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Many associations still rely on dated techniques to engage members. Does your association struggle with member engagement? You’re not alone. There are typically 3 main reasons why members disengage: No Time Less Participation More Competition Here’s the key: Your members don’t need to show up to events to be engaged. To be clear, face-to-face meetings still have great value, but they aren’t the only way to build commitment and a sense of belonging. There are many trends and tactics associations […]

“Millennials want a brand that motivates, guides, and connects them through experiences.” – Brent James of Concept 21, a footwear industry leader What business is designed, at its very core, to motivate, guide, and provide experiences? An association. The Perks of Association Membership for Young Professionals is an unbranded, free flyer for associations to use for member recruitment. It includes 12 benefits and their descriptions that are intrinsic to associations of all types and sizes. We’ve included 4 of them […]

Word-of-mouth is so powerful because “we trust each other so much more than we trust businesses.” – Jay Baer WHAT Word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) is an unpaid form of promotion in which satisfied customers tell other people how much they like a business, product, or service. It is triggered when a customer (member) experiences something unexpected. WHY 83% of Americans have recommended a product or service to someone else. 55% of Americans make product or service recommendations to others at least […]

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 […]

A job description is like an employer’s sales pitch to candidates – you’ve got to make them descriptive enough to get a candidate’s attention, and interesting enough to keep it. The economy is steadily improving and it’s increasingly a candidate’s job market. The following tips will help you write compelling job descriptions that help your openings rise above the competition. Get more advice on staffing, read The Secret to Hiring for Culture Fit. Lose the Buzzwords Terms like “rock star” and […]

If you could dramatically improve the odds of someone saying yes to joining your association (and your other requests), would you go for it? What if I told you it didn’t take all that much effort? Would you say, “tell me more!”? When it comes to online marketing, many associations make their lives much harder than they need to be. Not sure what I’m talking about or wondering if you’re one of those associations? Imagine this… You’re a successful association […]

Mission Statements are often overlooked or ignored. But, if an association is operating without one, or paying no attention to what’s already in place, they’re making a critical error. A Mission Statement is what ensures an organization stays on its intended course. Is it time to reevaluate and update yours? Is your Board asking for one? Are you asking your Board for one? Whatever the reason may be, taking time to review what’s in place vs. how your organization is […]

When it comes to selecting an association credit card processor, the provider should be efficient, accurate, and affordable. Be sure your organization is looking at the whole picture when it comes to the “fine print,” as you’re shopping for a company to process credit cards for your association, You’ll need to understand each component, be aware of all costs involved, especially different rates. Most importantly, do your research. Read on for tips to help you understand what to watch for […]

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 […]