I’m not talking about the Facebook, LinkedIn Groups, or Voiceover Universe memberships that are little more than a button press. This post is more about memberships in real world organizations that have events and meetings that I personally attend as part of my marketing efforts.

In this case, I needed to add some stuff and I am glad I did. Why?

People still do business with friends but to make the friends to do business with you gotta get yourself to the right events.

So where am I now a member? Well most of these are regional associations or groups but my point to you is you may want to take a look at groups in your area similar to mine and get in with them if it fits with your branding and marketing efforts.

Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives – Well this is a constant as I have been a member since 1989, past president the whole shootin’ match. Lots of friends and new faces. High comfort level. It used to be part of an international association (which didn’t do much) but my point here is that there are some other SME groups across the country and maybe in your neck of the woods. You should investigate.

The Ad Club of Buffalo –You’re never really sure who you are going to see here. It’s not an immediately welcoming group (with some very nice and notably exceptions) if you don’t directly work for an ad agency (or maybe they just have a thing against VO’s or even just me) but if you show up enough you become not so much accepted as expected. That’s how it feels to me anyway. But there’s money in them thar hills so we trudge along.

Amherst Chamber of Commerce – Buffalo has a chamber-like organization but its really not focused on small business. The Amherst Chamber, in our area’s largest and most affluent suburb, is focused on small business. Just joined their Business Resource Committee (cause you can’t join a group if you’re not willing to contribute…and that contribution usually pays dividends) so this looks promising.

Buffalo Broadcasters Association – I doubt there is a ton of business potential here; I think I’ve been a member for 2 years. To me it’s an association that’s still trying to find it way while doing work for the broadcasting community that has real worth. I just feel like I should belong and support that; and hey, some of the mixers are great fun too.

Media Communications Association – International – Well simply put, this is Connie Terwilliger’s fault. There is no Western New York chapter but maybe just being in the directory could lead to something. No, I will NOT be overseeing the start of a new chapter here.

Communications Association of the Southern Tier – This is another kind of distant group for me, about three hours away. But its near my in-laws so its not so out of the realm that I could attend a meeting or two. Plus I’ll be in the directory. Much in the plus column is the call I got from their membership chair recently welcoming me to the club. That kind of occurrence is more rare than you think or than it should be for a membership driven group. Kudos to CAST.

Where do you have memberships? Are they helping your brand and your business?

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