In fact, non-dues revenue is quite important for the financial health of any association. Since membership numbers, and hence dues, fluctuate, you need to set yourself up for success by having multiple different revenue streams available. This not only helps maintain a balanced budget but also allows your organization to provide exceptional value to your members.
In this blog post, we will explore 5 ways for generating non-dues revenue, and how a job board that supports these efforts.
What is non-dues revenue?
Non-dues revenue refers to income generated from sources other than membership fees. This can include sponsorships, event fees, advertising, and more.
Generating non-dues revenue also allows you to broaden the offerings you provide to your members, hence improving member satisfaction and retention.
1. Job board sales
One of the most effective ways to generate non-dues revenue is through a job board and career center. Job opportunities and career advancement are top benefits for members, making this a valuable resource for both job seekers and employers.
Here’s how you can leverage a job board to drive non-dues revenue:
a. Employer job postings
Employers will pay to post job openings on your association’s job board to reach your membership base of skilled candidates. Why? Because your career center can help them reduce their cost per hire by accessing candidates that have specific skills and are passionate about the industry (= your members). It’s a win-win!
In addition to selling standard job postings, you can offer premium listings that provide greater visibility on your site for employers—and extra non-dues revenue for your association. Employers may pay extra for features like:
- Highlighted job placement at the top of your board.
- Increased duration of the job listing.
- Support with sourcing candidates, such as first resume screening, interview scheduling or personal candidate sourcing. The easiest way to do this is by partnering with a recruiting firm in your industry.
- Increased promotion of a job by posting it on your social media platforms or website.
b. Candidate database
Yet a different revenue stream can come from employers paying to access your database of candidates and corresponding resumes. You can offer this option once you have enough of your members' profiles on your career center site.
This way, employers can actively search your talent pool and contact potential candidates directly. All while your association can profit from additional revenue from employers in your industry.
c. Job newsletters
Include a job feed or widget in your member newsletters featuring recently posted jobs. Or send personalized notifications to members about new job postings that match their preferences.
Employers may be willing to pay extra to be included in this distribution of their jobs to additional potential candidates. This provides value to both your members and employers while generating significant non-dues revenue.
Niceboard offers a job bard solution designed for associations looking to build revenue generating career centers that support these features.
2. Career fairs
Career fairs, managed through your career center, can be valuable events for both employers and job seekers. They provide an opportunity for employers to connect directly with potential hires while offering members access to job opportunities, all in one place.
But how do you make your career event profitable for your association? Here are some options to consider:
- Attendance fees: You can charge a fee for members who wish to participate in career fairs, or give access only to your premium members.
- Sponsorship packages: Sell whole booths or lower-tiered sponsorship packages to industry employers who want exposure at the event.
- Lead generation: Provide sponsors with the (paid) opportunity to collect leads through exhibitor booths or sponsor demos that attendees sign up for. This allows sponsors to stay in contact with potential hires even after the event via email or phone.
- Branded spaces: Another option is offering personalized spaces for sponsors in high-traffic areas like lobbies or networking lounges at the event. These so called “branded spaces” give sponsors more prominent visibility.
- Networking opportunities: Facilitate networking opportunities between sponsors and attendees by offering tickets where they can meet face-to-face.
- Digital options: With virtual events continuing to be popular, consider incorporating online career fairs alongside in-person events. This gives your association more flexibility for revenue generation, lowers expenses, and allows you to reach a broader audience of employers and job seekers.
3. Recruitment guides
A great way support your job seekers while earning revenue is writing targeted recruitment guides for your niche.
These guides can be offered in print or digital formats and typically include:
- Advertisements: Employers pay to advertise their company culture, employment opportunities, and benefits in the guide, gaining exposure among qualified candidates.
- Career development information: Include relevant articles that provide insights into writing resumes, interviewing tips, salary trends, or negotiating with recruiters.
- Premium options: Offer upgrades such as premium placements or video ads in digital guides for additional fees.
While you can generate non-dues revenue for your association, your members will get insights into the current job market, learn about the newest roles, and get access to further career development topics.
4. Sponsorships
Beyond event sponsorships like for your career fair, you can sell digital sponsorship packages for ads on your website, newsletter, or other publications.
A place that is often overlooked when it comes to banner advertising is your career center: Offer your existing advertisers to have their ads displayed on the job board’s site, or contact the most active employers on your job board to pitch advertising options. When selling advertising space, ensure that you maintain a professional image by only partnering with companies relevant to your members’ interests.
Bonus: Your career center can also act as a pipeline to drive corporate sponsors and advertisers to your association.
5. Publications
Many associations have established publications that are considered go-to resources within their industries. These publications provide consistent touchpoints throughout the year, reaching a specialized and engaged audience. Beyond offering advertising opportunities in these publications, you can consider providing one as a membership benefit while charging a fee for additional copies.
You could also introduce a classified section in your publications catered to companies that are currently hiring, for example industry and job market insights specific to your industry. The data you collect from actions taken by your members on the website or your career center can inform this section and help employers attract the best talent available.
Another idea: Offer sponsorship for any research projects you conduct. Companies might be willing to pay for exposure to your members through logos on research materials and commentary sections featuring their insights. This not only generates revenue but also enhances the perceived value of your research among members.
A great example of this is the AIA Colorado job board, which produces an annual report detailing architecture salaries, hiring practices, and benefits specific to the industry. This resource helps architecture firms make informed hiring decisions and the association generate non-dues revenue through the publication’s sale.