Member Engagement

Uncomfortable situations with difficult co-workers, members, and board members are part of day-to-day challenges for association professionals. You can’t change people, but you can change the way you deal with them. Use techniques featured in the first of our 4-part blog series, How to Deal with Challenging Members, to handle whatever is thrown your way. Download a complimentary copy of The Art of Dealing with Difficult People BE A GOOD LISTENER Everyone wants to be treated with respect. It’s important […]

Goal setting is easy. Under the best of circumstances, reaching those goals can/should be challenging. Today, navigating the goal-setting process is a whole different ball game. Measurable results are key to the SMART goal process for associations (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based). If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. There are multiple approaches to benchmarking progress. The use of KPIs (key performance indicators) is essential for tracking results. Regardless of the type of objective, a performance indicator must […]

There’s no reason associations should continue to play by 20th-century rules anymore. There are (at least) 5 digital tactics member-based organizations should be using to drive participation and engagement in today’s world. TACTIC #1 Build Awareness Through Social Media Like most associations, you probably already have some sort of social media presence. But do y ou use it as a strategic tool to promote your organization? Are you using it to initiate discussions and dialogue? Don’t overlook social media as […]

As the year winds down, generating community ideas for association social media posts can be a challenge. Keep your social media fresh by posting about holidays and events. Here are several themes to get you rolling: Monthly Observances AIDS Awareness Month Bingo Month Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month Human Rights Month Safe Toys and Gifts Month Food Service Safety Month Weekly Observances 3-9                Handwashing Awareness 18-22            […]

There is a short window of opportunity to engage new members. If we do not reach them while the window is open, it snaps shut, forever. Most new members join with high hopes. They are curious to see what their membership will do for them because they do not specifically know what it will do for them, yet. They want to learn more because they want assurance they did not make a mistake in joining. During the first few days […]

December is an ideal time for associations to post regularly on social media. Social feeds will be crowded with consumer-targeted advertising, so member-based organizations have the opportunity to stand out with useful and meaningful content. On the other hand, it’s the time of year when many association social media managers take time off. Plan ahead for days out of the office with these holiday and event ideas for your December posts:   MONTHLY: Toy Safety Month Bingo Month   WEEKLY: […]

It’s a critical time in the association membership landscape and the future is in your hands. Adults age 18-34 (a.k.a. Millennials) account for 1/3 of American workers and are the largest share of the US workforce. Effective communication is essential to engaging them with your association. #Communications  Millennials want to hear from you. But they also want to seek out information independently. Keep your association website updated! According to 75% of survey respondents, the biggest turnoff is information that has not […]

New-member onboarding is crucial for associations. A touch plan to improve the process builds a strong foundation for engagement and for a long-term membership. Association new-member onboarding and first-year renewal processes work hand-in-hand and should be a 12+ month program (at a minimum). Take a look at the steps for the first three months: Day 1-7 Send welcome email. Mail new-member packet. Call the member to say, “Welcome to the association.”. Day 14-21 Email instructions on how to access member […]

Association industry vernacular defines member onboarding as a process through which new members move from being organizational outsiders to becoming organizational insiders. Translation? Onboarding is a party and your association is the host. Consider the following two scenarios: In one scenario, you’ve recently met a new acquaintance and invite them to your party. When they arrive, you don’t greet them, you don’t point them to the buffet, you fail to introduce them to other guests, and when it ends, not […]

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A successful association social media strategy doesn’t have to be a challenge. Simply follow the formula to navigate your way to an effective social media presence. The #1 Social Media Rule: Post things that are interesting, informative, and relevant to your members. See the rest of the formula along with post ideas for each category in the Association Social Media Survival Kit: Quick & Clever Social Media Posts. The Social Media Success Formula: Only 10% of your posts should be […]

Speed networking is an accelerated way for members to network and build community.