Many of us started our home businesses on a shoestring budget—this means there isn’t a lot of money for regular business expenses, let alone things like marketing, advertising, and memberships to professional organizations. It takes some serious thinking to evaluate whether the annual dues and/or membership fee in a local or national professional group is worth the expense. It depends partially on what you bring to and can get out of the organization, and partially on how it affects your business and professional development.
Belonging to professional organizations can serve several purposes: there are the networking opportunities—including meetings, events, referrals, etc.; there may also be some prestige involved with your saying you are a member—it may be one of those things that when you add it to your credentials or your business information, it actually adds to your credibility; professional organizations can also provide training and support opportunities for your business (such as a women’s business network or a chamber of commerce). All of these “pluses” can be very good reasons to become involved and join a professional organization.
On the down side, you may pay a hefty membership fee and then you are so busy with the actual running of your business that you are unable to attend meetings and events, or really get anything out of your membership (other than saying you’re a member and maybe getting listed in the group directory). If prestige and credibility is what you’re after, then it may be fine to join a group where there are minimum meetings, or you are unable to participate on an active level. However, if the group is really geared toward participation and involvement, it may be a waste of money to join if you can’t fully participate.
Depending on the organization, there may be various levels of membership and various levels at which you can participate. This way, you can pay for a membership level that is appropriate to your circumstance and attend meetings, workshops, events, etc. as you are able. You can still benefit from the networking opportunities and business support—but it might be a membership you can match to fit your needs.
Of course, it will depend on the type of business you are in and just exactly what you hope to get out of membership in a professional organization—but don’t join just because you think you “should”—evaluate whether it is a good fit for you and your business, and search for organizations you feel really add to your professional development.