Joining a Trade Organization

A trade organization, sometimes called a trade association, is a group that exists to promote and strengthen a particular industry or vocation. Dues-paying members of such organizations gain access to a wealth of resources that can help them improve their businesses. While some industries are dominated by a single trade organization, most are served by several national organizations plus regional groups. This can make it difficult to determine which group is best for your business, but there are some guidelines that can help you choose the right trade organization.

If you're operating on a tight budget, the cost of membership can rule out certain groups but otherwise dues alone should not be a factor in choosing a trade organization. While higher dues may indicate a wider range of member benefits, this is not always the case. Volunteer-run organizations, for example, often have much lower dues than groups with a paid staff, but can offer similar benefits because they don't have as much overhead. Membership cost should always be considered in the context of the benefits provided by an organization.

The greatest benefit of membership in a trade organization is the ability to call upon the experience and advice of other professionals in your chosen industry, so communication between members is very important. When considering a trade organization, find out how they distribute information and facilitate member communication. While newsletters, member directories, and "hotlines" for particular issues can be helpful, the most useful communication tool by far is an active mailing list or online forum. If a group has an active online group of some kind, you can simply post your questions and problems with requests for advice. In most cases, you will have responses from other members who have experienced similar situations by the end of the day. Online groups also give members a place to discuss marketing ideas, warn others about bad experiences with service providers, and occasionally just vent.

Many trade organizations provide their members with advertising or marketing opportunities. For example, most negotiate standard discounts for their members with magazines, web sites, and other advertising venues that cover the industry. Trade organizations that focus on small businesses may also offer members a chance to take advantage of marketing opportunities that would be too expensive for most members to afford alone-for example, a group booth at a major trade show or a full-page ad in the leading industry magazine.

Trade organizations may also offer a wide range of other benefits to their members. Some of these are industry-related, like discounts with particular service providers or listings in industry catalogs. Other benefits are of a more general nature, and can include things like group health plans, lower rates for credit card processing, and hotel or rental car discounts. While some benefits of this type may seem relatively minor, a large number of discounts and other perks is a good indication that the organization is always looking for ways to help its members.

Membership in a trade organization can be a valuable resource for any company, especially a small business or start-up. In addition to concrete business benefits, membership in such a group provides a member with a network of like-minded people with similar concerns and problems. The key is making sure that you join the organization that best compliments you and your business.