You’ve found your people, now what do you do with them?
No matter how well you do attracting new members to your organization, all your recruitment efforts will be lost if you don’t prioritize member engagement. Keeping your members engaged will ensure the long-term health and vitality of your association. Not only that, but having actively engaged members will be one of your biggest recruitment resources going forward. Use these 9 nifty techniques, and let’s keep this cycle going!
Want even more strategies for increasing your membership and wowing the members you have? Check out the complete list in our latest eBook, “50 Ways to Boost Your Association Membership.”
1. Set SMART goals for engagement.
Define goals for member engagement that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Let those shape your retention and engagement efforts.
2. Determine what engagement metrics you’ll use.
The “M” in smart lives here—if you can’t measure engagement effectively, how will you know if you’re meeting your goals? Here’s a great resource for measuring member engagement.
3. Segment members into groups and develop buyer (member) personas.
Are there a few different kinds of people that tend to join your association? Get to know as much as you can about them, and use these carefully curated personas to shape everything you do. Learn more about buyer personas here.
4. Use a solid, modern membership management software.
Not sure how you’d accomplish numbers 1–3? Using a robust Association Management Software (AMS) will allow you to collect and analyze data on your current members, and much more.
5. Determine what problems your members depend on you to solve.
This step should coincide with developing your buyer (member) personas. If you know what problems your members need solutions to, you can create content specifically for that, much to the delight of your members!
6. Develop the value proposition you offer your members.
What do your members value most about being a part of your association? Make sure you know your value proposition, and make sure everything you do communicates it. If it does, your members will share it, and help bring in new members.
7. Maintain an interactive website where members can engage with you and other members.
Your website is one of the best places to keep your association’s community vibrant and engaged. Make sure it is easy-to-navigate and there are opportunities on your site for members to stay connected to you and to each other.
8. Set up and manage engaging member forums.
Whether it’s hosted on your website or not, having helpful and informative forums for your members is a great way to keep them engaged and invested.
9. Use smart email marketing campaigns to keep members informed, engaged and interested.
Send out regular updates with things like new benefits, industry news, or member news that make members feel connected to what’s going on in your association.
Want 41 more ideas on increasing your membership?
Get access to our 50 Ways to Boost Association Membership eBook!
