Recently, I was mailed an “invitation” to join a women’s business association. After a cursory look on the Internet to make sure they existed and appeared legitimate, I filled it out the postcard and sent it back. Then the fun began.
I got a call from the group’s “Executive Vice President” who wanted to ask me a few more questions to see if I qualified. She asked a few things, seemed to care, then congratulated me. I had passed muster. I was pleased for exactly 30 seconds.
In her “welcome” speech, she told me the benefits of my new membership, including press releases, networking functions, etc. It was when she asked for my credit card number for membership fees that things got ugly. When I said, “I don’t give my credit card information over the phone or to anyone I don’t know” she got pushy. She kept insisting. I kept refusing. I told her plainly that I will NOT give it to her. Period. It was her insistence that ticked me off. The membership fee – $529 for a 5-year membership, thank you. Are you kidding me?
At first I had told her I’d consider sending a check once I did more research on her group. She insisted I send payment ASAP so my biography could go in their directory. Whatever. I don’t fold to pressure, and frankly, pressure like that is a HUGE red flag. You’re up to no good if you can’t understand why someone won’t share confidential info with you or why someone needs to determine that their money is going somewhere legitimate. Since then, I’ve been getting numerous calls PER DAY from this group to my work phone AND cell phone (part of the application process was finding out my contact info for the “listing”).
I sent an email to them a few days ago explaining that my financial situation has changed (the IRS wants about $7K out of me) and I would no longer be considering membership. Obviously, this one was NOT for me. Research shows it was an organization to help women advance at the office. Uh, there’s one of me. Unless the goldfish is pushier than he looks, I’m as high as I can go. (Note: The group does appear to provide the services explained to me, so I don’t believe they aren’t legitimate. They just aren’t getting $529 out of me, thank you. The phone calls appear to have stopped.)
But it raises the question of viability and sensibility regarding what associations/organizations you should be considering joining. I’m a member of one freelance union, which is free, and one communications association, also free. In general, I don’t consider free membership all that impressive unless the group offers something valuable, in which case we should be paying.
What groups do you belong to? How much would you consider paying for membership? What justifies that price? How much is too much?
Completely depends on the organization. I belong to PEN, whose dues are very reasonable, and I’d say I gain 10-20x in experiences and life-changing events in proportion to what I pay. It gives me chances I’d never have on my own.
I belong to my union, of course. Even though I’m not working backstage as much, I’ve got pension and annuity vested there, and, when I do work, I’m guaranteed union rate. It’s worth it.
I’m getting ready to join Broad Universe, which seems like a great organization with reasonable dues.
I will probably join the Dramatists’ Guild and the Authors’ Guild shortly, along with the National Writers’ Union.
I dropped out of several associations because it felt like they were trying to get me to spend money on their services all the time, and the services weren’t helpful to me.
Funny timing. At the suggestion of a friend, I just joined Chicago Women in Publishing. It was $75 per year, and I was able to post my bio and contact information in its online directory.
CWIP offered what looked like a good seminar on freelancing, but the time didn’t fit my schedule at all. I’d have gone if it had.
I’ve got to work the directory and start researching and then calling members, but I already received a call last Friday from a marketing consultant to law firms asking me to bid on a monthly article for an attorney’s client newsletter. I’m guessing my fee will be too high, but maybe the $75 will pay off?
I’ve also considered joining a few other groups, but none has piqued my interest yet.
Oh, forgot to mention. Lori, I’m just like you. If someone pushes me for money NOW, I’m out. No questions asked. I’m out.
And I know what you’re going through with the IRS, and it probably stings more in this economy. I’ve been gobsmacked the past two years, but by some fate, this year I’m getting a state and fed refund. What a relief! But we’ve all been there, girl.
Thanks, Gabriella. :))
Over the long term, this group’s fees were reasonable. I question why I have to take a 5-year membership up front. Again, red flag waving.
That’s it in a nutshell, Devon. Does the group give you actual value for your money? I think $100 a year is a reasonable fee, but only if I see something from it that enhances my business.
Admittedly, I don’t belong to any groups or associations right now. I’ve been considering the National Writer’s Union, but have yet to decide.
As for your experience, Lori… Personally, I’m skeptical of anyone who asks me for money directly — and calling every day is harassment, no matter who they are. They can call it a professional organization all you want, but if they run it like a shakedown, I don’t want to have anything to do with them.
Bingo, Katharine. That’s why I won’t ever join them. Treat members as valued commodities, not cash cows!
I may belong to one group (how horrible that I can’t remember joining?). But like you, I’m considering others. I’m pretty picky. I want bang for my buck!
Good for you standing your ground! As far as associations, I don’t currently belong to any, but am seriously considering the Editorial Freelancers Association.
I belong/belonged to a writers and editors group. One year in, one year out and pay by the meeting because less than half of the programs interest me (there’s no other benefit for me).
This year I opted to join an editors’ group instead, with bi-monthly programs and an online directory from which came an immediate hit. Worth the higher cost!
The IRS wants only $7k from you? Apparently I started going senile a couple of years ago, filled out my tax form incorrectly and now owe penalties and fees up the wazoo! We’ll see.
The most recent phone scam that came my way was someone asking if they could send me a survey about web security practices or some such great dangers. I said sure, send away, but nothing has arrived.
And I have a Twitter account, but not quite ready to leap ’cause LinkedIn is taking up so much time!
Ugh, I never, EVER join groups like this. I’m way too wary of scams.
Georganna, that’s awful! I’m fortunate (?) that the IRS corrects my return every year. I have the proper paperwork when I start – I simply don’t have the accounting degree necessary to fill it out correctly. Ugh.
That’s why I passed, Melissa. Since there was no brochure forthcoming (I asked) and since their site is a members-only deal that I wasn’t allowed to check out beyond the cursory “About Us” page, I figured there wasn’t enough transparency for me to be comfortable sending them anything, let alone 5 years of fees up front. Suppose the group folds in a month? Uh, no.
Lori, sounds like you made the right decision. It’s a lot of money and it sounds like these wouldn’t be people you’d want to network with anyway. I will say that I’ve gotten a tremendous ROI from my membership in Freelance Success. It’s $99/year and that includes a members-only forum, newsletter (with very specific market info for well paying publications), and paycheck database. I’ve gotten thousands of dollars in gigs through networking with other members, attending their conference, and reading the newsletter. If you’re curious what it’s all about, they offer a free one week trial.
That’s great, Susan! I will check them out. Thank you!