I was on a thread recently where folks listed some of the craziest suggestions they’ve received from well-meaning know-it-alls. I thought I’d share 15 of the most utterly insane ones. And to make up for it, at the end of this post I share three simple, yet highly effective strategies from some of the best fundraisers I’ve come across. Fundraising fundraising-ideas MORE
59 Are you asking attendees the same old questions on your postconference surveys? If so, you may want to consider shaking up the script to get a fresh perspective. After I returned from a conference a couple of months ago, the standard postconference survey appeared in my inbox. MORE
Brittany Thompson, Naylor Association Solutions. Competitors emerge every day. There is someone out there who claims to do it better, faster and cheaper. MORE
Even the best executives have blind spots. A little introspection can help uncover them, but getting feedback beyond the performance review is essential. MORE
Getting people to join your association is like making a sale. You need to offer them something they want enough that they’re willing to pay for it. The problem is that many other organizations have similar offers and value propositions. MORE
You probably read a lot about email best practices - when to email your members; what day, time, etc. And while all of that is important (and definitely good to follow!), there’s something a little bigger we should all keep in mind, and that’s the context of our emails in relation to other emails. MORE
Amazon entering the world of brick-and-mortar retail and grocery feels like we’re entering a new era in retail competition and offerings. Are these signs we must change and rapidly move towards different strategic objectives to keep up? It seems slightly overwhelming to think of all the moving pieces around us without some guidance and reflection. The post Amazon consumed Whole Foods. WOW, right? appeared first on YourMembership. Membership & Marketing MORE
63 
A blog post is actually about way more than the topic it covers. Quality association blog posts drive web traffic, and increased web traffic improves your SEO ranking (search engine optimization) – which in turn creates more awareness about your organization. MORE
As the juggernaut in consumer search, Google’s new focus on helping connect job seekers and employers carries with it the weight of tremendous scale. Working with Google, YourMembership (YM) has quickly ensured jobs posted to the career centers of our nearly 3,000 YM Careers customers are indexed and now discoverable in Google for Jobs. The post YM Careers customers see traffic lift from Google for Jobs. appeared first on YourMembership. Career Solutions Job Board Software Google MORE
50 
CASL is the Canadian Anti-spam Law, which was passed several years ago, and is now in full effect in Canada. One of its key enforcement features, known as private right of action, which would have allowed lawsuits to be filed against individuals and organizations for alleged violations of the legislation, has been suspended. Click here to read more about that. This doesn’t mean associations are off the hook for dealing with CASL issues, but it does buy some time. MORE
21 Do you currently segment your association’s membership for marketing campaigns? Do you send out varying email messages based on member type, geographic location, special interest group, etc.? What about by generation? MORE
Several years ago, ASAE’s keynote presentation was by Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. Her talk – and her book – changed my world. MORE
Canada’s Anti-Spam Law took effect in 2014, but a three-year grace period just ended. Sending marketing emails to the Great White North now demands you ask users to opt in. MORE
There is a short window of opportunity to engage new members. If we do not reach them while the window is open, it snaps shut, forever. Most new members join with high hopes. They are curious to see what their membership will do for them because they do not specifically know what it will provide. The post The new member engagement rule of 3. appeared first on YourMembership. Membership & Marketing Member Engagement MORE
Meeting planners are dealing with these five conference trends—and finding that cities across Canada are poised to meet their needs. Some association executives would argue that face-to-face conferences have never been more important than they are today. MORE
Got dry, boring content for your e-learning course? Want to make sure your e-learning isn’t just “text and next”? As an education professional at your organization, you can create an engaging learning experience to help people do their jobs better. Yet, if you aren’t strategic about how you go about it, the learning can be. The post 7 ways to boost engagement in your e-learning. appeared first on YourMembership. Online Learning Professional Development MORE
Mentors are a vital part of any industry. Through mentoring, employees get the chance to learn vital skills and increase competency in ways that boost morale and job satisfaction – something that’s improving with technology. MORE
Here are some cool jobs, hand-picked by me, that you can find via the SocialFish job board ! We focus on jobs in social media , marketing , communications , PR , advocacy , and digital. . MORE
Historically, organizations have struggled to integrate community into their infrastructure and customer-facing offerings. MORE
As voice recognition apps spread, associations are exploring ways to answer common membership questions and provide popular services using voice command. Before we begin, I need to come clean—I’m quickly becoming an Alexa addict. Recently, I received Amazon’s Echo Dot as a gift. MORE
Technology is evolving at an alarming rate. Does your traditional, one-size-fits-all membership model align with your members’ changing expectations driven by technology? Innovative companies like Amazon and Netflix have dramatically altered our expectation of online and on-demand experiences. The technological shifts your association is experiencing (and the experiences your members expect) is a natural response. Membership & Marketing Member Retention MORE
Membership teams have questions about how to build insights from web analytics and data. A few experts explain how membership pros can increase their data visibility and easily spot “dark social” traffic. MORE
Why do people go to conferences even though online learning and books are a better deal? You might say for the networking. Because of relationships. For the experience. For fun. These are all reasons to go to a conference rather than buy a book or take an online class. MORE
#FSAE17 is the first of 3 stops this summer to share what we discovered. in the ASAE Foundation research on optimizing association volunteerism. through mutually beneficial programs. Here's a look at what we're. sharing MORE
It’s with great pleasure that Software Advice, one of the top software review sites, just awarded us their Top Five spot for Ease of Use when it comes to membership management software. Award SoftwareAdvice MORE
Using the internet to find images for your association’s website and social media channels? BE CAREFUL! It’s critical to avoid copyright infringements. Get 30 quick and easy ideas for association social media posts ». MORE
Are you worried your association is dying off? Member engagement expert Sarah Sladek gives you a formula that will predict your organization's life expectancy, and shows you how to ensure your association continues to thrive. Sarah-Sladek membership-growth membership attrition leadership member-retention association MORE
If you want to spend more time building local businesses up and less time managing the administrative work of your Chamber, Chamber of Commerce software may be for you — here's everything you need to know about Chamber of Commerce software, along with 9 options and how to evaluate between them. chamber of commerce MORE
Did you know that 80 percent of your future revenue will come from only 20 percent of your current customers ? This highlights just how important your existing customers are to growing your business. MORE
Your weekly list of free webinars and events for the association community… Many of us, after enjoying a four-day weekend, now have to reconcile ourselves to the usual two-day affair. Luckily, you can make your weekend feel longer than it really is by seeking out newness. MORE
In order to design relevant education and networking experiences at our conferences, we need to be focused to the point of obsession with our target audience. Over the past 18 months, we’ve carefully scrubbed and analyzed the attendance of 20 major conferences. MORE
Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) came into effect July 1, 2014. Its purpose is to protect Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace. Improve Your Association’s. Email Open Rates ». MORE
I was speaking at an ASAE event recently and ran into a woman I had worked with at a past client. She explained to me that she had moved on to another association, to help with their marketing there. As she was telling me about her new job, she said “On the first day there, I opened up their association management software system and I said ‘Wow! I can actually figure out what’s going on in here.’”. MORE
When I work with clients, one thing I focus on is process. How is data managed within the organization? What steps are followed? What technology is used? Where does staff spend their time? One thing I’ve learned over the years is that what often seems like a small thing can turn out to be a big time sucker. A process that seems simple enough, repeated many times per day, can really add up. For example, one association I worked with has a corporate membership category. MORE
I was leaving the gym this morning when I encountered a trio on the. elevator. The young man looking down at sandal-clad feet said to me “my. mother has bunions too.” His mother immediately shushed him and turned. to apologize as I laughed and said and “she probably doesn’t like hers. any more than I do mine, does she?” The mother said so sorry, he has. autism and just says things. My immediate reaction was there’s no need. to apologize or explain; the beauty of our America is our diversity MORE
33 During the summer meeting season, we see all the same social outings listed on everyone’s agenda: hosting a round of golf, running a 5k, taking a city tour, etc. And while that’s okay (there is something to be said about sticking with classic networking events that work!), MORE
Your weekly list of free webinars and events for the association community… Evidence, not ego, must drive digital transformation , says Gerry McGovern. MORE
Higher Logic
JULY 11, 2017
Did you know that 80 percent of your future revenue will come from only 20 percent of your current customers ? This highlights just how important your existing customers are to growing your business.
SocialFish
JULY 12, 2017
Here are some cool jobs, hand-picked by me, that you can find via the SocialFish job board ! We focus on jobs in social media , marketing , communications , PR , advocacy , and digital. .
YourMembership Blog
JULY 17, 2017
Amazon entering the world of brick-and-mortar retail and grocery feels like we’re entering a new era in retail competition and offerings. Are these signs we must change and rapidly move towards different strategic objectives to keep up? It seems slightly overwhelming to think of all the moving pieces around us without some guidance and reflection. The post Amazon consumed Whole Foods. WOW, right? appeared first on YourMembership. Membership & Marketing
Associations Now
JULY 5, 2017
Membership teams have questions about how to build insights from web analytics and data. A few experts explain how membership pros can increase their data visibility and easily spot “dark social” traffic.
Wild Apricot Blog
JULY 12, 2017
I was on a thread recently where folks listed some of the craziest suggestions they’ve received from well-meaning know-it-alls. I thought I’d share 15 of the most utterly insane ones. And to make up for it, at the end of this post I share three simple, yet highly effective strategies from some of the best fundraisers I’ve come across. Fundraising fundraising-ideas
YourMembership Blog
JULY 6, 2017
There is a short window of opportunity to engage new members. If we do not reach them while the window is open, it snaps shut, forever. Most new members join with high hopes. They are curious to see what their membership will do for them because they do not specifically know what it will provide. The post The new member engagement rule of 3. appeared first on YourMembership. Membership & Marketing Member Engagement
Associations Now
JULY 11, 2017
Canada’s Anti-Spam Law took effect in 2014, but a three-year grace period just ended. Sending marketing emails to the Great White North now demands you ask users to opt in.
Wild Apricot Blog
JULY 20, 2017
It’s with great pleasure that Software Advice, one of the top software review sites, just awarded us their Top Five spot for Ease of Use when it comes to membership management software. Award SoftwareAdvice
Velvet Chainsaw
JULY 10, 2017
In order to design relevant education and networking experiences at our conferences, we need to be focused to the point of obsession with our target audience. Over the past 18 months, we’ve carefully scrubbed and analyzed the attendance of 20 major conferences.
Higher Logic
JULY 6, 2017
Several years ago, ASAE’s keynote presentation was by Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. Her talk – and her book – changed my world.
Mariner
JULY 4, 2017
I was leaving the gym this morning when I encountered a trio on the. elevator. The young man looking down at sandal-clad feet said to me “my. mother has bunions too.” His mother immediately shushed him and turned. to apologize as I laughed and said and “she probably doesn’t like hers. any more than I do mine, does she?” The mother said so sorry, he has. autism and just says things. My immediate reaction was there’s no need. to apologize or explain; the beauty of our America is our diversity
YourMembership Blog
JULY 18, 2017
As the juggernaut in consumer search, Google’s new focus on helping connect job seekers and employers carries with it the weight of tremendous scale. Working with Google, YourMembership (YM) has quickly ensured jobs posted to the career centers of our nearly 3,000 YM Careers customers are indexed and now discoverable in Google for Jobs. The post YM Careers customers see traffic lift from Google for Jobs. appeared first on YourMembership. Career Solutions Job Board Software Google
Associations Now
JULY 10, 2017
Even the best executives have blind spots. A little introspection can help uncover them, but getting feedback beyond the performance review is essential.
Wild Apricot Blog
JULY 20, 2017
Are you worried your association is dying off? Member engagement expert Sarah Sladek gives you a formula that will predict your organization's life expectancy, and shows you how to ensure your association continues to thrive. Sarah-Sladek membership-growth membership attrition leadership member-retention association
Reid All About it
JULY 14, 2017
Your weekly list of free webinars and events for the association community… Evidence, not ego, must drive digital transformation , says Gerry McGovern.
Higher Logic
JULY 20, 2017
Historically, organizations have struggled to integrate community into their infrastructure and customer-facing offerings.
MembersClick
JULY 13, 2017
During the summer meeting season, we see all the same social outings listed on everyone’s agenda: hosting a round of golf, running a 5k, taking a city tour, etc. And while that’s okay (there is something to be said about sticking with classic networking events that work!),
YourMembership Blog
JULY 11, 2017
Technology is evolving at an alarming rate. Does your traditional, one-size-fits-all membership model align with your members’ changing expectations driven by technology? Innovative companies like Amazon and Netflix have dramatically altered our expectation of online and on-demand experiences. The technological shifts your association is experiencing (and the experiences your members expect) is a natural response. Membership & Marketing Member Retention
Associations Now
JULY 7, 2017
Are you asking attendees the same old questions on your postconference surveys? If so, you may want to consider shaking up the script to get a fresh perspective. After I returned from a conference a couple of months ago, the standard postconference survey appeared in my inbox.
GrowthZone
JULY 17, 2017
Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) came into effect July 1, 2014. Its purpose is to protect Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace. Improve Your Association’s. Email Open Rates ».
Effective Databse
JULY 5, 2017
I was speaking at an ASAE event recently and ran into a woman I had worked with at a past client. She explained to me that she had moved on to another association, to help with their marketing there. As she was telling me about her new job, she said “On the first day there, I opened up their association management software system and I said ‘Wow! I can actually figure out what’s going on in here.’”.
Higher Logic
JULY 18, 2017
Mentors are a vital part of any industry. Through mentoring, employees get the chance to learn vital skills and increase competency in ways that boost morale and job satisfaction – something that’s improving with technology.
MembersClick
JULY 17, 2017
Do you currently segment your association’s membership for marketing campaigns? Do you send out varying email messages based on member type, geographic location, special interest group, etc.? What about by generation?
Wild Apricot Blog
JULY 5, 2017
If you want to spend more time building local businesses up and less time managing the administrative work of your Chamber, Chamber of Commerce software may be for you — here's everything you need to know about Chamber of Commerce software, along with 9 options and how to evaluate between them. chamber of commerce
Associations Now
JULY 19, 2017
As voice recognition apps spread, associations are exploring ways to answer common membership questions and provide popular services using voice command. Before we begin, I need to come clean—I’m quickly becoming an Alexa addict. Recently, I received Amazon’s Echo Dot as a gift.
GrowthZone
JULY 12, 2017
A blog post is actually about way more than the topic it covers. Quality association blog posts drive web traffic, and increased web traffic improves your SEO ranking (search engine optimization) – which in turn creates more awareness about your organization.
Effective Databse
JULY 10, 2017
When I work with clients, one thing I focus on is process. How is data managed within the organization? What steps are followed? What technology is used? Where does staff spend their time? One thing I’ve learned over the years is that what often seems like a small thing can turn out to be a big time sucker. A process that seems simple enough, repeated many times per day, can really add up. For example, one association I worked with has a corporate membership category.
YourMembership Blog
JULY 20, 2017
Got dry, boring content for your e-learning course? Want to make sure your e-learning isn’t just “text and next”? As an education professional at your organization, you can create an engaging learning experience to help people do their jobs better. Yet, if you aren’t strategic about how you go about it, the learning can be. The post 7 ways to boost engagement in your e-learning. appeared first on YourMembership. Online Learning Professional Development
MembersClick
JULY 10, 2017
You probably read a lot about email best practices - when to email your members; what day, time, etc. And while all of that is important (and definitely good to follow!), there’s something a little bigger we should all keep in mind, and that’s the context of our emails in relation to other emails.
Association Adviser
JULY 11, 2017
Brittany Thompson, Naylor Association Solutions. Competitors emerge every day. There is someone out there who claims to do it better, faster and cheaper.
Associations Now
JULY 5, 2017
Meeting planners are dealing with these five conference trends—and finding that cities across Canada are poised to meet their needs. Some association executives would argue that face-to-face conferences have never been more important than they are today.
GrowthZone
JULY 10, 2017
Using the internet to find images for your association’s website and social media channels? BE CAREFUL! It’s critical to avoid copyright infringements. Get 30 quick and easy ideas for association social media posts ».
Effective Databse
JULY 13, 2017
CASL is the Canadian Anti-spam Law, which was passed several years ago, and is now in full effect in Canada. One of its key enforcement features, known as private right of action, which would have allowed lawsuits to be filed against individuals and organizations for alleged violations of the legislation, has been suspended. Click here to read more about that. This doesn’t mean associations are off the hook for dealing with CASL issues, but it does buy some time.
Smooth The Path
JULY 18, 2017
Why do people go to conferences even though online learning and books are a better deal? You might say for the networking. Because of relationships. For the experience. For fun. These are all reasons to go to a conference rather than buy a book or take an online class.
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