How to Really Benefit from Associations (Part 1 of 3-Part Series)

You have permission to publish this article electronicallyor in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines areincluded. A courtesy copy of your publication would beappreciated - send to: diana@ohiohelp.net How to Really Benefit from Associations (Part 1 of 3-Part Series)Looking for new leads, new contacts, new business opportunities?Do what nine out of 10 adults do, according to a recent articleby the American Society of Association Executives. Join anAssociation. Choose from over 130,000 associations in the UnitedStates alone that represent practically any industry at national,international, regional, state and local levels.How can you reap benefits from association contacts?OhioHelp.net, an Ohio-based company that helps businesses worldwide with their marketing, public relations and freelance writing services, shared tips based on their own client projects and Association affiliations in a 3-part series:·Part I: “How to Develop Industry Contacts”·Part II: “Tips For Improved Networking in Associations”·Part III: “Researching Associations in Your Industries”Part I:HOW TO DEVELOP INDUSTRY CONTACTS1.Keep lists of industry associations that your company and clients are affiliated with handy.2.Bookmark the association websites and place their contactinformation in separate computer and print folders.3.Contact all associations where appropriate and let them knowthat as a member and affiliate with your client who is a member,you’d like them to add your personal mailing info & email addressto their member lists so that you get their member guides,newsletters, press releases & other announcements, etc.4.Stay in touch monthly or bi-monthly with association contactsyou meet either in person or via the phone, fax or email. Attendevents when possible and volunteer on committees. When you can’tattend, ask for minutes of the meetings or follow up in the nextnewsletter. Follow up & congratulate speakers & other (workshop)presenters; asked to be placed on their mailing lists, etc. Notethat many groups still have difficulties with electroniccommunications, so reach out with the phone. Note: If emailing,keep your emails in the “Sent” folder until you hear back. If youdon’t hear back, your email most probably never reached therecipient, so call to touch base.5.Log communications in a notebook or separate online file andfollow up.6.Keep hard copy folders for each organization to hold themembership guide, latest newsletter, URL & other contact info.What works well is to use 3-ring plastic page inserts where youcan insert a bunch of papers, a brochure & other goodies into onepacket, then just insert the entire pack into a 3-ring binder. Orfile the plastic packets in a file cabinet for quick retrieval.7.Take advantage of online aids. For example, keep up with thelatest info to discuss with group members by joining an ebook club: http://presssuccess.com/wholesale . And share your own company /industry tips, news & other automation enhancements (likeelectronic downloads of your own ebooks & reports) withhttp://presssuccess.com/AutoPilot .SPECIAL OFFERFor a 30-day no-cost trial of ProfitAuto, sign up online athttp://presssuccess.com/AutoPilot . And download ebooks withloads of information to help with your business from the“Freebies” section of the OhioHelp.net bookstore athttp://www.presssuccess.com/bookstore