Trade Associations Are Well Worth Your Time

Trade association involvement can lead to more exposure for your company.

But there are so many trade associations you can join, you have to be careful to participate only in those that will give you the best return on the time you give them.

One association that you and your key employees should continue to be a member of is your local home builders association. You also should consider being an active member of your local chamber of commerce and the county board of Realtors® in your area.

However, don’t join these groups unless you and your associates have the time to participate on committees at each one. Participation is the key.

If you don’t think you have the time to give these groups, join them one at a time, not all at once, so you can gauge how much time you have to give.

If you are active in more than one group, it is also advantageous to join a similar committee on each one. For instance, if you serve on the economic development committee of the chamber of commerce, then serve on the economic development committee of all the other groups. By serving on like committees, you can consolidate your volunteer workload and maximize your effectiveness.

The best three committees to join in any of these organizations are:

• Economic Development
• Education
• Public Relations

By serving on the economic development committee, you can determine where new business in your community is going to come from — whether locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally. The economic development committee will put you at the threshold of new business, and that will benefit your company.

As a representative of the educational committee, you can create the best programs for the organization and, of course, for your own company’s employees. You can attract outstanding speakers at a nominal cost for your employees while offering education for everyone.

Serving on the public relations committee will enable you to promote the organization, but you’ll be able to promote your company in the process. As a volunteer on the public relations committee, you will have access to the media and can leverage this access to create opportunities to publicize your company .

All of this involvement is worthwhile if you are willing to play the role and participate.

Choose positive people to work with and try to place yourself in a position of responsibility. Not only will you have fun, you will be able to accomplish positive results.

S. Robert August, MIRM, is president and founder of S.Robert August & Company, Inc., a national marketing and public relations firm based in Denver that specializes in providing home builders, developers, Realtors®, manufacturers and lenders marketing/management consultation and sales training. August is an owner of Colorado-based RealtyWorks, Inc. a real estate brokerage company. He is also past chairman of NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council. For more information, contact August by phone at 303-220-8480 or via e-mail.

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