What Is a Professional Association?
(2 min read)
These are organizations that support like-minded people in pursuing their expertise, providing a networking and education opportunities. They are typically industry specific. The number and cost of available options vary widely. There is something for literally everyone!
Why Are They Useful?
Professional associations typically offer many benefits.
- Status – “People like us belong here”
- Authority – you can display the logo of the association to denote you’re part of “the club” that’s respected
- Education opportunities, typically at free or reduced rates for members
- Discounts with affiliated organizations or products
- Sense of professional responsibility – you “pay dues” to belong to the prestige or talking authority for the profession
- Make an impact on your chosen field – every association is grounded in the effort of volunteers
- Decision making authority – payment of dues tends to carry the weight (and responsibility) of voting to determine the direction of the association
How Do I Find One?
Depending on your career, such organizations may be rather limited (only a couple exist or even just one) and may be well known to those in the profession. Simply talk to folks in the field and ask about professional associations to begin your search for options.
A simple Google or AI search may generate results for you.
Join groups or activities on social media or locally and you’ll likely hear about worthy related associations.
Challenges
You may feel you relate to or could fit into multiple groups, not simply one. Just start somewhere.
- Consider something local in your community
- Look at the bigger picture and consider national-level organizations
- Find organizations that are related to your field of service
- Find organizations or clubs where your clients may be
Test A Few Out
Purchase the shortest length of time you can find – 6 months an option? – but understand most will be a one-year commitment.
Get involved—like REALLY involved!—to see if it resonates with you.
- Volunteer – there may even be extra perks or price reductions to offer your time and talents!
- Join discussion groups – interact, participate.
- Don’t just sit on the sidelines expecting any organization to fill your cup for you.
- Maybe you have multiple interests or focal points to nurture various needs – pick 1-2 to start.
- Attend events, online and in person, to recognize industry-leading names, resources, and possible mentors.
Once the membership period is completed, consider joining a couple of different ones if available to see if there’s a style or benefits you prefer.
My Take
I have held a membership with the Editorial Freelance Association for two years. This year, I decided to switch it up and try National Association of Independent Writers & Editors (NAIWE) to feed my editing background. I’m also a member of a couple of museum associations to develop that network. I have access to a couple of other in person networking associations locally that enable me to connect with folks in real time in person.
As a freelancer/solopreneur, involvement in my community helps me keep current on best practices in the field, news of the day, and amazing networking opportunities to learn from others and share what I may know.
If you’re not involved in associations, I highly recommend you consider it! If you’d like to chat with someone to just shoot some ideas, Let’s Chat by email or LinkedIn!