Member marketing is a must for your association. It's the key to recruiting, engaging, and retaining members. But, let's face it, with a small staff, it's not always a walk in the park. You don't have time for elaborate plans or intricate campaigns. So, how can you make the most of your limited time and elevate your member marketing game? Let's find out.
Want big results from your small association's member marketing?
Here are three simple steps to help you engage and retain members effectively:
- Get clear on what you want to achieve
- Develop a killer strategy
- Maximize your marketing channels for optimal results
Get clear on what you want to achieve
Whether your organization is a nurses' association, a bar association, or something else entirely, the first step is to define your goals and objectives. I know, I know – it's just one more thing on your to-do list. But trust me, it's worth it.
By setting clear goals, you'll be able to craft a member marketing strategy that actually makes sense. Plus, you'll have a way to measure the success of your efforts. And don't worry – your goals don't have to be complicated. Keep it simple, and you'll be on your way to success in no time.
Develop a killer strategy
Let's brainstorm some membership programs and offerings to achieve our member marketing objectives! What can we do to entice potential members? How can we keep current members engaged?
Events : Host regular events that cater to the interests of your members. These events can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid and can include social events, professional development workshops, guest speaker sessions, and more. By providing opportunities for members to connect and network with each other, you can create a sense of community and foster loyalty.
Online member community : Create an online forum or community platform that allows members to interact with each other, ask questions, and share information. This can be a great way to facilitate discussions, share resources, and build relationships among members.
Online continuing education and learning programs : Develop online courses or training programs that provide continuing education opportunities for members. These programs can be designed to help members improve their skills, advance their careers, or stay up-to-date on industry trends. By offering valuable educational resources, you can attract new members and keep current members engaged.
Content :Create and share valuable content such as blog posts, newsletters, and social media updates that inform and educate your members. This content can be related to industry news, best practices, success stories, or other topics of interest to your members. By providing valuable and informative content, you can establish your organization as a thought leader and attract new members while keeping current members engaged.
Maximize your marketing channels for optimal results
Email : Email is a powerful tool for building connections with potential and current members. But, beware! To make the most of it, you need to use it wisely.
First things first: make sure your emails look great and are easy to read on mobile devices. After all, who doesn't love a good-looking email?
Next up, segment your email list by behavior, engagement, demographics, and whatever else you can think of. This way, you can send targeted messages that resonate with each group.
Finally, automate those pesky process-related emails (like membership renewals and receipts) so your team can focus on more exciting member marketing activities. Trust us, they'll thank you for it!
With [Memberly] (https://memberly.io/) tool, you can whip up email lists in no time! Plus, you can target your messages based on all sorts of member properties. Get creative and make your emails stand out!
Website : Your website is the face of your organization, so make sure it's looking sharp! Here's how:
Keep it fresh – No one likes an outdated website. Make sure your site is modern and mobile-friendly, with easy navigation and a clean design. Bonus points for adding fun features like videos or interactive elements!
Get noticed – Don't let your site get lost in the vast ocean of the internet. Optimize it for search engines by staying up-to-date with best practices and incorporating relevant keywords. That way, potential members can find you easily and quickly.
Simplify membership – Paper applications are so 20th century. Move your membership process online to make it easy and convenient for prospective members. Just make sure you only ask for the essential information - we don't want to scare anyone off with a lengthy form!
Social Media : To truly harness the power of social networking, you need a plan. And not just any plan - one that caters to the needs and interests of your prospects and members. Here are a few ideas to get you started: First, do some detective work and find out where your ideal members are chilling on social media. You can do this by checking out your current members' social media habits. Or, why not get straight to the source and send out a survey asking them which platforms they use and how they use them? Get creative and get connected!
With Memberly you can conduct surveys to get feedback from members instantly.