Running an association requires admins to wear many hats. There’s always more to do and not enough people to get it all done. In some ways, this is a good problem as it can correlate with a high percentage of membership renewals, event activity or member engagement. However, if it’s getting to the point when you’re missing deadlines, forgetting important tasks, or seeing a decrease in total revenue, it may be time to explore other options. Que AMCs!
AMCs or Association Management Companies are professional service companies “that specializes in providing management services for associations on a fee-for-service basis. AMCs provide the professional staff, administrative support, office space, technology, and equipment an association needs to operate efficiently,” according to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
To help you decide if hiring an AMC is the right choice for your group, consider the questions below.
Are you at a standstill with membership growth?
It’s natural for membership growth to ebb and flow throughout the year; but if your group has been at a standstill for a few months, it may be time to enlist some help. An AMC can help with lead generation, association advertising, and member engagement.
Do you want to do more with your events but don’t have time or resources?
One of your primary jobs as an association executive is to connect with members, plan memorable experiences, and hopefully recruit new members in the process. But if you’re busy processing registrations forms, payments, and managing the back and forth with vendors, it’s likely you’ll miss opportunities to do the above.
Is most of your workday filled with administrative tasks?
We know administrative tasks are part of any job, no matter what level you’re at. But if you find that those tasks prevent you from doing your actual job, consider an AMC to help manage admin work.
Do you have room in the budget?
Hiring an AMC can be a hit to the budget initially but usually ends up improving your overall revenue if it’s a good fit. To ensure your investment is worth it, do some serious research before selecting a company. What type of clients do they work with? Do they understand your market? Think about the areas of your business that are failing and if the AMC has the experience to solve those specific problems.
