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There has been a flurry of articles written and forum topics posted over the past few months about the impending European Union’s (EU) General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) that takes effect May 25, 2018. All this information has left many association staff dizzy, asking the question “what should associations be doing right now to ensure we’re compliant?” First, this regulation only impacts organizations located in the EU or organizations that collect data from members in the EU. If neither of […]

A recent article in the career section of the ASAE website explores the ins and outs of the career paths available in the association industry. We’ve highlighted some key points in the excerpts below. In many ways, working for an association is different from working in other types of organizations. Here are a few characteristics that set them apart from the for-profit and government sectors. They’re mission-driven. Every association has a deeply held reason for being. An example of a […]

Online communities are beacons of collective interest, support, and information sharing. However, the sustainability and growth of these communities is highly dependent on effective leadership. Cultivating leadership within online communities is not just about managing a group of people; it’s about inspiring participation, fostering engagement, and driving positive impact. ‍ Here are key strategies and best practices we suggest for developing leadership within online communities to ensure their vibrant evolution. Identify and empower emerging leaders Leadership potential can be found […]

How associations and chambers can use their website to generate non-dues revenue.

As we continue through 2024, the demand for authentic brand to consumer connections only continues to grow. Online communities have emerged as powerful platforms for fostering these relationships, offering a space for engagement, feedback, and loyalty building. For brands looking to make a mark this year, understanding the nuances of creating and managing online communities is key. ‍Here are some best practices to consider if your brand is aiming to cultivate a vibrant, engaged online community this year: ‍Define Clear […]

Association networking events are critical to increasing member engagement and demonstrating value. Give your members the tools to maximize the time and energy they put into event attendance. Part two of our two-part series on successful member networking explores post-event tactics to maximize the opportunity. Share these post-event tactics with your members: Add each new contact to your LinkedIn network. Follow up with a quick email or phone call within 24-48 hours. Schedule this on your calendar. Seriously, set aside the […]

Member networking events. Some people look forward to them, others secretly groan when they show up on the schedule. The key to making your association’s events successful is to make them valuable to your members. The long and short of it is: if members are going to attend, give them the tools to make them count. Get free networking resources to share with members. Part one of our two-part series on successful member networking explores strategies for members to put together […]

An Annual Report isn’t just for your association’s Board of Directors.; it’s a valuable tool you can use to highlight your association’s successes and leverage to develop partnerships with sponsors. Here are six steps for writing an effective association annual report: Define the Audience As you create your annual report, keep in mind who will be reading the report: your board – make them feel appreciated; your members – show them the importance of belonging; prospective members – show them […]

 Part 5 of the 5-Part Series: Why Member Engagement No Longer Means Face-to-Face Tactic #5: Inbound Marketing That Captures Prospects’ Attention In the olden days of marketing, way back in the 20th century, marketing was comprised primarily of outbound – interruptive campaigns. Marketers created campaigns that were specifically designed to interrupt you from what you were doing so they could get you to listen to them. They would leverage direct mail or advertising to deliver their message to a targeted audience. […]

Sometimes it’s better to be losing. A study by Jonah Berger of 18,000 NBA games shows that teams losing by a point at halftime were actually more likely to win than teams ahead by one point. Statistically, LeBron James is 8% better when his team is down late in the game. Why? Because being behind can be motivating. Teams, and people, work harder when they’re losing by a little. The father of Human Performance Technology, Thomas Gilbert, believed that “it […]

Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents say it’s hard to find a cultural fit when hiring. And when there isn’t a good fit, we often end up losing people fairly quickly, and that’s expensive and inefficient. So, given what’s at stake here, why are we finding it so hard to align who we’re hiring with what our culture truly is? In short, because the hiring process is fundamentally dishonest. I don’t mean recruiters and candidates are lying outright (though that does […]

Frank Kenny Guest Blog: Frank explains how to reverse declining in-person event attendance.