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A collection of words of encouragement and wisdom for association staff by association staff. From the 2021 Association Survey Results.

More tricks and tips for association new-member onboarding planning. SET A BUDGET. Statistics show that it costs 7x more to obtain a new member than to retain a current one, and that first-year members have the lowest renewal rates. New-member onboarding is a process that is clearly worth investing in, and with some planning and organization, it will make a big difference in an association’s success. The above-referenced research shows that organizations that earmark as little as 1% of their […]

Member onboarding is more than simply sending out a welcome packet. It is a big piece (if not the biggest piece) of the membership life cycle. Get your copy of the New-Member Onboarding Plan for associations and watch your retention rates soar. Statistics show that it costs 7x more to obtain a new member than to retain a current one. Proper onboarding is critical to member retention and pays off in the long run. Connecting and engaging an association membership during their […]

Mastering the art of effective communication is the key to success for association professional management. As humans, there is one thing everyone has in common: the need to communicate. Regardless of who you are, what you do, or where you live, your existence depends on communication. Master effective verbal and non-verbal communication by keeping the following tips in mind: Don’t rush It’s important to keep things brief, but not at the expense of getting your message across. Take the time […]

The key to driving conference registrations is to make it as easy as possible for potential attendees to get approval to attend. Read the tip sheet: We’ve Got to Stop Meeting Like This and learn how to plan and run efficient meetings. A key component of your overall conference marketing plan should be a letter/proposal template that can be used by potential attendees to pitch the idea to their boss/board, etc. By helping them “sell” the idea, you’ve put the […]

As we continue through 2024, the demand for authentic brand-to-consumer connections 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 Objectives and Values […]

In this installment of our blog series, 6 Proven Ways Associations Improved Member Engagement, we explore the different communications tactics used by associations successfully engaging their members. Some of the tactics are simple to employ right away, others may require some strategic planning, while a few may need to be included in next year’s budget. Regardless, associations know that member engagement is key to retention, which (should) allow more time for association new-member recruitment. All of which equals association growth. How […]

“The difficult people who we encounter can be our greatest teachers.” ~ Eileen Anglin Managing your emotional intelligence is the key to diffusing uncomfortable situations with association co-workers, members, and board members. Use the tips featured in the third of our 4-part blog series, How to Deal with Challenging Members, to help you stay in control while reducing stress in the process. REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL Avoid confrontations in front of others and resist the urge to complain to others about your […]

This is part two of our two-part blog series on association employee termination best practices. This checklist from goptg.com will help associations ensure they are protecting their data during what is typically a stressful situation – employee termination. Disable and change all passwords for Windows Domain accounts. Disable email access. Remove access from any 3rd Party applications (whether they’re on-premises or in the cloud). Change password or remove access from websites with company information. Change password or remove access from […]

Learn how to use voice search to grow your organization.

Imagine your association work-life without these (shudder)… Control-Z – for real. Email – what did we without it? Payday – enough said. Chairs with wheels – right? Heat and A/C – even if it’s never the right temperature. Small wins – being able to check something simple off a to-do list. Cool coworkers – how awful would it be without them? Fresh coffee – or any coffee, really. Your superpowers – you’re what makes your association what it is. Read […]

What story is your association telling with its social media posts? Does your story resonate with your target market? Is it reaching your members? Or is it rendering your message effectively invisible, hidden in plain sight? Get 30 more quick and easy ideas for social media posts for your association now » Recognize that everything you do tells a story. If someone dresses shabbily, it tells a story about them. If an organization is mainly self-promoting, that may tell their […]