Membership managers are busy people. They have so many responsibilities yet lack the time, resources, and staff size to get it all done. To help you be as efficient as possible, we’re sharing a recent article from Associations Now about the best membership hacks of 2017.
How to recognize your members in a meaningful way
“While many associations use awards programs to showcase members’ talent, success stories, and contributions, smaller acts of recognition and thanks can go a long way toward boosting morale.” (Tim Ebner)Rather .
Whether a member volunteered at a recent event or participated in a community discussion group, acknowledge their work with thoughtful recognition. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Check out a few examples below:
- Gratitude Book – An idea from the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, Choose an inspiration book and have all staff members write a message of thanks. “We wanted a simple and tangible item to give our members to recognize those in leadership roles… [it was] an inexpensive but very personal way to thank our members,” (Jennifer Rowell).
- Framed Photo – As our world becomes more and more digital, it’s nice to receive a physical framed copy of special photos. Find an image that captures a special moment or a group photo that reminds that member why they volunteered.
Advertise creative member benefits
Every association advertises the same member benefits – discounts on events, access to special resources, professional relationships to name a few. How can your group stand out from all the noise? Instead of just offering the above benefits, get creative. The National Association of Wine Retailers gives members discounts on shipping that can quickly cover the cost of dues.
Change up your dues model
It can be scary to make any changes to your dues structure as they’re an essential building block in your overall revenue. But by being more flexible with payment cycles or offering a “pay as you go” structure, you’ll retain a lot more members. If you struggle with renewal season, think about adding an incentive to renew. Advertise a special resource only available to members that sign up for another year.
To see more hacks, search #membershiphacks on Twitter. Have a hack you want to share? Tweet it out to the association industry and tag us at @AMOUpdates.
