Associations Online FAQ

Have a question not covered here? Call 800-575-5369 or use our information request form.

About the database:
What is the Directory of Associations?
What formats does the data come in?
How often is the data updated?
Can you guarantee the data?
How many association records contain email, fax, publications, etc?
Where do you find associations / Where does the data come from?

Purchasing the database:
If I purchase the online edition, can I upgrade to the CD later?
Can I purchase only a few records or specific geographies?

Using the database:
Who uses the database?
What are the benefits of your database compared to other directories?
How do I import the database into xxx?

What is the Directory of Associations?
The Directory of Associations is a comprehensive source of information on associations and professional societies including business, trade associations and 501c non-profit organizations in the United States.
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What formats does the data come in?
The data is available in the following formats:
- CD-Rom - The entire directory in comma-delimited, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access formats. The database can be imported into virtually any contact manager software (ACT, Goldmine), mailing list software, or other database system.
- Online - Our online edition provides a powerful search engine so you can research only the entries you need. All search results may be downloaded in comma-delimited format for easy import into virtually any application.
- Single states - If you need only a limited geography, we offer a single state purchasing option. Delivered on CD-Rom in comma-delimited, PDF, Access, and Excel formats.
- Mailing Labels - Single states may be purchased on preprinted mailing labels to save time.
- Printed Edition - Single states may be purchased printed and neatly bound in 3-ring binders for fast lookup of information.
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How often is the database updated?
We have dedicated staff constantly maintaining our database on a daily basis. It takes our staff approx. 6 months to update the entire database, then we start over ensuring the freshest data available. We also contact each association twice annually to confirm their information is current. Your database purchase is created using the most current data the day you place your order. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Can you guarantee the data?
We cannot guarantee the data in any way. While we strive to maintain the most current database available, businesses move and merge on a daily basis. On average approximately 3-5% of records change monthly, so our bi-annual updating timeframe allows no more than 20-30% of the database could be inaccurate at any time. Other publications only update annually, and by the time they go to press their data is already up to 10% bad.
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How many association records contain email, fax, publications, etc?
Our data is very complete for each record, and we are constantly adding new fields with each bi-annual update. The figures below detail the percentage of records with the information completed. Please not that not all associations have web sites, email addresses, publish periodicals, or hold meetings, so low numbers do not represent incomplete data. We take a pro-active approach for discovering data about each association, including emailing and calling directly to fill in missing information.
Mailing address: > 95%
Contact person and title: > 75%
Website and Email: > 60%
Phone number: > 90%
Fax number: > 75%
Membership Statistics: > 40%
Staff size: > 20%
Publications: > 25%
Conventions/meetings: > 25%
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Where do you find associations / Where does the data come from?
We research new associations via the web, IRS records, and other public databases. From there, we use the organization's website and email or phone each association to fill in as much data as possible and ensure accuracy.
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If I purchase the online edition, can I upgrade to the CD later?
Yes! If you purchase a single state or an online edition, you may upgrade to the CDROM within 30 days for the price difference only. However, after 30 days we cannot offer upgrades of any kind.
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Can I purchase only a few records or specific geographies?
Yes you can! We offer purchasing individual states for as little as 12 cents per record here. Single state purchases may also be delivered on mailing labels or in print form. We cannot break the database down by industry or in smaller geographies. If you need detailed targeting, we suggest our online edition.
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Who uses the database?
Business professionals, libraries, schools, colleges, writers/editors, and other associations. Our directory is a powerful reference source that is commonly used for networking, research and statistics, niche marketing, and locating industry information.
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What are the benefits of your database vs other directories?
Our database provides instant access with fresher data and unlimited access. Other directories may have more records, but they are infrequently updated, limit your usage, and prevent direct access or importing of the data.
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How do I import the database?
You can view our online instructions at http://www.marketingsource.com/associations/help/
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Need more information? Email us or call (800)575-5369