NABE - News of Interest

What Goes Behind the Wall

Tue, 2 May 2023 17:36:00 GMT

Many association leaders feel that the online content created by the association should be reserved exclusively for members. But are there benefits to keeping some of your content available to all? Association consultants from McKinley Advisors identified two strategies that represent the most common and effective strategies for organizing online information for associations and how they may impact your content marketing strategy. Learn more here.

Newsworthy Newsletters

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:28:00 GMT

Are you struggling to keep your newsletter fresh and newsworthy and worth reading? If you are noticing a drop off in member engagement with your newsletter, it might be time for a refresh. Association Brain Food offers a free guide on “15 Ways to Take Your Newsletter to the Next Level” here.

Non-Dues Revenue Outlook for 2023

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 20:44:00 GMT

What will 2023 look like for associations in terms of non-dues revenue? Association education provider WBT Systems offers a research-based analysis of projected 2023 non-dues revenue trends here.

Using GR for ROI

Wed, 18 May 2022 17:02:00 GMT

According to this blog post from association software provider Quorum, "Your association's government relations team serves as an extension of the company's leadership team. For the price of dues, your members have access to an advocacy team with deep industry and technical knowledge, historical insight into legislative/regulatory issues, and an extensive network of policymakers and their staff." The blog post offers more insights and "7 Ways Your Association's Government Affairs Team Delivers & Demonstrates Membership ROI."

Association Averages

Fri, 6 May 2022 17:31:00 GMT

Are you looking for some comparative data on your association? GrowthZone has issued its annual association survey report, including information on operating budgets, member retention, and other measurable KPIs. In addition, you can find "insightful comments and words of wisdom from hundreds of association professionals." Access the report here.

Raising Dues Right Now

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 20:20:54 GMT

Is right now the right time to raise dues? In this Associations Nowblog post, senior editor Lisa Boylan shares insights from Joy Duling, founder and CEO of the Joy of Membership, on what to consider when raising dues.

Member Experience Over Money

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:29:29 GMT

Focusing on how members feel about their professional association and experience is as essential as focusing on how they think about it, particularly in our current moment. This Smooth the Path blog post provides a “new blueprint for engagement” based on the individual member experience.

Member Experience Over Money

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:29:29 GMT

Membership Marketing Report

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:30:19 GMT

In case you missed it, association consulting group Marketing General Inc. has released its 2021 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report. Download a free copy of the report here.

Adapting Your Membership Model for this Moment

Fri, 3 Sep 2021 16:23:24 GMT

The pandemic proved that membership organizations can sustain and even improve member engagement during tenuous times, but will your current membership model meet your members' needs in this moment? According to Associations Now, an updated membership model may be the key to your association's continued success.

Building Member Loyalty By Creating Community

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:07:25 GMT

In a recent blog post on the sociology of business, author and branding consultant Ana Andjelic discusses brands that successfully use loyalty programs to create connections rather than utilizing "bribes" or a more transactional approach. Read more here.

How Sales Funnels Can Function for Associations

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 21:59:52 GMT

Sales funnels serve several functions and can be useful for tracking successes and setbacks, giving you an understanding of the conversion rates of your outreach, and improving your forecasting accuracy. In this article for CalSAE’s magazine The Executive, Amy Gitchell of GrowthZone AMS offers specifics on employing a sales funnel as part of your association’s membership drive.

Navigating a New Membership Terrain

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:16:59 GMT

In this new and different era, different strategies may be necessary to maintain and grow your membership. Lisa Boylan, Senior Editor for Associations Now, says, “Association executives often default to finding a better marketing strategy when times are tough. But what if marketing isn’t the problem? More and better marketing is not necessarily the solution to all membership challenges, especially right now.” Read more here.

Re-engaging Through Email

Fri, 2 Oct 2020 16:11:11 GMT

When it comes to re-engaging former members, according to Associations Now contributor Michael Hickey, "a dry, formal request to renew probably won't drive lapsed members to action. Though you don't need to be overly casual, messages should carry an air of familiarity, and your care for members should shine through." He provides further insights in this recent article.

Subscription or Membership?

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:47:48 GMT

According to association management expert Mary Byers, CAE, "If you're not discussing subscriptions internally, you should be. They are the rage — and I believe they are here to stay in some form or another. For associations, this may be less about the subscription and more about tiered packaging." Read more here. For a panel discussion from the 2019 NABE Midyear Meeting on bars using different membership models, click here.

Don't Ask Members What They Want

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:46:47 GMT

Associations Now suggests that instead of asking members what they want and putting the onus on them, “Asking questions such as, ‘What are your most important goals in your profession or industry that you’re having trouble achieving? And/or what are the problems you’re having on a day-to-day process that you can’t seem to solve?’ creates an opportunity for associations to provide more value.” Read more here.

Steal This Idea: Vendor Market Place

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 15:18:29 GMT

While most bar associations dedicate some of their website real estate to their member benefit partners, the Nebraska State Bar Association also hosts an online Vendor Market Place. A page on their website is designed solely to provide Nebraska bar members with a “listing of companies that have chosen to provide services that may assist your practice in doing its business.” Visit the Vendor Market Place here.

Email Effectiveness

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:09:37 GMT

How much email is too much email? According to the Smooth the Path blog, “During the first three weeks, members also learn whether they should read or ignore our emails. When emails are timely and value-packed, members look forward to them. But when messages are dull, demanding, long, and pleading marketing messages, they start habitually ignoring emails.” Read the article here.

Coffee Break Webinars

Fri, 8 Nov 2019 21:10:24 GMT

Do all of your non-CLE education programs need to be an hour long? Or are there key points that your speakers can cover quickly? Associations Now introduces a new concept: Coffee Break Webinars. Read more here.

Non-Dues Revenue - Can Your Members Help?

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 22:00:48 GMT

Before embarking on a big non-dues revenue initiative, Associations Now recommends adding your members to your think-tank. They are the subject-matter experts on what they want and will use, after all. Read more here.

Membership Growth

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:28:24 GMT

Is “word of mouth” still a part of your marketing and growth strategy? Advice from a recent Smooth the Path blog post states: “Are current members getting a ton of value and having great experiences with your association? If they are, gently remind them to tell their friends.” Read the entire post here.

Managing Partner Forum Survey Results

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 17:58:31 GMT

Law firm leaders see marketing and business development and succession planning among their top priorities, according to the results of the recent Managing Partner Forum Survey. Learn more about what your members may be focused on by reviewing the survey results here.

The Importance of Association for Association Executives

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:15:20 GMT

Nick Hansen of the Hennepin County Bar Association shared his insights on the benefits of his NABE membership in Communicators Talk, the NABE Communications Section newsletter.

Managing Member Expectations

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 20:23:46 GMT

“When we communicate we need to be aware that we are not overselling the experience and we need to add enough detail for members to understand what to really expect.” This blog post covers how to successfully set client expectations.

Steal This Idea: Spot Mentoring

Thu, 6 Jun 2019 21:15:04 GMT

The Louisiana State Bar Association provides a venue for attorneys 2-7 years in practice to post questions on different aspects of being a lawyer. Mentors can answer by email, phone, or in person. Learn more here.