The Balance Careers
Learn About Sales Associations and Organizations
  • Finding a Job
    • Job Searching
    • Career Planning
    • Internships
    • Work-From-Home-Jobs
    • View All
  • Career Paths
    • US Military Careers
    • Sales
    • Entertainment Careers
    • Technology Careers
    • View All
  • Succeeding at Work
    • Human Resources
    • Management & Leadership
    • Women in Business
    • Work-Family Balance
    • View All
visit our other sites
Sales
  • Job Search
  • Sales Careers
  • Entry Level Jobs
  • High Paying Jobs
  • How to Sell
  • Industry Trends
  • Sales Management
  • Selling Smarter
  • Presentations
  • Phone Sales
  • Managing Leads
  • Sales Plan of Action
  • Closing Skills
  • Retail Careers
  • Glossary
  • All Sales
    Sales Job Search

    Learn About Sales Associations and Organizations

    • Share
    • Flip
    • Pin
    • Share
    • Email
    By Thomas Phelps
    Updated August 07, 2018

    Beyond the network of friends, co-workers and businesses associates that you may have (and should!) there are many sales professionals who seek maximize their careers by joining sales-focused associations or organizations that provide training, guidance, and support beyond what a sales professional's employer provides. Choosing which association to join is largely a personal matter. The best thing you can do is to explore the top-rated associations and judge for yourself which one promises to deliver the greatest value to you.​​

  • 01
    National Association of Sales Professionals

    Creative businesswoman with laptop listening in meeting
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    The National Association of Sales Professionals, better known as NASP, serves as a valuable resource for sales professionals in all industries. NASP provides much more than most associations. Beyond sales and personal development articles, NASP provides a sales-only job board, free seller-style analysis's, a news stream dedicated to sales-related news, a library of resources geared to sales, marketing and social media and a sales-certification area.

    NASP offers a 45-day sales certification program that goes well beyond basic sales skills and challenges participants to improve any of their weaknesses that could negatively affect more than just their sales performance.

    The NASP certification is called CPSP, and stands for "Certified Professional Sales Person." For those looking to add additional credibility to their resume and to improve their chances when job searching, adding sales focused certification may set them apart from others or give them the competitive edge needed to close a big deal. The NASP website proudly states that the CPSP certification is truly non-industry specific and can provide value to all in positions of influence.

    NASP is free to join, which adds to its popularity. The CPSP certification, as well as other certifications offered by NASP, are fee-based. Since NASP has a history of consistent growth and improvements, visiting the site frequently is suggested.

  • 02
    The Sales Association

    Business people networking and checking in at conference
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    The Sales Association is a professional society that offers networking and professional development for corporate sales professionals. The Sales Association is dedicated to company, team and individual sales performance improvement.

    The Sales Association’s membership is experienced - 47% Sales Directors, Vice Presidents and executive level -- and 53% of members have 11 or more years professional sales experience.

    The Sales Association offers a sales-focused certification called the CSC, which stands for Consultative Sales Certified. In addition to the self-paced learning on the consultative sales process, each program participant is paired with a coach. Participants are given on-the-job homework associated with each subject, which they apply to actual sales activities. Your coach will help you apply the concepts and then assess your progress. Thus you not only learn online but apply the learning on the job and receive coaching on the results.

    This "for-fee" certification awards Association members who complete the course a full curriculum, dedicated to learning about the consultative sales approach. Completing the course demonstrates not only that a sales professional is dedicated to the sales industry but also understands the importance of the consultative sales approach.

  • 03
    The Sales Management Association

    Business people networking in office lobby
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    Who says that only sales professionals should get all the attention? Certainly not The Sales Management Association, which is dedicated to providing career-relevant content for sales leaders.

    The Sales Management Association offers both free content and members-only content. Check the website for information on membership costs and benefits.

  • 04
    American Association of Inside Sales Professions

    Attentive businesswoman listening in conference audience
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    Inside sales positions are very popular for both those new to sales and career sales professionals.

    While many tend to group all sales careers into a general "sales" grouping, the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals focuses on those in or interested in a career in inside sales.

  • 05
    Local and Regional Associations

    Businessman presenting project in meeting room
    Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

    Beyond the associations listed in this article, there are many associations that serve sales professionals within specific geographic areas. While each of these associations functions differently, many are similar to a Chamber of Commerce. The most probable difference between these associations and a Chamber of Commerce is that associations are more focused on the sales industry while Chambers are more general in their focus.

  • Brian Tracy

    Follow These 7 Steps to Get Success in Sales

  • Businessmen shaking hands in cafe

    What Is the Assumptive Close?

  • CeBIT 2012 Technology Trade Fair

    What is the Best Smartphone for Sales Reps?

  • Salesman and female customer using digital tablet in car dealership

    Top 5 Reasons Why Sales People Are Fun to Be Around

  • Get a Review of Mastering Influence by Anthony Robbins

  • Business Graph

    What It Takes to Succeed in Sales

  • Salesman talking to woman in automobile showroom

    What are Sales Quotas?

  • a business woman conversing with co-workers

    How Being a Positive Thinker Will Get You Great Career Results

  • Salesman talking man in automobile showroom

    Understanding Your Quota and Owning It.

  • Silhouette business people handshaking on sunny urban bridge over Thames River, London, UK

    Big or Small? What's Best for Your Sales Career?

  • Businessmen shaking hands

    How to Overcome the Fear of Closing a Sale

  • Graduates tossing caps into the air

    Here Is a Look at the Sales Jobs Available Without a College Degree

  • Accepting a new job

    What Are Offer Letters?

  • Saleswoman assisting a businessman in a clothing store

    Learn About the Different Types Sales Commission

  • A woman taking photo of pottery to be sold

    How to Sell to Friends and Family

  • team with hands in middle

    Learn About the Elements and Importance of a Good Sales Team

Our Best Money Tips, Delivered
You're in! Thanks for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Facebook Pinterest Twitter Flipboard Linkedin
  • Finding a Job
  • Career Paths
  • Succeeding at Work
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
Also from The Balance Team
The Balance
The Balance Small Business
The Balance Careers is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
  • Lifewire
  • ThoughtCo
  • TripSavvy
  • The Spruce
  • and more