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An association’s member onboarding program is the ideal litmus test for gauging success in member engagement. Many say onboarding is the foundation on which member engagement is built. The key to building a successful foundation is to regularly evaluate what is (and isn’t) working and make adjustments based on the evaluation. Quick tips for gauging onboarding success: ASK FOR FEEDBACK. Is the association meeting the new member’s expectations? Fingers crossed, maybe even exceeding their expectations? The answers will guide you […]

In the world of association management, extra time is scarce. Learn how to make the most of your day by following these simple tips. 1. Keyboard Shortcuts Learn keyboard shortcuts for the computer programs you use regularly. The time you save will really add up. 2. Internet Time Limit how many times a day you check social media, news, etc. Otherwise, leave them alone (seriously). 3. The Black Hole of Email Schedule specific times of day to check email. This […]

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 […]

So, you’re in charge of planning and running association meetings. Congratulations! That’s like being the captain of a boat, but instead of navigating the high seas, you’re navigating a sea of opinions and agendas. We don’t envy you, but maybe these tips can ensure a fruitful and pleasant experience for all who attend: 1.     Set a clear purpose and agenda. Before planning any meeting, it is important to define the purpose and agenda of the meeting. What topics will be […]

When creating a marketing plan, many Associations miss the opportunity to clearly differentiate between a strategy and the other, necessary plan components. “Strategy” refers to the long-term planning and implementation of methods to help an organization achieve its marketing goals. However, “strategy” is often misused to refer to a mission, goals, objectives, and tactics. A well-defined marketing plan with a clear strategy is vital for an organization. An excessively diverse, reactionary, and scattered strategy known as the “kitchen sink” approach […]

Fact: 50% of association revenue is generated from non-dues sources. Check out these 3 things you can do today to increase non-dues revenue using technology you probably already have: Social Media Advertising Your social media followers are a coveted group for vendors and suppliers. So why not use promoted or sponsored posts to generate extra revenue? Download the guide, Using Technology to Streamline Non-Dues Revenue, to get 10 ideas. Online Member Directory Advertising Connecting buyers and suppliers is a nobrainer. […]

How much time (and money!) does your association staff still spend on tedious billing, payment processing, and manual accounting tasks? Electronic billing enables staff to streamline their day-to-day tasks, increasing efficiency. ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRONIC BILLING For Associations: SAVES TIME & MONEY No need to mail invoices, process individual payments, and cash checks RETENTION Members love it CASH FLOW More predictable business planning AUTOMATION Payment information automatically updates your database EFFICIENT OPERATIONS Fewer collection issues and late bills For Members: CONVENIENCE […]

For associations, extra time is scarce. Learn how to make the most of your day by following these simple tips: Keyboard Shortcuts Learn keyboard shortcuts for the computer programs you use regularly. The time you save will really add up. Internet Time Limit how many times a day you check social media, news, etc. Otherwise, leave them alone (seriously). Check out the Association Operations Toolkit for ideas to improve efficiency at your organization. The Black Hole of Email Schedule specific […]

One thing you can always count on is change. While it is necessary to focus your attention on attracting new association members, it is important to know why existing members choose to leave. Sometimes it is just a life change like a relocation, but what if members leave because of a lack of open-mindedness in your organization, or because they stopped feeling valued? There could be any number of reasons why one decides to exit, and you should make it […]

For associations to progress, they must adopt best practices for planning, execution, and analysis. There are millions of articles about how organizations can accomplish this. However, what may be right for one association may not be a fit for another. Enacting overall best practices for organizations of all kinds allows associations to establish a general foundation for success. Typically, businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, etc. rely on the following strategies to navigate their way to success:   1. Mission Statements for […]

A Guest Blog by Elizabeth Weaver Engel. Association executives know that the Millennial generation, which will soon be the majority of our workforce and membership base, is the most diverse generation we’ve ever had in the US. And the yet-to-be-named generation coming up behind them is even more so. We are also aware of the expanding number of studies showing that increased diversity and authentic inclusion produce more innovation, better decision-making, faster and more creative problem-solving, better outcomes, and an […]

Our GrowthZone AMS blog series, 6 Proven Ways Associations Improved Member Engagement, explores different tactics that can increase member engagement. In this installment, we dive into programming strategies used by associations with strong member engagement rates. In yearly surveys, over half of respondents reported that their year-over-year engagement rates increased. Of the respondents indicating increased engagement, 11% attributed the improvement to new or updated programming. How they did it: Programming Increased focus on program promotion Updated / improved new-member onboarding […]