Importance of Modernising Your Membership to Attract and Attain Members
Importance of Modernising Your Membership to Attract and Attain Members
Membership organisations constantly face issues surrounding the retention of existing members and their targets of attracting and capturing new members. With costs of traditional marketing such as direct mail and events rising, many are turning to social media and online networking as a channel to reach new members and as a medium to add value to existing member packages.
So why is social networking important for membership organisations? It enables engagement with specific member groups
It can help to increase awareness around various membership campaigns
It can encourage positive online networking, ideas and feedback from members
It creates a more open and transparent membership organisation
It helps to encourage members to get involved in issues occurring within the industry
Social media can improve the impact of marketing campaigns
It helps to attract younger members from the industry
Social media adds value to the member experience
It enables 'real time' communications with members
Membership organisations can use social media to gauge instant reactions to marketing programmes
It provides an effective tool for members to promote the organisation via word of mouth
Since membership organisations are often built around the ideas of community and networking, it can seem an easy and obvious step to move these ideas online, via one of these networking channels. The most popular tools are LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. As of 8 April 2010, LinkedIn had more than 65 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide (taken from Wikipedia).
Using LinkedIn as a membership communication tool:
A closed user group, (for members only), can be created to provide members with an exclusive opportunity to network with other members without revealing their personal contact details
Groups can be used to communicate news from the membership organisation and to start and manage online discussions and debates
For members with a particular interest, focused sub-groups can be set-up (named SIGs - Special Interest Groups)
LinkedIn can be used to promote events very successfully
Members of LinkedIn groups can upload photos, videos, create online polls, take part in forums, and receive email updates
Having a LinkedIn group that is limited to members also has the potential to attract new members. Alternatively, having an open group where anyone can join has the benefit of providing the membership organisation with of a list of prospects that may be suitable new customer targets.
Facebook
Facebook states that a Facebook Page is a customisable presence for an organisation, product, or public personality to join the conversation with Facebook users. The page focuses on the stream of content posted by the page administrators.
By leveraging the real connections between friends on Facebook, a page lets fans become brand advocates. Posts by the page will start to appear in News Feeds, giving pages a stronger voice to reach their fans.
Using Facebook as a membership communication tool:
Facebook pages can be used to promote events very successfully
Owners of the Facebook page can upload photos, videos and take part in forums
Page managers will also receive email updates on the level of engagement their page has with their members (known as fans)
Facebook page status updates can be linked automatically to Twitter
Organisations cannot moderate what is said, but they can make the group private, only inviting registered members
Facebook also offers unique opportunities such as targeting adverts s to fans, so there are opportunities to market to non-members who may be interested in an association's products or services even if they don't have the potential for membership.
Twitter
Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers (taken from Wikipedia).
Using Twitter as a membership communication tool:
Twitter can be used to send out small, instant updates to individual or all members
Membership organisations can use Twitter as a means to inform event delegates of the latest event updates or changes
Organisations can post links to updated information, advice, tools and other resources on their own website
The instant communication of an important message or a call to action is made easy through Twitter
Members can subscribe to the Twitter feed via RSS or mobile for instant notification
Managing Social Media Channels
Social media is only an effective form of marketing and communication if it is managed properly. Social networks must be updated on a regular basis with fresh new content. Membership managers must also monitor these channels for membership activity, and ensure all questions or comments from members are responded to. It is not good enough to create a page or presence on these channels then leave them at that. Efforts must be made to nurture conversation and help to build the community.
Managing these channels can be made easier through the use of a Membership Management Solution. These software solutions enable membership managers to control all these channels without having to log in individually. Managing the accounts from a central platform ensures a cohesive and consistent message and helps to foster the high level of engagement between members and the membership organisation managing the social media channel.
Membership Management Solutions also include modules to help communicate with members via email and the web. They also aid in the analysis and reporting of membership statistics, helping membership managers to understand the effects and ROI of their efforts.
For members with a particular interest, focused sub-groups can be set-up (named SIGs - Special Interest Groups)
LinkedIn can be used to promote events very successfully
Members of LinkedIn groups can upload photos, videos, create online polls, take part in forums, and receive email updates
Having a LinkedIn group that is limited to members also has the potential to attract new members. Alternatively, having an open group where anyone can join has the benefit of providing the membership organisation with of a list of prospects that may be suitable new customer targets.
Facebook
Facebook states that a Facebook Page is a customisable presence for an organisation, product, or public personality to join the conversation with Facebook users. The page focuses on the stream of content posted by the page administrators.
By leveraging the real connections between friends on Facebook, a page lets fans become brand advocates. Posts by the page will start to appear in News Feeds, giving pages a stronger voice to reach their fans.
Using Facebook as a membership communication tool:
Facebook pages can be used to promote events very successfully
Owners of the Facebook page can upload photos, videos and take part in forums
Page managers will also receive email updates on the level of engagement their page has with their members (known as fans)
Facebook page status updates can be linked automatically to Twitter
Organisations cannot moderate what is said, but they can make the group private, only inviting registered members
Facebook also offers unique opportunities such as targeting adverts s to fans, so there are opportunities to market to non-members who may be interested in an association's products or services even if they don't have the potential for membership.
Twitter
Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers (taken from Wikipedia).
Using Twitter as a membership communication tool:
Twitter can be used to send out small, instant updates to individual or all members
Membership organisations can use Twitter as a means to inform event delegates of the latest event updates or changes
Organisations can post links to updated information, advice, tools and other resources on their own website
The instant communication of an important message or a call to action is made easy through Twitter
Members can subscribe to the Twitter feed via RSS or mobile for instant notification
Managing Social Media Channels
Social media is only an effective form of marketing and communication if it is managed properly. Social networks must be updated on a regular basis with fresh new content. Membership managers must also monitor these channels for membership activity, and ensure all questions or comments from members are responded to. It is not good enough to create a page or presence on these channels then leave them at that. Efforts must be made to nurture conversation and help to build the community.
Managing these channels can be made easier through the use of a Membership Management Solution. These software solutions enable membership managers to control all these channels without having to log in individually. Managing the accounts from a central platform ensures a cohesive and consistent message and helps to foster the high level of engagement between members and the membership organisation managing the social media channel.
Membership Management Solutions also include modules to help communicate with members via email and the web. They also aid in the analysis and reporting of membership statistics, helping membership managers to
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Importance of Modernising Your Membership to Attract and Attain Members Rosemead