I was wondering why there are so few webinars next week, and then it dawned on me – it’s Thanksgiving week! What? Already? I’m glad I figured that out before scheduling work for myself on Thursday.
To make up for the lack of webinars, here are some good reads for you, starting with one of the best posts I’ve read on website user experience. Orbit Media provides 40 “painless tactics” for improving your website so you can hold on to visitors and move them along a path to action. Usually I ignore listicle posts with this many tips – I can only take in so much – but this one is a winner. Make a checklist out of it, get with your team and start working on them one by one.
Nag nag nag, yes, I’m always nagging you about cybersecurity. It’s for your own good! But watch, one of these days, I’ll be the one to get hacked. It’s inevitable. If you’re not using a password management app to help you generate and store strong passwords, you’re asking for it. And for goodness sakes, back everything up on a daily basis, just in case you’re hit by ransomware – but that’s a whole other topic.
Don’t be perplexed by SEO. Google’s mysterious algorithms have become human-centric: they reward high-quality, relevant content. Good writing is the most important factor (ahem) – that along with the five website fundamentals described by HighRoad Solution in this post about low-hanging SEO fruit.
I love combining a conference with a vacation. In September, after a few days in Phoenix where Jim had a conference, we headed north to Sedona for a few days of hiking. Two trips for the price of one! Planning a conference at the same time as a festival sounds like a winner idea to me, especially in a city like Montréal – haven’t been there since a trip with my high school French Club. I’d say I’m overdue.
Thanks to MemberClicks for including me in their list of 11 essential Twitter accounts for association professionals and for including a shout-out to Association Brain Food.
I’ve moved on to a few new books. I’m reading my fourth Jane Austen this year, Mansfield Park. I never tire of reading her and this is a new one for me.
My current non-fiction read is Notorious Victoria: The Uncensored Life of Victoria Woodhull – Visionary, Suffragist, and First Woman to Run for President. I always knew about Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott, but never Victoria Woodhull – what a character!
Now on to the list of this week’s free webinars and learning events. It won’t take you long to read. If your organization has a webinar scheduled in the next few weeks, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Mon 11/21 at 2 p.m.* – Turn Your Website into a Membership Growth Engine
Even someone without any tech experience can turn their website into a new member recruiter — in just an afternoon. Learn about three website changes that will start attracting new members right away; how to get volunteers to easily make updates by themselves (even if they don’t have any tech experience); and how other organizations use their website to drive membership growth. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Terry Ibele, growth specialist, Wild Apricot
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 11/22 at 1 p.m. – Attendee Engagement Crash Course
Attendees are often distracted during sessions, hesitant about networking, or don’t have the opportunity to share feedback or get involved. Find out how leading conferences create valuable networking experiences and get attendees to participate. Discover ways to properly measure attendee engagement and satisfaction. More info/register.
Host: Bizzabo
Presenters:
- Sean Holladay, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Crowd Mics
- David Epstein, content marketing manager, Bizzabo
Tue 11/22 at 2 p.m. – Association Chat
I don’t know what KiKi has planned for Tuesday. You can find out by following her on Twitter or Crowdcast (where Association Chat is broadcast each week) or by following Association Chat on Twitter or Facebook.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Update: The topic is Tech Investments & Associations – What You Need to Know with guest Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic. Will he wear his famous love-it-or-hate-it orange jacket? Check out the full description on the Association Chat site.
Wed 11/23 at 12:30 p.m. – Making Meetings & Conferences Safe and Welcoming
Most meeting producers are generally unaware of how often harassment occurs at their meetings. Explore this issue in an interactive 20-minute live chat using Slack. More info/register.
Organizer: Lucas Cioffi and ASAE
Facilitator: Sherry Marts, consultant and coach, S*Marts Consulting
Thu 11/24 at 12 p.m. – How to Use Snapchat
If you rather figure out snaps than celebrate Thanksgiving, check out this class from CreativeLive. It’s only free when it airs on Thanksgiving Day, otherwise it’s $59 on demand, so you’re going to have to decide between filters and feasting. More info/register.
Host: CreativeLive
Presenter: Joel Comm, chief executive officer, InfoMedia
That’s it for this week. If you can’t attend a live webinar, go ahead and register if the topic interests you. Most webinar hosts send registrants a link to the recording.
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email or Twitter.
<Creative Commons licensed image by Bart.>
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