Trade Associations: A New Form of Networking
Seventy percent of Americans belong to one association. Twenty five percent belong to four or more associations. Our professional existence is held together by the network of people with whom we share common interests, even common goals. As technology gives us new ways to link up, communicate and share ideas, our need to identify with a collective presence reflects our need to become more significant. Today, this need is being fulfilled by privately organized, managed and funded trade associations.
For-Profit
If there is anything that drives any venture to succeed, the principal motivation is profit - the commercial purpose for which any trade activity exists. Because we still maintain a mindset that associations should not be a money-making venture, it is difficult to imagine a trade association as a for-profit representative body of a particular trade.
However, as the efficiency, agility and productiveness of for-profit trade associations become evident, members become more confident that operating a for-profit trade association is the only way to guarantee that the association will remain productive and beneficial to its members.
Objectives
Unless your primary reason for creating a trade association is to lobby issues in Washington, your association's principal objective should more or less focus on information sharing.
If you are creating a trade association as a forum for its members to share ideas about their trade, it is essential that you provide your members this vehicle by which they can communicate, maybe even interact.
Beyond Membership
Since most associations get started with low membership dues, usually in the $20 to $30 bracket. Many associations are lucky to break even on membership dues alone. To guarantee its healthy existence, its financial foundations should expand beyond being exclusively dependent on membership dues.
Although most trade associations start off with a newsletter, it is in an ideal position to organize conventions (that provide members a forum to network, meet suppliers, and hear experts) which can be a prime money-maker for the association.
Related Articles
All-Cruise Travel Club
Minimum Start-Up: $500 Average Start-UP: 10,000 Revenue: $25,000 - $250K Profits: $10,000/Month One Person Business: Yes
Couponing: How to Run an Easy and Profitable Business Selling Special Coupons
Look in your mailbox. What do you see almost every day? Coupons. Look in your newspaper. What do you see EVERY day? Coupons. It seems like coupons multiply like rabbits. Why? Prices are rising, unlike a majority of people's incomes.
The Boring Way to Become Wealthy
When some people think about becoming rich, they might imagine suddenly coming into a bunch of money. Maybe they'll win the lottery. Maybe a rich relative will die and leave a fortune to them. Or perhaps they'll suddenly make it as a famous actor. Planning to become wealthy this way is a non starter.
How to Sell Pine Cones
Ordinary pine cones, of any size, can be made to look almost exactly like tiny owls simply by adding "eyes" which can be purchased at any hobby or craft shop.
27 Service Businesses to Start Now
There are hundreds of opportunities in the service arena offering low-cost start-ups and high profit returns. Almost all can be run from home.
A Furniture Refinishing Business in Your Home
If you have a garage or work building and are willing to learn a craft, upholstering, re-upholstering and/or furniture refinishing would make an excellent home business.
16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches
16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches
How to Give Away Magazines and Make Great Profits
People are always interested in saving money. If you can develop a product or service that will help them save, you are almost guaranteed success.
How to Make $50 Mailing 150 Envelopes
Order 5,000 3 x 6 commission circulars from your printer selling $1.00 items that you earn 50% commission on every order you receive. Have your name printed on them - it will save you hours of stamping time.
Big Profits In The Sign Fabrication Business
A few years ago it would have been foolish to even consider a sign business unless you were well qualified to hand paint letters and illustrations.