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Does the thought of having to calculate retention, churn, or the cost of acquiring a new member make your head hurt? For many association pros, crunching numbers is (unfortunately) a part of their daily grind. You don’t have to be a math person to use this easy-to-understand calculation to determine retention rates. RETENTION RATE: (the percentage of members retained over a given period of time) (End Count – New Members) ÷ Start Count = Retention Rate Example: At the end […]

Could you use some more time or an extra set of hands in your organization? Most people would respond with an emphatic YES! to this question. Below, Membership Expert Frank Kenny shares his thoughts on marketing automation for associations: When you ask associations if they are using marketing automation to gain back time or get more done, the answer is still usually no, not really. The reasons for this vary, but three of the more common excuses are we don’t […]

“What’s in it for me?” At a time when a professional’s experience and qualifications are available at the touch of a button, keeping your LinkedIn profile (and resume) fresh is important. Association membership allows young professionals to demonstrate a commitment to continuing education, a personal investment in the industry, and a variety of other “selling points” to gain credibility and experience without jumping jobs. Here are three ways associations can help: Reputation Building Associations help members create a name for […]

Your association’s next member golf event can run smoothly – if it is planned correctly. Members likely return to their association golf outing each year to see people they may only see once a year, plus it’s always a fun day to get out of the office. Here are 5 things you can do to make your event more profitable, better attended, and a positive member experience: Get the Right People on the Committee Recruit a variety of people to […]

Fishing Week, Gay Pride Month, and Paul Bunyan Day are just a few June holidays. Easily schedule your organization’s social media feed with these themes: June Monthly Holidays and Observances Dairy Month Zoo and Aquarium Month Adopt-a-Cat Month Gay Pride Month Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month June Weekly Holidays and Observances June 2-8    National Gardening Week (1st week in June) June 1-9     Fishing Week (generally 1st weekend through 2nd weekend) June 23-29  Lightning Safety Week (last full week) June […]

Writing an association mission statement isn’t difficult; the key is to make sure you have a clear understanding of what it is (and isn’t). Keep yours simple, make it compelling, and ensure it’s measurable and remains relevant. Mission statements for associations are essential to planning and can be as short as one sentence, or a brief paragraph. EXAMPLES: PayPal: “To build the Web’s most convenient, secure, cost-effective payment solution.” Trip Advisor: “To help people around the world plan and have […]

One of our most popular blog posts, An Association Mission Statement, What it is (and isn’t), touches on the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement. While at first glance, the differences may seem small, the fact is that the two serve very different purposes. The mission statement is about the present, and the vision statement is about the future. The mission statement is “every day,” and the vision statement is the “someday.” A few examples to illustrate […]

“The greatest asset our country has is not oil or gold, but the minds of our young people.” – Irving Fradkin This generation is sure to determine the future of associations, making the participation of young professionals critical to the vitality and longevity of member-based organizations. So how do you take advantage of this demographic shift to attract young professionals to your association? Developing a SWOT Analysis doesn’t have to be complicated. Download How to Create an Association SWOT Analysis […]

CAE Credit: Join us for the informative and live webinar with author and international speaker, Kyle Sexton, “Make Your Members Famous (Think Like an Editor, Act Like a Journalist).” As an award-winning marketing strategist, Kyle helps membership-based organizations transform their marketing from boring to booming, bringing a fresh perspective on marketing strategy, membership development, social media, and team leadership. Kyle will share three ways your current members can help you attract your future members – and how to implement an internal mindset that […]

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on September 18, 2018. It has been updated. Snapchat could be just what you need to engage members or potential members – particularly young professionals. In the past, its younger user base and short-lived content may have left you unsure about adding this channel to your association’s social media strategy. But, it’s important to evaluate if (and how) it can help your organization reach its goals.  Less is More: The value of one […]

It has been said the number nine signifies wisdom and good leadership. So, we’ve assembled a list of blog posts from 9 association experts. Influencers in the evolving membership industry, these pros regularly share their wisdom and leadership to help associations navigate the road to success. Covering everything from fake texting to weird stories, from member memes to barista trust, there is something to appeal to everyone. Enjoy!

Karaoke Week, Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Deep-Dish Pizza Day are a few April holidays. Easily fill your organization’s social media feed with these themes: April Monthly Holidays and Observances Autism Awareness Month Distracted Driving Awareness Month Poetry Month Oral Cancer Awareness Month Grilled Cheese Month Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Testicular Cancer Awareness Month April Weekly Holidays and Observances April 7-13     National Library Week (generally 2nd week in April) April 7-13     U.S. Volunteer Appreciation Week (changes […]