I'll be the first to admit that I went a little nuts when I moved I moved recently in terms of going all-out to participate in a variety of professional associations. I had some experience with most of the groups that I visited in other places I had lived, or had clients who had positive experiences with certain groups. I was so eager to become involved again in professional associations that instead of really paying attention to a group as it exists locally, I made decisions to join groups based on my past experiences and experiences of clients.
After a few months (and about $1500 in dues paid), I realized I had made a grave mistake. I knew I had failed to keep in mind a few essential thoughts as I evaluated the appropriateness of renewing membership dues to various groups as a way to build my business. Here's what I've learned:
1. Determine your professional association dues budget for the year before joining anything. I foolishly just kept paying membership dues, without giving consideration as to the total picture of what I'd spent in dues for the year. Set your spending limits and stick to those and in a year evaluate if it's worth your time and money to continue participating in the group.
2. Assess the true amount of time you have to fully participate in a group. As I was thinking about going to group meetings, I only factored in the actual monthly meeting--not the networking time, not the committee time, not the special event time. You may determine that you have much less time than you think.
3. Make sure the target market of your business is represented in the group. I joined one group thinking that it would be full of women business owners, as that had been my experience elsewhere. The Little Rock chapter was filled with women who were happily employed for someone else--not a good match for my needs in terms of building my business.
4. Visit the group the maximum number of times you are permitted to do so as a guest. Instead of doing this, I based my joining decision on one visit and impressions of the group I had gleaned from other areas of the country. You really need to assess whether this group in this location will meet your needs, as each chapter within an association can be dramatically different. The local members really do make or break a group.
5. Set your intention of your outcome before you decide to join the group. Are you joining to socialize, to find a date, get industry-specific education, meet other business people, or to build business relationships and make sales? Having a clear goal and focus and evaluating those goals in terms of realistically achieving those in the group should factor into your decision-making process.
6. Acknowledge that it might take you a year or more -- in the right group -- to build the trust others need to have in order to do business with you. Don't expect to walk into a group of people who do not know you and expect them to buy what you're selling or to enter into a joint venture with you. They have to get to know, like, and respect you before they're interested in doing business with you.
7. If you decide to join a group, you need to join a committee or two to get to know the membership. Simply showing up once or twice a month to a meeting will not help you get to know the other members of the group. It is at the committee level where the real networking occurs and where you will develop deeper relationships with other members of your association.
8. Ensure that the groups you join don't have essentially the same membership. If you're attending various group meetings and you see the same faces again and again, your time and money would probably be better spent diversifying your professional association memberships.
9. Is your industry over-represented in the group? I've attended some meetings of groups that were full of real estate agents or financial planners, and the group wasn't a professional association of either industry. Make sure your group is well-balanced in terms of member industries and that there is room within the group for someone from your industry to join without stepping on toes.
10. Only participate in groups that meet at a time of day when you're at your best. If you're not an early morning person, those "rise and shine" breakfast meetings probably won't work for you. Several groups I joined in Little Rock meet during lunch, and I've discovered that the middle of the day is the most difficult time for me to get away. Consequently, I've reduced the number of groups to which I belong who have lunchtime meetings, as that's just not convenient for me.
Joining professional associations can be a very powerful tool for growing your business--if approached with forethought and planning. Take some time this week to determine how this strategy fits into your overall business marketing strategy.
Copyright 2005 by Donna Gunter.
You may reprint in its entirety as along as the following attribution is made:
Donna Gunter is a Self-Employment Expert and Small Business Coach. She helps overwhelmed self-employed professionals become masterful managers of their businesses by coaching, training, and consulting with them on 8 key strategies proven to help them work smarter and make more.
Visit her website at http://www.self-employment-success.com and subscribe to her newsletter - Work Smarter Make More.
We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More
Announcements can be handed out as a business cardAnnouncements can... Read More
One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More
What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More
There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More
Free money! Receive up to $25,000 that never has to... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More
Owning a small business in Wichita, KS might not be... Read More
How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More
Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More
Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More
What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More
Before you read any further in this article, I'd like... Read More
"I don't know the key to success, but the key... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
Running a business, whether large, small or in your home,... Read More
How careful are you with the data you collect from... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More
Last summer the FTC put forth a report and then... Read More
The story is told of a tiger chasing some goats... Read More
Starting a business? For many people, the bravery to venture... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More
Commonly folks have asked me what the technical difference is... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
Everything starts with a business plan: If you don't have... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell... Read More
Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More
When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More
What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with... Read More
A few years ago, I visited Beijing for the first... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Most business owners do not think of selling their companies... Read More
Costs of over regulation and over disclosure end up hurting... Read More
With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More
Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More
The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More
The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated... Read More
Today required franchise disclosure documents are over 200 pages generally.... Read More
I am simply amazed at the problems some of my... Read More
How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More
Every employee would like to earn as high a salary... Read More
Canon City, Colorado is known for it's 6 Prisons; State... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
What does it take to grow a business and run... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
Small Business |