What are the benefits of joining a business membership organization?
Businesses and professionals join business membership organizations to network, improve their skills and access exclusive resources. Such organizations facilitate collaboration and encourage innovative ideas, leading to more business and career opportunities.
Membership organizations also serve as industry voices. They influence industry policies and push certain advocacies forward. The organization serves as a holistic platform for people with a shared purpose, such as professionals within an industry.
While many membership perks are enticing, some organizations benefit you more than others. Certain questions and criteria can tell you which is worth the investment. When choosing the right organization, begin with a specific goal in mind. In this article, Business Consumer Alliance breaks down what memberships can do for you and how you can select the right one.
What Is a Business Membership Organization?
A business membership organization, or business membership association, is a for-profit or nonprofit organization composed of individuals with common goals. These goals may include career advancement, protection of industry interests and increased business visibility. To cater to such goals, organizations often provide relevant resources and organize activities, such as workshops and conferences.
Common examples of business membership organizations include the following.
- Professional associations: Professional associations are comprised of professionals who aim to improve their skills and advocate for their interests. Examples include the American Bar Association for legal professionals and the American Medical Association for medical professionals.
- Trade associations: Trade associations are created by businesses within an industry to set standards, address issues and influence regulatory changes. Examples include the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) for retailers and ASTM International for manufacturers and related industries.
- Educational associations: Educational associations support the education sector, including teachers, students and institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is one example.
- Charitable associations: Charitable associations are nonprofits that support social and philanthropic causes and rely on donations and volunteer activities. Habitat for Humanity is an example.
7 Benefits of Joining a Business Membership Organization
Business membership organizations shape industries. They encourage collaboration and growth, facilitating knowledge transfers from seasoned professionals to those early in their careers. Memberships can also be voluntary or mandatory. The benefits should help you decide whether to join one.
1. Discounted Business Resources and Assistance
With certain memberships, organizations offer discounts and exclusive deals on products and services. You may get:
- Conference discounts that cover the cost of the membership.
- Price deals for office supplies, furniture and equipment.
- Subscriptions for industry-specific software and other productivity suites.
Membership organizations may also offer assistance with business operations, such as marketing, legal, human resources and customer service. For instance, some organizations provide a virtual storefront for your advertisements. Others assist with customer nonpayments.
Organizations can also get funding opportunities. For instance, the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a year-long funding program for organizations that increase innovation, research and development, and awards of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also funds grants for small businesses that research and develop biomedical technology.
An organization can help you secure such grants or look for loans and investors. They may also help you prepare business proposals and other required documents to increase your chances of approval. If you’re looking for trusted providers, your organization can also help you out. This lets you rely on firsthand information instead of researching online for testimonials.
2. Networking Opportunities
Networking events are a great way to build relationships with fellow professionals and industry leaders. You can also meet potential partners and get referrals for new clients.
Collaborating with like-minded individuals sparks innovative ideas. This can bring about new business opportunities and enhance your current professional capabilities.
Networking also enables you to find a mentor and gain practical, exclusive insights. You can ask for advice on roadblocks or how to navigate your career. Experts may also share about their previous mistakes and how you can avoid them. In turn, you can share your own experiences and build meaningful long-term connections.
Some business membership associations organize virtual coffee chats where you can connect with fellow members one-on-one. This makes exchanging ideas easier and encourages peer-to-peer support for any issues concerning your profession. Live question-and-answer sessions and leadership roundtables with industry experts also help you get answers to your inquiries. Some organizations may have online member forums for ongoing discussions.
3. Increased Visibility
To increase your visibility and credibility online and in person, an organization may feature your business on its:
- Website or online member directories
- Social media platforms
- Email campaigns
- Press releases
- Local events
Local or industry-specific events get your business in front of customers. This lets you showcase your products or services and receive real-time feedback. Online promotions also increase your audience reach. Membership information on your business website improves customer trust, as it shows that you take your industry practices seriously.
If you’re a professional, membership spotlights highlight your contributions and achievements. You may even get recognition awards, potentially opening up new opportunities.
4. Educational Resources, Training and Workshops
Continuing education is essential in upskilling. Business membership organizations provide training, certifications, seminars and workshops where you can improve or learn new, in-demand skills that benefit your career long-term. These trainings expand your knowledge of industry standards. They also help you remain consistent and competitive, especially with the changing industry trends.
Some organizations offer large libraries of online books and audiobooks, so you can grow your skills any time. They may help you learn about the latest trends and challenges and discover in-depth industry insights. For instance, if you’re a new business owner, then business education resources are crucial. They can teach you which direction to take your business and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.
Depending on the organization, you access resources or attend events like:
- Journal subscriptions
- Research papers and case studies
- Email newsletters
- Podcast episodes
- Webinars
- Digital workshops
- Hackathons
- Mentorship programs
5. Résumé Enhancement
Organization memberships in your résumé increase credibility. They show your commitment and proactivity regarding your career development. The new skills and opportunities you gained from the training and conferences also show that you practice what you learn. Being active in your industry demonstrates that you care about its advancement.
Additionally, shifts in the labor market, whether due to technological advancements, economic shifts or green transition, affect job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, about 92 million jobs will be displaced while 170 million jobs will be created within the decade. Upskilling maintains your competitive edge and makes your résumé attractive to potential employers.
6. Advocacy Support
Business membership organizations have missions or goals. They advocate for their members regarding policies that affect such goals. A strong, collective stance is essential in influencing industry regulations. As such, organizations hear out their members’ concerns and take the necessary steps that lead to favorable outcomes. They can also help you build professional relationships with policymakers or government officials.
7. Community Engagement
Joining business membership organizations can help you give back to the community. Through volunteering activities tied to your professional skills, you can share your expertise with those who would benefit from it. For instance, you may get the chance to lead a workshop for students within your industry.
Your organization may also participate in community outreach programs. The organization may partner with other nonprofits and help address local needs. For instance, they may organize charity fundraisers to support causes aligned with their values. This strengthens your shared purpose and extends it outside of your profession.
Joining such events and committees also offers leadership opportunities. They enhance your soft skills that benefit you in your day-to-day job. These activities also encourage more interaction and collaboration, helping you maximize your membership.
Is Joining a Professional Organization Worth It?
Whether it’s worth joining a professional organization depends on your goals. Some professionals join multiple organizations if it benefits them, since different organizations cater to different goals. The following questions can determine whether joining is worth it.
1. What’s Your Goal for Joining an Organization?
Before you apply to any organization, know what you want to get out of the membership. For instance, maybe you want to further your career. Professional organizations help you build your connections and interact with industry professionals. You also get to build relationships beyond your company and access strategies not available in your close circle.
Maybe you want to get to know your audience better. Trade organizations can help you connect with prospective clients and build out your audience. They also help you understand your customers’ pain points and offer better services.
2. Are You Interested in the Organization’s Opportunities?
If you’re looking to join an organization due to its conferences, maintaining a membership can be worth it. The difference in conference fees between members and nonmembers can be significant. The organization’s library with thousands of resources can also make the fee worthwhile. Acquiring similar resources on your own can be costly.
Perhaps you want to make it easier to learn about the latest trends. An organization’s newsletter or journals can make it convenient. Maybe your role models are also part of a certain organization. You might learn the insights they know about if you join the same organization.
When making a choice, consider your interests and the membership benefits available in the organization. This encourages you to actively engage in its activities, instead of becoming a passive member when you’re paying fees.
3. Is It Mandatory?
Some organization memberships may be mandatory depending on your industry. For instance, you may come across a journal run by professional associations that requires membership to publish or attend conferences. While other memberships are not mandatory, they can still increase your industry credibility.
Joining an organization doesn’t have to be a one-time decision. You can always leave voluntary memberships if the organization is not the right fit. To decide if you should stay or leave, consider:
- The amount of time you spend with the organization.
- The referrals and opportunities you get.
- If you’re getting something in return for your investment.
A business membership organization can take time away from your personal relationships and hobbies. Consider how much of a time investment you’re willing to make that won’t sacrifice your happiness and is sustainable in the long term.
How to Select a Business Membership Organization
With the many business membership organizations, developing a criteria list to evaluate the organization can help ensure you’re spending your time and money wisely.
- Size: Some organizations are larger than others. Their scope can also be at the regional, national or international level.
- Resources: Consider whether the organization offers industry-specific research, workshops and certifications. Do they offer exclusive content for members?
- Membership structure: Instead of subscription fees, some organizations offer free, tiered, one-time fee, donation-based and event-based membership. The fees you pay may affect the benefits you’ll receive. You may also get tax-deductible membership fees.
Grow Your Career With Business Membership Organizations
Business membership organizations support the growth of their members, whether you are a professional or a business owner. They have a mission to serve and protect your interests, so joining one can help you advance your career and play a significant role in shaping your industry. It also lets you:
- Get discounts on business supplies, software and events.
- Network with like-minded professionals in your industry.
- Promote your products and services firsthand with your clients.
- Improve your business visibility online and in person.
- Gain new projects or career opportunities.
- Access educational resources through seminars or online libraries.
- Enhance your résumé with new skills and opportunities.
- Contribute to industry issues that may influence relevant policies.
Given all these benefits, memberships can be worth it. However, some organizations can be a better fit than others. When making a decision, reflect on your goals and how much time and money you’re willing to invest. While you can always leave voluntary organizations, it’s best to know what you want to get out of the membership before you apply.
This story was produced by Business Consumer Alliance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
