy system (overview to be developed) is optional, and highly recommended for all solo business owners.
  
• Review the 4 Walls community pages - events, news (to be developed) and community (to be developed). You want to get ideas for how you can promote your business via one/more of these pages, i.e. you probably have been a volunteer somewhere in your community forever ... and never realized how this can help you grow your business.
  
• Review the 4 Walls customer newsletter, 4 Walls 4 You! and identify ways to contribute.
  
• Get your list of family, friends and customers organized. Every new member has the opportunity to send an introductory 4 Walls newsletter to this list (sample introduction letter in process).

• Business cards which tell your story
  
• Developing your business handout, from a simple card to a tri-fold brochure
  
• Display board for open houses and small events where you display solo
• Workshop outline and handout for mini workshops done at some open houses
  

• Write an article for the 4 Walls library.
  
• Write an article for publication in a local newspaper or magazine like the NH Mirror
• Participate in the monthly "social media" conference call where peers share their experience using different web sites like WhoFish and ActiveRain
• Target start date for these calls is May '08