Vanguard Tech

JULY 23, 2014

This is the third in a series of blog posts based on the “5 Website Improvements to Make in 5 Minutes (or Less)” I co-presented with Maggie McGary at the ASAE Membership, Marketing and Communications Conference in June 2014.

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Vanguard Tech

JULY 23, 2014

This is the third in a series of blog posts based on the “5 Website Improvements to Make in 5 Minutes (or Less)” I co-presented with Maggie McGary at the ASAE Membership, Marketing and Communications Conference in June 2014.

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Vanguard Tech

AUGUST 30, 2017

So why is it that so many associations still have challenges creating web pages that generate interest and engagement? In a world where the Web can make you feel as vulnerable as it does powerful, your association's website copy – the words on the page – is gratefully something you can control with ease.

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Vanguard Tech

DECEMBER 8, 2016

Unless your users get a consistent experience across sites, channels, and devices, any attempt to engage them will likely fail. Sure, having a credible and professional association website is paramount, too, but an efficient CMS is a bedrock upon which you can build stellar digital experiences.

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Vanguard Tech

FEBRUARY 1, 2012

continues to be one of the biggest questions from associations - no matter what their level of engagement is. Instead, know why you are engaging in social media and then decide what to do. In a nutshell it helps you identify: People – Who are you targeting and engaging? “What should my organization be doing with social media?”

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Vanguard Tech

AUGUST 21, 2013

Brand Journalism enables your organization to craft and convey its own story in an engaging way that we’ve never experienced before. Brand Journalism and storytelling offer refreshing ways to engage with prospective and current members, vendors, stakeholders, and employees. Are your members and employees more engaged?

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Vanguard Tech

SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

By developing a content strategy and embracing content marketing, you make sure that those eyeballs are staying on your site and keeping engaged. I use all tools and channels available to engage. This could include for-profit publications, vendors and even other associations. Spread the Content Creation Around. I take thoughtful risk.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 23, 2011

The Red Cross has internalized social media management with active, full time internal staff managing social activity and engaging with all levels of the organization and their audiences. This makes the platforms a key vehicle for engaging and informing supporters or those in need. Community Support and Response (or lack thereof).

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 28, 2012

These are products and services someone paid money to develop, that engaged me and I paid my own money for. It was a striking change that kept users engaged. At first glance these are meaningless pursuits irrelevant to my professional life, right? And when they didn’t keep up or maintain my interest – I moved on.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 20, 2013

Using real images of real people creates that connection that engages them in your site. Their real stories and experiences not only resonate with potential members, but create a visual connection that engages the user on the page. So when a non-member comes to your website we want them to stay and look at your content.

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Vanguard Tech

APRIL 8, 2013

If you''re not engaging them through an occasional crowdsourcing activity, you can''t expect them to be interested in you forever. The list goes on and on for how to use the wisdom of your crowd, and if you want to ensure your long-term relevance, it''s a good idea to consider some options sooner rather than later. What''s in it for them?

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Vanguard Tech

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

Also good to retweet and engage your own employees to humanize your brand! Hold a contest, take a poll, make a Twitter-only offer, ask a question, or start a hashtagged discussion thread. Participating in existing discussions doesn’t hurt, either, provided they’re related to your industry sector. Keep a separate Twitter account for support.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 7, 2013

Mike Wiley and I (that's us in the photo) just returned from the Avectra Users and Developers Conference (AUDC) in Orlando, Florida and we were blown away by the amount of engagement, learning and innovation in this one conference. Community: Engaged & Evolving. The Avectra community has always been close.

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Vanguard Tech

JUNE 18, 2013

Our study shows that a “member first” approach drives an engaging experience that keeps members coming back. Decide what the problem is you''re trying to solve BEFORE you engage the designers.”. Too often, the layout and structure of an association website is a copy of the org chart. Membership. Publications. Here is what we heard.

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Vanguard Tech

NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Self Promotion Alert – I’ll be presenting a case study about how the National Wildlife Federation reinvented their blog and turned it into a content machine that drives online engagement and actions. Take a sneak peak by reading it at blog.nwf.org. If you’re curious, hurry up and register. There’s still space and time to get there.

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Vanguard Tech

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

In the article Missing Out On The Bigger Blogging Audience over at Mediapost they point out that not everyone engages online in the same way and on the same platforms. My friends over at the Social Studies Group just concluded a study on mommy bloggers and their online behaviors.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 1, 2013

This applies to web design, engagement, programs and everything we do. Starting with one of last week’s links about evolving your skills, I’ve been thinking about how associations and those of us who work with them need to continually adapt and evolve in order to stay relevant. Digital Darwinism. Evolve or else.

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Vanguard Tech

FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Maddie Grant covered why associations and non-profits need to be engaging in Google+ At the ASAE Technology Conference. It’s a mystery for many people but for those of us experimenting, we are having a good time creating circles and building communities. But what building your personal brand as a content author?

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Vanguard Tech

OCTOBER 4, 2012

5) Add a Graphic or Photo to keep Users Engaged. Also make sure the content is free of insider jargon and uses plain English based on how external audiences would refer to the subject. Pages with graphics and photos grab users interest and keep them on the page. Add a small photo or graphic to illustrate the content on the page.

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Vanguard Tech

DECEMBER 2, 2013

8) Technology Town Hall – This was one of the most engaging sessions/discussions at last year’s conference and I expect this one to be just as lively. Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson is my go to resource and I’ve recommended it to many clients. Hint: Stop by our booth and see how you can win a Kindle copy of the book.).

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Vanguard Tech

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Facebook and LinkedIn) and that content in your emails to increase engagement (and followers). Here are a couple of examples. Email can drive success in social media. Make sure to promot your public outposts (e.g.

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Vanguard Tech

AUGUST 8, 2013

Individuals and companies engage with their associations to network and grow their business, find personal growth and stay current in their professional fields. The takeaway for associations is that the role they provide in society is just as important and is even more critical today. This role has been and will be needed in society.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 8, 2013

Jamie points out this shift in social engagement is changing the way organizations relate to audiences AND their employees. However as he said in his keynote, “our conversations about social media are not going far enough.”. This isn’t about likes, pins, pluses or whatever new thing comes along.

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Vanguard Tech

DECEMBER 8, 2011

While the association may want the community to succeed and is willing to put unlimited resources towards it, ultimately the members must REALLY want it (to the point of being willing to openly engage and keep the community vibrant) in order for it to be truly successful. Matt Ott, National Grocers Association. Virginia, CFA Chicago.

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Vanguard Tech

APRIL 18, 2013

Your members and potential members will appreciate the effort with their respect and deeper engagement in your content. Be thoughtful, thorough and deliberate in selecting photos for your association website (and other publications). Photo Credit: New Camera by Shermee, Flickr.'

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Vanguard Tech

JUNE 13, 2013

You''d like more engagement in your social media initiatives from your members. Your members have to log in more than once to access different systems. You''re not capturing website analytics data. You are still using Dreamweaver. Your members complain about a difficult-to-use eCommerce experience.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 29, 2011

Create engagement on the web pages by enabling comments (a feature in a number of new content management systems). Find out where your members “hang out” and give them the tools to share and engage in those areas. Build in Tools for Sharing. Give pages unique URLs that can be shared. Include sharing tools in web templates (e.g.

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Vanguard Tech

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

and “How can we spread this knowledge beyond the most engaged members that are here?”. From the first bloggers huddled together years ago at ASAE Annual to today’s tweet-ups and people meeting for the first time IRL (“In Real Life), the tools and techniques for social engagement continue to change.

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Vanguard Tech

MARCH 5, 2013

We then extend the AMS and CMS integration into any other online tools that make sense for your business to create a powerful, flexible, engaging website for your members. We leverage the power of your association management software (AMS) to manage the login process and most of the member self-service by skinning the AMS web portal.

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Vanguard Tech

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Research and Discovery – An investment in collecting user input and identifying needs delivers a truly engaging and resourceful site. However to ensure long term success, it is better to test your concepts and direction as you are developing your new site so you can quickly engage and deliver member value.

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