Smooth The Path

AUGUST 2, 2016

We have edited and proofed the conference schedule so many times we have it nearly memorized. Likely members think the value of their membership is more than or less than we think they think it is. Likely members have better or worse experiences with the association than we guess they do. Related: Slow data vs. fast data.

Member Research 60

Member Research Survey Conference Strategy 60

Eric Lanke

AUGUST 27, 2018

The most interesting result from the member research on renewal notices is that these letters, emails, and phone calls do not serve to change most member’s minds about renewing. I attended their annual conference and networked with as many people as I could. Instead, renewal notices merely remind them to renew.

Newsletter 159

Newsletter Member Research Resources Conference 159

Smooth The Path

JANUARY 15, 2019

I conduct member research all the time, so I get direct access to the bright spots in our industry. SURGE shows us how online conferences can really work. Where do you get knowledge and insights about the association industry? I am lucky. Are you hungry for some knowledge? Association Chat has a new growing online community.

Resources 79

Resources Newsletter Education Member Research 79

Reid All About it

MAY 3, 2019

Amanda Kaiser dispels three myths on why people join associations and reveals the real reason—based on her member research. Conference Trends Every Meeting Planner Should Know. Jump in for a fast-paced dive into the conference trends that are changing the game and walk away with ideas you can implement right away.

Tucson 262

Tucson Phoenix Products Tools 262

Smooth The Path

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

A prediction for the conferences of the future. Our community is in the process of developing virtual conference etiquette. During online events, we can capture all of that amazing, juicy, interesting data and use it to increase the knowledge in the community. Related: Priming people for participation.

Conference 78

Conference Report Industry Content 78

Smooth The Path

OCTOBER 2, 2017

For example, the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) recruited me to speak at this year’s annual conference. I credit the network effect for propelling all of my recent initiatives from speaking, to recruiting quality participants for association industry research, to having clients find me for custom member research.

Florida 76

Florida Recruiting Recruitment Member Research 76

Association Success

MAY 28, 2019

When we launched our new brand in 2018 at our annual conference, Build Business, we rolled out a newly redesigned website and affiliated sites, social media platforms, and videos. In addition, new SMPS logo swag was made available to conference attendees, with additional branded items that were soon available for purchase.

Survey 113

Survey Social Media Marketing Member Research 113

Smooth The Path

APRIL 7, 2016

Implicit in our ask to take an online survey, respond to a member interview, attend a focus group or even when we ask off-handed informal questions like what did you think of the conference? So often members ask, “will I get a copy of the final report too?” Related posts: The members we should focus on.

Member Insights 60

Member Insights Member Research Survey Report 60

Smooth The Path

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

and, Walking into the first conference, I felt nervous jitters. There was a panel taking about an issue near and dear to my heart. Suddenly I realized I wasn’t alone, I was surrounded by 500 professionals just like me. Who was I to be there?

System 125

System Conference Industry Member Research 125

Smooth The Path

OCTOBER 25, 2017

There was one theme running so strongly through each member research project I could not ignore it. It was that members who engaged very early in their membership were more excited about the association than members who reported that “the association just grew on them.”

Member Engagement 79

Member Engagement Industry Survey Member Research 79

CSAE

JUNE 27, 2023

Key highlights from the Town Hall are below: Members were reminded of CSAE’s strategic priorities: to be the champion for associations, to be the centre of excellence for the association sector and to be a model for continuous improvement in association management. Those on the waitlist will be hearing from us to complete your registration.

Team 40

Team Committee Library Review 40

Associations Now

AUGUST 27, 2018

Event Marketer breaks down five strategies for how to bring the technology to your conference. On her Smooth the Path blog, member researcher Amanda Kaiser outlines how broken processes can inhibit engagement. It’s no secret that social media is a key marketing tool. Is it time for a process audit?

Social Media 45

Social Media Recruiting Recruitment Report 45

Smooth The Path

MAY 7, 2017

Have you ever noticed the Twitter flurry before the conference? ” “Can’t wait for today’s awesome keynote to kick off this conference.” A few attendees will start leaving tweets here and there. “I am packing for Orlando!” ” These attendees are excited!

Member Engagement 84

Member Engagement How To Case Study Conference 84

Reid All About it

JULY 9, 2021

Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman. Brian James, Assistant VP, Conference Operations, National Association of Manufacturers. How to (Really) Engage Members for Short-Term Success & Long-Term Survival. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.

Rhode Island 195

Rhode Island Technology Strategy Member Engagement 195

Smooth The Path

JUNE 18, 2019

I was only reminded of the association when a promotional email came in, asking me to attend their national conference. My first-year member experience lines up with many other new member’s experiences according to member research. Once my year’s membership was up, I didn’t give the association a second thought.

Organization 108

Organization Member Engagement Member Experience Video 108

Smooth The Path

OCTOBER 4, 2016

Members have a challenging problem and we have the solution but they do not use our solution. We reach only 14% of the population of potential members. Only 25% of our members come to the conference. Our members are busy. Why haven’t more chosen us? Why so few? It is not about us it is about them.

Price 127

Price Products Member Experience Communications 127

Fonteva

FEBRUARY 9, 2021

For one thing, your association is already likely hosting a number of events, whether they’re smaller meetings, larger conferences, or a virtual experience. Traditionally, your association likely hosted live events that brought your members together with professional speakers or a multi-day conference with a variety of different panels.

Member Engagement 98

Member Engagement Tips Recruiting Recruitment 98

Smooth The Path

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Do you ever find yourself wondering why members make the decisions they make? Why go to an inferior conference put on by a competitor? Sometimes member’s decisions seem so irrational. Why are our members so irrational? Why join, but then not engage? They are not. They are just as logical as we are.

Member Engagement 60

Member Engagement Conference Member Insights Member Research 60

Associations Now

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Your intrepid membership blogger returns from two conferences at regional societies of association executives with a roundup of tips and ideas, including great questions for member research and the power of delegating metric measurement to staff. Yes, rates, plural. ” (which may reveal individual or company needs).

Connecticut 40

Connecticut New Jersey New York Member Research 40

Smooth The Path

MAY 23, 2017

I had not until JP Guilbault CEO of YourMembership mentioned it at the company’s recent conference. True customer (member) obsession and high-velocity decision making are the most critical but also the most difficult for associations. Think about your members. Think about your best members. They read emails.

Project 89

Project Conference Strategy Member Engagement 89

Smooth The Path

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

Members don’t take the time to understand their benefits. Those chapter leaders are not communicating well with new members. The conference volunteer is not doing her job. There are so many situations that pit association staff against members. Dive into your member’s stories and find out how close you are.

Survey 60

Survey Project Conference Content 60

Smooth The Path

JULY 4, 2017

Have you ever asked members if they were going to renew, they said yes, but then they didn’t? Have you ever asked attendees if they were going to attend next year’s conference, they said yes, but then they didn’t? If you have ever had this happen, you are getting false positives from your members.

Conference 68

Conference Member Research 68

Smooth The Path

APRIL 3, 2016

Fast data sources are quick polls, Google Analytics, an email campaign’s open rate, and this conference’s registration quantities. Much like the slow food revolution is the new and upcoming backlash against fast food; slow data is gaining ground as the answer to what fast data can not provide.

Member Insights 60

Member Insights Conference Member Research Survey 60

Smooth The Path

NOVEMBER 6, 2016

To protect the anonymity of this association I can’t tell you everything we learned but I can tell you about a few of the key insights gained: Influence is a key challenge for members – members worried about their ability to influence stakeholders and like most professionals this is becoming a more important part of their job.

Case Study 104

Case Study Project Member Insights Association Value 104

Smooth The Path

JANUARY 24, 2016

Coming out of my own member research, the challenge that comes up nearly universally among members of all associations is the need to influence. The race to the bottom is pitting employee against employee and high stress environments are exacerbating tensions and sometimes bad behavior. Influencing skills.

Social Media 60

Social Media Member Research Tips Education 60

Mizz Information

NOVEMBER 18, 2018

This recent update summarizes what the project team learned from their latest member research; this post goes into why they did it and this helpful guide details how they did it. Gotta love these people for their thoroughness and transparency!

Leadership 63

Leadership Survey Project Examples 63

Mizz Information

NOVEMBER 18, 2018

This recent update summarizes what the project team learned from their latest member research; this post goes into why they did it and this helpful guide details how they did it. Gotta love these people for their thoroughness and transparency!

Leadership 40

Leadership Survey Project Examples 40

Smooth The Path

APRIL 5, 2018

Our members may think membership is priced too high because of its impact on their budget or personal wallet. If members bought all the benefits a la carte, they would pay twice as much. We may think membership is economically priced. After all, look at the value and the comparative costs of membership for associations like ours.

Price 74

Price Cost Industry Member Research 74

Fonteva

AUGUST 15, 2019

Member profiles are well-rounded and have a single, accurate information source. Events allow association members to come together, whether it’s through an educational course to get a certification or with a conference to provide networking opportunities. Event Management. Data-driven decisions.

Association Software 40

Association Software Software Tools System 40