Timing Is Everything In Member Experience
In reflecting upon one of my previous podcast episodes, I found myself reflecting on how my guest, Brian Fried, is able to attract so many like-minded people to his club.
By paying particular attention to the wants and needs of his audience, he has been able to capture a foundational component of generating membership.
This is What Happens When You Truly Understand Your Members
In reflecting upon one of my previous podcast episodes, I found myself reflecting on how my guest, Brian Fried, is able to attract so many like-minded people to his club.
By paying particular attention to the wants and needs of his audience, he has been able to capture a foundational component of generating membership.
Finding the Right Words to Sell Your Membership
One of the things that can make membership challenging to “sell” is the fact that you literally have to sell it over-and-over-and over, every time someone renews – unlike when someone makes a one-time purchase. That’s why the words that we use to describe what we’re providing to members are so very important.
Sometimes All You Need is a Great Analogy
I love a great analogy. Sometimes simply giving the brain enough of a split away from the usual way of thinking about a topic is enough to spark a break-through idea.
Jess Cooper's analogy of an organization being like the human body was exactly the same thing for me.
Dreaming About What's Possible for Your Membership
If your organization fails to change while the entire world changes around you, it won’t be long before members will legitimately find you to be “out-of-touch” or, even worse “irrelevant” which is the last thing that you want to be.
Membership Isn’t About You (Oh, but it IS!)
While a membership-based organization should strive to satisfy its members, if the person or people running the membership are struggling to keep things aligned, it may be time for a look at the who and what of the membership!
“Membership can either define you or just make you crazy.”
Running a membership-based organization is more work than many people outside the industry can image. With a membership-based organization, repeat customers ARE the business. The digital marketing your organization engages in can play a role in keeping the association’s existence and activities front-and-center where people are naturally hanging out.
Do You Use Digital Marketing Tools to Find Members?
Chances are good that your organization is using digital marketing tools, but you may not even think of it in that context. If you’re producing content that you put online, sending out emails, posting on social media, etc., you are actively engaging in digital marketing.
And if you’re going to be investing your time into producing digital content, why wouldn’t you want to get it in front of as many people as possible who might have an interest in seeing it?
Podcasting as Part of the Member Journey
Last week's podcast episode marked my 6-month podcasting milestone! Podcasts have exploded in popularity, and with the insane number of podcasts that have aired in just two years, it's tempting to jump head-first into a new content platform.
Take a read on how (and if) podcasts can be beneficial to your organization at different points in the member experience.
That’s a Wrap on the Board Development Series (Part 3)
This week's Joy of Membership Podcast episode is the final in a 3-part collaborative series on board development with Sean Kosofsky, the “NonProfit Fixer.” In the episode, we hear from two more of Sean's clients on how their intention with developing a strong board has paid off in their organization. Read about this week's guests and then go take a listen to the series if you haven't already!
Membership Leaders Share About Board Development (Part 2)
We’re in the middle of my 3-part series about Board Development featuring Sean Kosofsky, “The Nonprofit Fixer.” Last week on the podcast, I had the chance to chat with two of Sean’s clients and hear about their experiences with developing a well-balanced and effective group of board members for their organizations. Read about these two podcast guests and then head over and take a listen!
Membership Leaders Share: The Qualities of an Ideal Board Member
Organizations have different needs, but after asking a few of my clients about the qualities a ‘perfect’ board member would possess, it’s obvious that there are ways board members best serve their organizations. Be sure to catch the special 3-part series on Board Development I’ll be hosting over on The Joy of Membership Podcast, and check back here for my reflections on those episodes.
ANNOUNCING: Transform Your Board Training + New Member Care Software
2020 was, in a word, unexpected. As we all hope for a 2021 that is a bit “less,” I'm sharing with you today a couple of upcoming happenings in The Joy of Membership world that I *truly* think will make a difference in your organization in a big way!
Let Your Membership Software Do The Work
Wouldn't it be nice if ONE software could do ALL the things for your organization?
*Spoiler* – It's not only possible, it should be the standard!
I'm sharing my top 10 list of things a membership software can do for your organization, as well as sharing my experience with a specific membership software.
4 Lessons I’ve Learned from a Decade of Membership Tech Projects
We all love what technology can do for us. But when it's time to look at, implement, and USE technology within our organizations, the word daunting comes to mind. Anyone else?
Today's blog connects to the latest episode of The Joy of Membership podcast, where I talk with Michele Clancy about the AMAZING things technology has done for her role in her organization.
I'm laying out four lessons I've learned when it comes to choosing the right tech for your membership…and after a decade of working with organizations and non-profits, these lessons hold pretty true for all!
4 Ways Technology can Build Relationships with Members
While 2020 has shown us the importance of real-life, face-to-face interactions, I'd also like to point out that technology has been one of the only ways we've been able to stay in touch with our friends and loved ones.
Using technology within your organization not only makes your life easier (think automation, triggers, SOPs), but it can also enrich the experience your members receive and deepen their connections to you and the community.
Did You Miss the Membership Growth Report?
Wild Apricot published their report on Membership Growth for 2019. While some of that statistics looked discouraging, when I was asked to review the report I found that my outlook was much more positive. Read about my takeaways from the annual report and how that impacts your organization moving forward.
How Long Does It Take to Break through a Problem?
You can experience really big break-throughs in growth challenges when you commit to focus and decisiveness. Projects tend to expand in order to fill up as much time as you allow them to take. Read how I, and other industry professionals, have found a way to solve that problem for organizations!
How to Spin Disruption into Something That's Positive for Members
In these difficult times, it really feels like people need their communities and industry advocates more than ever.
This is encouraging for groups and organizations, but it also means these same groups and organizations should be working in the face of recent disruptions to meet their members where they most need.
Being the Best-Kept Secret is Not Great for Your Membership
How do people find your organization? Do you show up where they're looking? Is your value apparent right off the bat?
Making your organization and your value widely known is key to maintaining the health of your membership.
Upleveling the Perceived Value of What You Offer Members
Although looks aren't everything, the way your organization presents itself from a visual and design standpoint can make a difference to how potential and current members view what you have to offer. Check out the three things I find most valuable with my clients when it comes to a design standpoint.
How to Create More Powerful Connections Between Members
Most membership organizations are gathered around common interests. But as an organization leader, it is your objective to create powerful connections among your members to foster a strong community of likeminded peers.
Offering Certification Programs as a Value-Add for Membership
As an organization, you most likely are constantly on the look-out for ways to bring true value to your members. One way to do that is by offering certification programs. But in my experience, there are a few best-practice guidelines to follow when developing a member certification program to really pack a punch with your members and prospective members!
Building an Experience for Older Members
Do you find your older members seem to fade into the background of your organization? If so, it may be time to reflect on how your organization creates a space to actively encourage participation from your more experienced members!
Balancing the Push with the Pause
When it comes to making systematic change, it's important to recognize the impact of your efforts while also being able to take a step back and reevaluate the process and your goals.
4 Ways to Train Your Members without Webinars
Are you familiar with the term “Zoom fatigue?” Many people are growing weary of web conferencing as they spend all day on these platforms due to COVID-19 work-from-home arrangements. Now, organizations are searching for different ways to deliver training content to members. Read about four options that popped into my mind about how organizations can deliver valuable trainings in new ways.
Reading the Crystal Ball: Helping Members By Anticipating Change
Anticipating what lies ahead is key factor in delivering member satisfaction. By predicting possible and probably changes and implementing tools for your members to use to combat those changes, you are setting your members (and your organization) up for success!
How Comfortable Are You with Radical Change?
There are some practices our organizations continue carrying on, even when the purpose no longer serves us. Instead of hanging on to the “sacred cow,” change may be the best answer for growing your organization.
Being Engaged with Members Is NOT the Same as Attracting Engagement
Engagement is not a foreign topic to most who are in the business of growing memberships. Many organizations struggle to understand what their audience wants and how to deliver it.
Do Your Members GIVE Value or Just Expect to RECEIVE It?
How do your members experience your organization? Do they anxiously await your next resource to hit their inbox then run? Or do they have the chance to contribute and give back to the organization? Last week's podcast guest Evelyn Green shared her thoughts on how creating a two-way relationship builds better community within an organization.