Technology

If you’re like many people, you keep hearing about AI (artificial intelligence) but have no idea what it really means. It’s okay to stop pretending. Take a couple of minutes to learn about AI. What is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. Some of the activities computers with artificial intelligence are designed for include: Speech recognition Learning Planning Problem-solving So, where do you […]

Your members don’t need to attend all your events to be engaged. It’s time for associations of every size to walk away from 20th-century rules and fully embrace online marketing. Here’s one of five proven tactics to increase member engagement through online interaction and websites. Use Storytelling to Drive Digital Engagement Content is critical for engaging members and prospects, so don’t overlook the power of storytelling. Start with a member success story with a storyline that typically goes like this: […]

THE CHALLENGE When Laurie Lourie came on board as Executive Vice President of the York Builders Association in York, Pennsylvania, she brought 22 years of association experience and a keen eye for continuous improvement. She knew that a dues-based organization had to have cost-efficient systems to provide members with valuable programs and services. How to choose the right AMS Software  Laurie identified costly inefficiencies at the builders association, including separate systems for managing programs, accounting, and member data. With limited […]

THE CHALLENGE AGC MA Operations Manager Barbara Canoni led the efforts for the association to evaluate various association software options where all member information could be accessed in one place. She knew finding the right technology would be a long-term cost savings investment. “We needed a system that would help us provide our members with timely and accurate information,” said Barbara. “It used to be that financial information was only accessible through our bookkeeper, so if a member needed to […]

Combined, Gmail and Apple iPhone account for over half of email clients (around 55%)*. The number one spot routinely alternates between the two. Why You Should Care Email open rates and unsubscribes are heavily impacted by any adjustments made by Google and Apple. Therefore, organizations that depend on email marketing should stay alert for updates and changes to both platforms and adjust their email strategies accordingly. The Latest Big Updates In a move designed to separate meaningful emails from junk, […]

A rundown of the best association management software options. Compare top AMS platforms like GrowthZone, Fonteva, and Wild Apricot.

Association Management Software (AMS) offers associations, as well as other member-based organizations, the tools to run their day-to-day operations and provide services to their members. The most popular association management software and membership management software (MMS) saves associations time and money by improving their membership management and increasing efficiency in addition to growing and retaining membership, engaging members and streamlining tedious tasks. A powerful AMS offers the following features: Association Contact Management Easily view and manage your individuals and organizations, including […]

An inside look at one GrowthZone customer’s journey from an outdated data management system to a full AMS complete with NAHB WMS upload. Veteran association professional Natalie Fryer of the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville recognized their 400-member organization had outgrown their existing association management software. What used to be state-of-the-art was now simply outdated. Find out how to choose the best AMS for your organization’s needs with the AMS Buyers’ Workbook. The HBA wanted a web-based solution. They initially […]

Associations must make an “apples to apples” association software comparison when researching new systems. Still trying to decide what criteria to consider? In Part 2 of the blog series, “Where to Begin Your Association’s AMS Search”, we address how to research the ease of use, setup and integration, and training and support. Download How to Sell Your Board on New Association Software for a step-by-step blueprint to help explain the benefits. Here are some issues to discuss with potential AMS […]

Are you paying attention to the footer on your association’s website? If not, you’re missing an opportunity (and you’re not alone). A LOT more people see the footer than you might think (particularly on mobile). It’s an essential element of any website. A website footer, found at the bottom of a web page: helps boost conversions builds credibility reduce bounce rates improves SEO enhances user experience A footer signals that the user has reached the end of the association’s webpage. […]

It’s time to change your association emails and make them more voice-friendly. Why now? Millions of Americans now own smart speakers, and they use those virtual assistants to check their email with voice commands. Several years ago, Amazon has updated its Alexa voice assistant, giving it the skill to read, reply to, archive, or delete emails. Alexa will read the sender’s name, subject line, and text. It can read emojis but will ignore images and certain HTML attributes. Alexa will […]

Jumpstart your blog with step one of simple association blogging techniques. Admit it, you’re a scanner. We all are. There’s a lot of content out there, and if a blog post doesn’t quickly grab your attention in about 10 seconds, you move on to the next one. Here’s the deal. Quality blog posts drive web traffic. Increased web traffic improves your search engine ranking, creating more awareness about your association. Improving your blog’s readability doesn’t have to be an overwhelming […]