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.
Have You Seen My Dog Dance? (and What That Tells You About Value)
My Brittany does the cutest little dance when he wants attention (or wants something we're holding). Although your members may not be dancing, there are plenty of signs they give for wanting to tell you what they value about your organization!
Think Wild Apricot is JUST for associations and nonprofits? Think again!
If you thought Wild Apricot membership software was *just* for associations and nonprofits, it might be time to rethink that idea! Scott Lollar, Founder of Consulting4Contractors wanted an easy-to-maintain site that wasn't constrained by the structure of course...
Virtual Events- Survey Results and a Creative Solution
Virtual events may be membership organization's best option for the foreseeable future. While this can raise concerns when it comes to fundraising, let your imagination run wild! Read about how one organization is supporting their cause and still planning to raise funds.
Post-It Notes & New Possibilities
Planning and strategizing are part of any organization! I got the chance to catch up with a client about a former project we worked on, and it brought back memories of my Post-It Note planning process!
Fundraising for Membership Organizations
For some of you, the word “fundraising” might make you feel a bit squeamish. However, finding donor support is crucial for your organization. Read about how to encourage organization fundraising without stepping on your members' toes!
Congratulations to the Needlework Guild of Minnesota on Their Successful Wild Apricot Launch
Our team was proud to support the Needlework Guild of Minnesota as they navigated their way onto the Wild Apricot platform. You can see the new site at needleworkguildmn.org. I think my personal favorite things about the NGM site are: 1) the beautiful bright color...
How I Spent My Birthday (and Why That’s Good for You)
Some birthdays get celebrated more than others. This year, my milestone birthday was also the release of a milestone piece of my own membership support business – The Joy of Membership Podcast!
Don’t You Just LOVE a Great Makeover?
Ready for an organization makeover? It will be coming soon! Give your feedback on which program would be most effective as a 30-day training!
THAT is a Hair-En-Fuego Kind of Problem!
Every organization faces bumps in the road. But knowing which bumps need to be steamrolled out and which bumps you can drive over a little while longer is crucial to membership growth. Read about 3 urgent membership problems that should be addressed right away.
“Bazinga!” & Your Member Experience
Sheldon Cooper's catchphrase also doubles as the pattern our members can sometimes follow within our organization's funnel: Unpredictable and unusual! Read about how to remedy that with a strategic system.
3 Places to Look for New Members (Right Now)
With an unprecedented top half of 2020, many organizations are going to be looking at mid-year analytics with a different lens. If you're worried about your membership numbers, check out these three places to look for new members right now!
Half-Full or Half-Empty?
Your outlook when it comes to change is everything. When you change your perception from half-empty to half-full, it opens up doors that otherwise would stay sealed shut!
Engaging Members with Surprise & Delight
When was the last time you received something from a business or organization that made you appreciate their connection? Personalizing your engagement with your members boosts morale and makes your members feel integral to your organization.
Sorry – There Is NO Master List
Although a master list is a great tool for some pieces to your organization, there isn't (and shouldn't) be one for your member benefits. Read all about what I have to say about personalizing your membership benefits.
Value is in the Eye of the Beholder
To keep your organization functioning, you have to find your “bass-line.” What is the rhythm in the background that your members rely on? Finding your core beat is important in running a purposeful organization.
The Steady Thumpa-Thumpa-Thumpa – THAT’s Your Member Experience
To keep your organization functioning, you have to find your “bass-line.” What is the rhythm in the background that your members rely on? Finding your core beat is important in running a purposeful organization.
ANY Decision Would Have Worked Better
It's easy to follow the leader rather than setting the course. However, in our current world too many are sitting and waiting for someone else to set the precedent. Take action now so you don't fall behind when things return to normal.
Up-Leveling Members Into Leadership
Despite the uncertainty, one thing IS for certain: Now is the time to encourage your members to step into leadership roles within the organization.
When You’re Forced to Shift from Live Events to Virtual
With the uncertainty in the world, many large in-person networking and educational conferences are being cancelled or postponed. Although there is nothing that can completely replace face-to-face interaction, you can still serve your members' needs through virtual events!
Is It Time to Revisit Your On-Boarding Process?
When was the last time you put yourself in your new members' shoes? The on-boarding process is a critical piece of proving to your new members that joining your organization was the right move. If it's been awhile since you've revisited your organization's process, now may be the time!
ANCW Launches New Website on Wild Apricot Platform
Congratulations are due to the American National Cattlewomen (ANCW) on their *beautiful* transition to the Wild Apricot platform. They announced their new site on Friday and have already seen members transitioning over - visiting the new site and setting up their...
Preserve, Prune, Pivot, Power-Up – Which Response Do Members Need from You Right Now?
Each of us are adjusting to this new (temporary) normal in the world. As your members are working to understand what this means for them, your organization as a whole will also be adjusting and changing to meet their needs.
Craving Calm – Even a Lighthouse Can’t Control the Storm
As leaders of membership organizations, your members will be looking to you for guidance and calm during this unprecedented time in recent history. While you take care of your members, be sure you give yourself the grace to understand you cannot control the situation no matter how brightly your light shines for others!
I Gave Up – She Didn't – Here's What I Learned
No matter how hard I pushed, it simply wouldn’t budge. The seat on the machine at the gym was hopelessly stuck. I was getting more of a workout trying to move the seat into the right position than I get actually using the machine. I couldn’t understand what was...
In Troubled Times, A Message of Hope
This isn’t the article that I intended to write this week. When nearly every email hitting your inbox is about the nasty impact of the coronavirus, I wasn’t sure that people needed another message on that topic... but to ignore the impact that the current...
Finding the Budget to Work on Growth
One of the biggest roadblocks to growing an organization is finding ways to invest in products, courses, and resources to actually grow! Today I'm covering why finding the money to invest is so crucial to the health of your organization.
Why They Don't Join (and How to Change That) – Part 4 of 4
To wrap up this special series, I'm addressing an issue that is no fault of an organization but is still causing issues. With the amount of recurring services being offered, asking your potential members to invest in yet another membership can be a hard sell. Read on to learn about how to market your organization so it is irresistible to your members.
Why They Don't Join (and How to Change That) – Part 3 of 4
In part three of my special series, I'm diving into the nitty-gritty of your organization. You may be losing out on potential members because of a disconnect on your potential members' needs. Read on to learn about evaluating (and possibly changing) your services to attract and land new members.