Whether you’ve recently signed up or have been a member for years, membership in a networking organization can be a valuable choice in growing your business. And yet, as members, we don’t always take full advantage of the opportunities our associations, chambers, and clubs offer us. With today’s economy it is even more important to get every bit of benefit possible from the dues we pay.
There is companion to this article, “Joined a Networking Organization? 7 Strategies to Get More Value, Benefits, and Exposure.” Here is a quick review of those seven ideas:
- Know the Benefits
- Develop a Relationship with the Staff
- Be Consistent - Be Persistent
- Be Insistent
- Offer an Exclusive Discount
- Advertise Your Membership
The possibilities of any good-sized organization are nearly limitless, so here are four more strategies to get more worth from your dues.
Strategy #1: Take a Leadership Position
Most organizations have a Board of Directors, committees, or events. They need people to lead these groups and plan the events. In networking, it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. Being a leader means you’re in front of a larger number of people at once, letting them get to know you better.
Strategy #2: Refer New Members to the Organization
The first rule of receiving is to give first. If you make the effort to refer new members to the organization you are accomplishing two very important things that will benefit you in the long run. First, you are strengthening the organization so that it becomes a bigger pool of resources. Second, you are earning the gratitude and esteem of the organization staff and leadership. They will consider your first for referrals and they may even actively seek referral opportunities to show you their thanks.
Strategy #3: Volunteer in the Office
The more you learn about the inner workings of the organization, the better you are able to understand how to participate. By offering your assistance, you are showing yourself to be a resource to the organization and the staff. You will again earn their gratitude and appreciation. And if their office is anything like the Clovis Chamber office, it will be a hub of activity, presenting you with regular opportunities to meet new business and community leaders.
Strategy #4: Offer to Teach & Mentor Other Members
An advanced networking strategy is to establish yourself as an expert. If your area of expertise is something of interest to other members, offer to provide a free seminar or training once a month. Ask the organization to sponsor and promote the event. They may do this in return for the value of your time and knowledge. If you cannot arrange a seminar though them, simply approach and offer to help other members. You’ll again be perceived as a leader and the best way to get is to give first.
When you combine these four strategies, plus the seven ideas from my previous article, you have a wide range of tools to select from. Decide what works for you based on your interests and time; not all of these will be possible. But even one or two strategies to leverage your membership can pay off in the short-term and will definitely make your membership worth more to you in the long run.
About the Author: Beth Bridges is The Networking Motivator™ and creator of the 5 Part Networking Success Plan ™, a simple networking system that can help anyone from business owners to sales agents to college students develop a powerful network. Subscribe to the weekly Networking Motivator Newsletter at www.thenetworkingmotivator.com for a quick boost of networking inspiration, information and motivation.”
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