Home Based Business Association Management

Businesses, industries, and non-profit organizations have associations. Many of the associations are made up of volunteers who do not have the time to perform the various tasks of the association. Craft associations and non-profit organizations are also sometimes run by volunteers. Some of these organizations do not have the funds to hire a full-time person to administer the association. In some instances, there is not enough work to justify a full-time employee. They outsource the work. This can be an interesting home based business.

As an association manager, you will take care of administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, taking minutes at meetings, collecting dues, distributing newsletters, and so on. Most of these tasks are repetitive and do not take a lot of time. You may be able to handle the work of more than one association in your home based business. Be careful that you do not take on more work than you can handle.

You must have excellent organization and communication skills. You will have deadlines to meet for each organization, meetings to schedule, information to distribute, and so on. Management experience is an asset.

You should have a written contract with each organization. The organization should provide you with a contact person who should be responsible for giving you the information you need to perform the tasks and to answer your questions. You should also have a list of all the officers of the organization and the dates by which tasks must be completed.

In this home based business, there exist learning opportunities on a number of subjects. You will have the opportunity to attend seminars and meetings. You will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with interesting people.

You should carve a niche for yourself. Learn about the particular organization you represent and use that knowledge to solicit business from similar organizations as a home based business opportunity.

You could also start your own association if you have knowledge of a specific trade or industry. You could possibly create a profitable home based business opportunity as executive director. You would be responsible for the management of your association.

What does it take for this business?

For this home based business, you should have excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills as well as organizational skills. You should have basic administrative skills, word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet, and so on.

What does it take to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office.

Your initial costs will be minimal, depending on whether you have any of the equipment or supplies needed. If the association has its own letterhead and stationery, you should be able to use it for official correspondence. You will have to purchase any other supplies, software, and equipment you will need.

Basic equipment and supplies:

• Computer
• Printer
• Fax
• Cellular phone
• Business phone line
• Contact Management or Database software
• Business stationery and cards
• Brochures
• Web site

You can review resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

• Creating, if not available, a database of members
• Collecting dues
• Billing
• Recordkeeping and accounting
• Promoting events
• Distributing newsletters
• Creating newsletters
• Taking minutes at meetings
• Organizing and attending seminars
• Organizing and participating in fundraisers

What are my potential earnings?

$25,000 to $55,0000 annually

How much do I charge for my services?

Monthly retainers are normal in this home based business. The fees range from $2,000 to $5,000 monthly depending on the size of the organization and the tasks you perform. Clearly define your tasks in your contract. Additional services performed, depending on what they are, should be charged or can be used as an incentive to retain a contract.

How do I bill for my services?

You will present an itemized invoice of the services you performed each month. You should clearly state your payment terms in your contract: 1st of each month; 1st and 15th of the month, whatever is appropriate and agreed upon by you and the association.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• Contact and network with trade, professional, industry, and non-profit organizations.
• Purchase ads in trade journals.
• Make personal contacts at trade conferences and conventions.

Online

• Create an information Web site and list your home based business services.
• List your Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related sites that target your market.
• Participate in discussion groups and forums related to your target audience.
• Use banner ads on Web sites frequented by your targeted market.

This home based business requires organization and can be an interesting business. Review resources for this home based business here.