In Lesson 1 we learned what group associations are, but not how to go about making them. That is what we will be doing here, learning how to create group associations that will benefit you and your associates.

First, if your group is already associated with a web site or other support group, be sure to list that as prominently as possible in your group's description. This is a 'selling' point that you will use when contacting others for possible associations. The next thing you need to do is make a 'wish list' of all groups, web sites, support networks, and businesses that you would want to associate with.

On your wish list you should write down the name of who you want to associate with, the contact information (webmaster/owner's name, email address or mailing address), and at least 3 reasons why it would benefit them to associate with your group. Keep in mind that although you can put anyone on your wish list, you are going to want to be 'picky' about who your group associates with. All it takes is a little bit of bad press of any kind and your group will be associated with that bad press even though it had nothing to do with it.

Now, you should write a generic letter stating the most common three reasons why your group would be a good association for those on your wish list. This is your rough draft and it will need to be personalized for each contact you have on your wish list. Personalizing the letter will not only include adding the person and name of the group, web site, or business, but also includes personalizing how your group would benefit them through an association.

The benefits can include increased exposure to a targeted audience (your members), additional exposure on the group's front or home page where all visitors to the group will see the link, and how your mission statements are either the same or compliment each other. These benefits should be selling points that will show your prospective associate that you have considered the possible association thoroughly and thoughtfully and have taken into account what they would 'get' from the association.

You may want to consider waiting until you have a good and strong group of members before contacting your wish list of possible associations. If you wait until your group has been established, I would suggest at least 6 months, you will be better equipped to sell them on your numbers. This is not just how many members you have, but also how active the group is, how many visitors your group gets during an average week, and how many of your visitors join the group. One of the best ways to see who is visiting and then joining your group is with a visitor counter. You can find free counters listed on most webmaster resources sites, but I prefer SiteMeter. Please look for one that will work best for your group.

Whatever you do, do not inflate your stats! Never lie or stretch the truth to a possible associate, this will not benefit your group or them.