Optimist Consulting

MARCH 4, 2013

Go ogle Alerts have been around for a number of years, but they are still a great way for membership organisations to search and monitor news information. The search uses Boolean (eg using search terms like AND, OR) which enables you to hone your search down to the relevant information. What is a Google Alert? Tracking key members.

How To 100

How To Marketing 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 4, 2013

This should include: Access to the data of those that are renewing with all the information you need at your finger tips. Information about the fees due and the benefits the organisation offers. There could be themes that emerged; if you don’t collate the information you cannot act on them.

Process 100

Process Tips Team Resources 100

Optimist Consulting

AUGUST 29, 2011

The first presentation, from Seb Elsworth at ACEVO (where I used to work), the charity CEO membership body, who focused on using research to inform the strategic planning process. It really helped inform our planning but also our communications. At the time it was so exciting for us to be able to carry out this sort of meaty survey.

Member Research 100

Member Research Library Survey Project 100

Optimist Consulting

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Use SIGs to inform policy/event/communications work. If your organisation offers a number of SIGs, it is good practice to share information across them. It can be easy for members to see the SIG as something outside of the membership organisation, which could then impact on members’ willingness to renew. Encourage sharing across SIGs.

Tips 100

Tips Case Study Tools Resources 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

personally think the key is how the information is presented. Not having a good mobile site can result in frustrated members who may then seek information on better sites whilst questioning the value of your organisation. *We Only 45% regularly report analytics to senior management/the board. Only 38% have a responsive website.

Survey 100

Survey Social Media Report Recruiting 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

personally think the key is how the information is presented. Not having a good mobile site can result in frustrated members who may then seek information on better sites whilst questioning the value of your organisation. *We Only 45% regularly report analytics to senior management/the board. Only 38% have a responsive website.

Survey 100

Survey Social Media Report Recruiting 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

personally think the key is how the information is presented. Not having a good mobile site can result in frustrated members who may then seek information on better sites whilst questioning the value of your organisation. *We Only 45% regularly report analytics to senior management/the board. Only 38% have a responsive website.

Survey 100

Survey Social Media Report Recruiting 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 4, 2013

However, you do need to encourage members to read the information and a plain black and white document is not the best way to engage readers. They focused on the additional value delivered and member feedback that they have used to inform their decision.

Price 100

Price Communications Marketing 100

Optimist Consulting

JANUARY 27, 2016

It is to provide information, prompt action or deliver a service? The map is a good tool for reviewing your member experience. With each touch point I would ask the following questions: What is the objective of this touchpoint? What is the member experience of that touchpoint?

Review 100

Review Member Experience Member Research Examples 100

Optimist Consulting

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

The partnership forms part of a wider education outreach programme undertaken by the CIPR following research published earlier in the year which found that young people lack the information and support needed to make an informed choice about public relations as a career.

Recruiting 100

Recruiting Recruitment Event Planning Education 100

Optimist Consulting

DECEMBER 17, 2015

Engage with members, don’t broadcast: Tailor content to your members’ needs and provide opportunities to interact with your organisation, rather than broadcast information. Increase sign-ups to our annual member conference.

Newsletter 100

Newsletter Content Social Media Committee 100

Optimist Consulting

MAY 10, 2017

Offering the opportunity of an informal conversation with the CEO or a board member can help members decide if it for them. Talk about the positive aspects like making a difference, driving the organisation forward and also raising their profile. Use all your channels – don’t just rely on sending an email.

Communications 113

Communications Tips Project Content 113

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

With 61% of UK adults owning a smartphone (Ofcom) it seems obvious to me that membership bodies should be attempting to take up more space on people’s mobile devices – helping members access information they need and also providing reminders and updates on the benefits and services they offer.

Social Media 100

Social Media Discount System Cost 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

With 61% of UK adults owning a smartphone (Ofcom) it seems obvious to me that membership bodies should be attempting to take up more space on people’s mobile devices – helping members access information they need and also providing reminders and updates on the benefits and services they offer.

Social Media 100

Social Media Discount System Cost 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

With 61% of UK adults owning a smartphone (Ofcom) it seems obvious to me that membership bodies should be attempting to take up more space on people’s mobile devices – helping members access information they need and also providing reminders and updates on the benefits and services they offer.

Social Media 100

Social Media Discount System Cost 100

Optimist Consulting

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Do keep focused on members’ questions rather than pushing the information you’d like to deliver. Identify the gaps – what topics are your members querying that you are not currently not addressing? Produce a schedule for your content and decided who is going to write which pieces.

Content 100

Content Social Media Review Survey 100

Optimist Consulting

DECEMBER 4, 2012

The directory provides contact information for more than 500 SfEP members, plus details of the skills, subjects and services they offer. For more information about the Society, its membership structure, and how to join, please see www.sfep.org.uk.

Process 100

Process Directory Discount Course 100

Optimist Consulting

MAY 28, 2016

Informing me how donations have been used recently is a really good way to make me connect with Fawcett, and to remind me that I would be a part of something important: in this case, keeping feminism on the A Level Politics curriculum and persuading government to include public sector and bonus payments within new gender pay gap regulations.

133

133

Optimist Consulting

JANUARY 26, 2017

The report commends organisations for keeping online application forms short, by only asking for essential information, for using clear error messages to help potential members complete the form and for breaking down the application process into simple steps. Membership bodies are focussing on the user journey.

FAQ 100

FAQ Review Report Content 100

Optimist Consulting

OCTOBER 27, 2016

I was recently looking at the FSB’s website and was impressed by how easy it was to navigate, how clearly the information was ‘chunked’ and displayed, and how it showcases their re-brand.

Press Release 100

Press Release Video Maine Content 100

Optimist Consulting

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Here are my top 6 tips from the report I’d like to share for communications professionals within membership organisations to use in their conversations with trustees: Demonstrate the role of communications in good governance and as a reputation manager: Trustees need to report on their organisation’s impact, raise awareness of its work, provide (..)

Communications 100

Communications Tips How To Social Media 100

Optimist Consulting

JULY 20, 2016

Develop a strong business case: If you are asking your members to consider a significant change, you will need to prepare a proper business case and present all the information you would expect to see if you were faced with such a change: include benchmarks, research and financial models to support your case.

Communications 100

Communications Proposal Project Social Media 100

Optimist Consulting

MAY 18, 2014

As a membership organisation you are probably producing lots of your own content and you might also be streaming third party information to members. There is so much content being produced and shared across social media channels.

Social Media 100

Social Media Maine Content Examples 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 26, 2014

It was a really informative read; I encourage you to download a copy. ‘Harnessing the Web to Drive Membership Value and Growth’ is now in its second year. It takes into account the responses of over 400 membership-sector professionals.

Report 100

Report Social Media Email Marketing Maine 100

Optimist Consulting

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

More people act upon it – 73% of respondents acted upon a piece of mail received from a known brand or company with 42% of them taking significant actions such as making a purchase, spending, using the information, ordering, donating, joining, activating or renewing their membership or insurance, for example.

Survey 100

Survey Email Marketing Marketing Cost 100

Optimist Consulting

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

More people act upon it – 73% of respondents acted upon a piece of mail received from a known brand or company with 42% of them taking significant actions such as making a purchase, spending, using the information, ordering, donating, joining, activating or renewing their membership or insurance, for example.

Marketing 100

Marketing Survey Email Marketing Cost 100

Optimist Consulting

MAY 16, 2012

Typically these lunches are fairly informal and are a chance for new members to hear directly about the organisation’s benefits and what the organisation is planning over the coming months. I was talking to a membership contact last week and we were discussing the success of their lunches for new members.

Tips 100

Tips Review Communications Process 100

Optimist Consulting

JANUARY 31, 2013

Big data is the compilation of large complex data sets from across the organisation and can extend to bringing in external behavioural/personal information to create a clearer picture of your customers/members behaviours and preferences. ‘Big data’ is set to become the big thing for marketeers.

Social Media 100

Social Media Content Marketing Communications 100

Optimist Consulting

FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Colour will help people navigate their way, clearly identify the important messages and know whether the information is relevant for them, which will ultimately reward your efforts.”. Used well, colour will greatly enhance your communications and help make them accessible to your members and other audiences.

Communications 100

Communications Tips How To Guidelines 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

– are your audiences receiving a steady flow of information from your organisation or is it focused on certain days that could be leading to overload? Bring copies together of a couple of months’ worth of communications and also mark them in a calendar. Review the communications and determine: – is there a consistent message?

Communications 100

Communications How To Team Tools 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

– are your audiences receiving a steady flow of information from your organisation or is it focused on certain days that could be leading to overload? Bring copies together of a couple of months’ worth of communications and also mark them in a calendar. Review the communications and determine: – is there a consistent message?

Communications 100

Communications How To Team Tools 100

Optimist Consulting

MARCH 30, 2015

are your audiences receiving a steady flow of information from your organisation or is it focused on certain days that could be leading to overload? Bring copies together of a couple of months’ worth of communications and also mark them in a calendar. Review the communications and determine: - is there a consistent message? -

Communications 100

Communications How To Team Tools 100

Optimist Consulting

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Ok, so ‘We Miss You, Mr Bloggs’ is probably not the most apt of email subject titles to go with given you’ll often be communicating information rather than trying to drum-up sales. Please note, however, that all three methods assume you have already identified the emotionally unsubscribed and segmented them accordingly.

Communications 100

Communications Tips Marketing Examples 100

Optimist Consulting

OCTOBER 27, 2016

Your board should also know who has access to confidential information, passwords and social media accounts, internally and what the organisation’s social media policy is. Cyber security: Have your trustees been briefed on the relevant legislation and compliance with the Data Protection Act?

Social Media 100

Social Media Strategy Resources Committee 100

Optimist Consulting

APRIL 9, 2013

The organisation offers a regional network, events, training and information for the speaking community. The PSA is the professional association for anyone who is involved in public speaking, from professional speakers through to senior staff who are required to present regularly. It is a volunteer-led organisation. Changing times.

Recruiting 100

Recruiting Recruitment System Process 100

Optimist Consulting

DECEMBER 11, 2013

In my experience membership bodies often have a lot of information they need to share with members – benefits, events, publications, policy work and news. Membership bodies should think about developing a content plan as part of their marketing planning if they don’t have one. See my previous post about how to do this.

Content 100

Content Report Marketing Social Media 100

Optimist Consulting

DECEMBER 4, 2012

When they entered the market with The Network there were already lots of organisations offering voluntary sector information. This all helps increase the awareness level of the Network, I have seen a number of Advisory Panel members Tweeting content from the Network to their followers. Collaborating. Consistent branding.

Social Media 100

Social Media Revenue Content Communications 100