Smooth The Path

MARCH 11, 2021

Most of the member research I do is core member research, but I have had the chance to conduct a good body of exhibitor/sponsor member research over the years. There is a common thread in the research across many associations, and that is exhibitors are tired of feeling like “the wallet.”

Member Research 113

Member Research Cost Conference Industry 113

Portage Group

AUGUST 8, 2012

It never ceases to amaze me how easily association executives and boards dismiss the need for conducting member research, confident that they have an accurate finger on the pulse of their key stakeholders. Perhaps you make it a habit to pick up the phone or drop in on members periodically to talk to them one-on-one.

Survey 100

Survey Member Research Committee Process 100

Reid All About it

MAY 3, 2019

Amanda Kaiser dispels three myths on why people join associations and reveals the real reason—based on her member research. Tim Ahlenius, Director of Digital Strategy, Americaneagle.com. According to ASAE’s ForesightWorks research, trust in institutions, including government, science, and medicine, is declining.

Tucson 262

Tucson Phoenix Products Member Engagement 262

Associations Now

MAY 4, 2016

That’s where in-depth qualitative research came in, and CFMA turned to Amanda Kaiser, chief path finder at Kaiser Insights LLC, who specializes in interview-based member research. “That one-to-three-year member, that member’s probably fairly new to construction. .

Member Research 40

Member Research Sample Industry Report 40

Sequence Consulting

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

However, when considering member research, caution is advised. It is widely acknowledged in market research that individuals do not always follow through on what they express, mainly when it concerns pricing. Their opinions may differ when answering a survey compared to when they have to make a payment.

Revenue 72

Revenue Strategy Price Analysis 72

Smooth The Path

DECEMBER 21, 2015

As a member researcher I see some validity to this statement. Research, particularly qualitative research is very good at naming member problems but members themselves are often hard pressed to articulate the right solution. If they had the solution their problem would not be a problem any more.

Member Research 94

Member Research Survey Products Technology 94

Reid All About it

JULY 9, 2021

Fri 7/9 at 12 p.m.* – Strategy First, Software Next. To explore this question, we are kicking off a three-part series—the first will be “Strategy First, Software Next.” Improve Your Email Engagement with a Conversational Email Strategy. Presenters: Ryan Costello, Chief Strategy Officer, MemberSuite.

Rhode Island 195

Rhode Island Technology Strategy Member Engagement 195

Association Success

MAY 28, 2019

How is your association consistently aligning its strategic plan and business strategy with its brand? In the association space, we often think that advocacy means fundraising for the organization and lobbying to members of Congress on behalf of the organization’s and members’ mission.

Survey 113

Survey Social Media Member Research Marketing 113

Smooth The Path

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Each one of these behaviors can be deadly, but the last one, focusing more on younger members may have the power to solve all the others. MemberClicks blog author Callie Walker has been banging the drum about changing associations to serve younger members better. Consider a young professionals page on your website.

Recruiting 108

Recruiting Recruitment How To Member Research 108

Smooth The Path

AUGUST 2, 2016

Likely members like the conference more or less than we assume they do. The problem with being disconnected with members is we may focus on the wrong strategies, develop the wrong new products or services or send out marketing messages that just don’t hit the mark. Might your association be out of sync with members?

Member Research 60

Member Research Survey Conference Strategy 60

Associations Now

AUGUST 28, 2023

The rebound is likely due to several factors, including a focus on innovative programs and new member recruitment, as well as associations successfully communicating their value proposition to members. Here’s a look at some of the strategies and marketing tactics that stood out in the report.

Report 98

Report Recruiting Recruitment Innovation 98

Guilt by Association

AUGUST 17, 2010

Most of us are continually refining our objectives, strategies and technologies. Our members are playing all over the digital landscape. Your member research should tell you where to focus. At each stage, there were successes, failures, and lessons learned. And we’re learning from each other, which is absolutely AWESOME.

Strategy 40

Strategy Communications Marketing Chicago 40

Smooth The Path

AUGUST 30, 2016

Just like – what doesn’t make for a very compelling story but, why does – what doesn’t make for very actionable member insights but why does. Think of all the member research you have done whether it is analyzing the data or conducting surveys. Likely you have gotten a lot of what -type insights.

Las Vegas 79

Las Vegas Member Insights Member Research Survey 79

Socious

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Completed by member research and association expert Amanda Kaiser, the study also delves into how and why those associations are innovating, as well as why other associations may be struggling. Step 3) Define Your Strategy. Even the organizations that aren’t consistently innovating seem to recognize its value.

Innovation 100

Innovation Membership Management Process Products 100

Fonteva

FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Whether more engaging alternatives are popping up or you’ve simply run out of fresh ideas, it’s worth it to explore how you can strengthen your association member engagement strategy. The same best practices used to engage staff internally can and should teach you a thing or two about boosting external engagement with your members.

Member Engagement 98

Member Engagement Tips Recruiting Recruitment 98

Smooth The Path

JUNE 18, 2019

My first-year member experience lines up with many other new member’s experiences according to member research. Associations tend to have very robust renewal programs, but meager new member onboarding programs. Once my year’s membership was up, I didn’t give the association a second thought.

Organization 108

Organization Member Engagement Member Experience Video 108

Smooth The Path

MAY 7, 2017

There is not another thing that will sustainably drive awareness, engagement, and retention more than understanding our members. Understanding our members helps us stay in lockstep with our members. It is our understanding of them that guides the organization’s strategy.

Member Engagement 84

Member Engagement How To Case Study Conference 84

Associations Now

MARCH 19, 2019

Say goodbye to the event registration strategies of yore: Facial recognition and customized software-as-a-service solutions are taking center stage. “We It doesn’t come without risks , says member researcher Amanda Kaiser. Also: Finding a learning management system fit for your organization. Printed tickets? Other Links of Note.

LMS 66

LMS Learning Management System Software System 66

Smooth The Path

AUGUST 6, 2018

The results of years of member research show that high-performing professionals tend to move through three stages during their career. Here is another way to look for gaps in your association’s value proposition.

Association Value 84

Association Value Member Research Team Industry 84

Smooth The Path

MAY 23, 2017

We can change the organization’s strategy. We can develop offerings members love. We can attract high-quality members with our improved marketing. It is Day 1 for the associations who know the answers to these questions. Let us say we know the answers to these questions. Now we can act on that information.

Project 89

Project Member Engagement Conference Strategy 89

Associations Now

AUGUST 27, 2018

And if that strategy fails, well, there’s nothing wrong with being honest. Event Marketer breaks down five strategies for how to bring the technology to your conference. On her Smooth the Path blog, member researcher Amanda Kaiser outlines how broken processes can inhibit engagement. Other Links of Note.

Social Media 51

Social Media Recruiting Recruitment Member Research 51

Smooth The Path

JULY 26, 2018

One of the core staff values would be to be intensely member-focused. We would talk with members often, conduct listening tours, and interview them. We would use all the member insights we gain to develop our member communications, set our strategy, and create an innovation plan.

Innovation 74

Innovation Member Insights Member Experience Member Engagement 74

Smooth The Path

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Related: Industry Study Brings a New Way for Association Professionals to Think About Member Engagement. The New Member Engagement Rule of Three. Fueling Exceptional New Member Experiences: Strategies for Member Onboarding, Engagement, and Retention E-book.

Member Engagement 138

Member Engagement Member Experience Survey Report 138

Smooth The Path

OCTOBER 4, 2016

It is so frustrating… Industry suppliers launch competitive products and events and our members purchase them. Members have a challenging problem and we have the solution but they do not use our solution. We reach only 14% of the population of potential members. Only 25% of our members come to the conference.

Price 127

Price Member Experience Products Conference 127

Smooth The Path

DECEMBER 14, 2015

Learn who your best members are and how they interact with the association. When you have completed that, let’s talk about qualitative methods of member research to uncover the behavior, preference and problem segments. Start with the segmenting you can do with the association’s data and surveys.

Survey 68

Survey Member Research Industry Member Experience 68

Associations Now

JUNE 29, 2016

In Friday’s general session, Amanda Kaiser of Kaiser Insights LLC shared her experience in getting inside the minds of members for better recruitment and engagement. Kaiser specializes in qualitative member research, mainly conducting in-depth member interviews for associations.

Recruiting 69

Recruiting Recruitment Sample Discount 69

Smooth The Path

NOVEMBER 6, 2016

What else should the association do to support members during these extremely challenging times? In preparation for other strategic planning processes the association conducted quantitative member surveys but found the results were not all that actionable because there continued to be so many unanswered questions.

Case Study 104

Case Study Project Association Value Member Engagement 104

Membership Marketing

JULY 11, 2024

Our data suggest that many associations turn to market research to address this challenge. Our data show that 38% of associations conduct member research annually, and 29% conduct member research at an even greater frequency. The use of research positively correlates with encouraging membership numbers.

Report 40

Report Marketing Member Research Innovation 40

Smooth The Path

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

When one of my proposals for member research doesn’t move forward with a perspective client I know that I’m one proposal closer to one that will move forward. -Instead of being upset while deleting a blog post that is not quite good enough I try to think of it as the necessary draft needed before I get to a much better one.

Proposal 60

Proposal Member Research Tips Team 60

Achurch

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Team members make eye contact with each other and talk energetically with each other. Team members connect with each other and not just the leader. Team members research ideas outside of the boundaries of the team and bring back the best ideas. Water-cooler or hallway conversations carry over into the team meetings.

Team 79

Team Member Research Communications Leadership 79

Associations Now

JUNE 11, 2013

Many associations are reevaluating programs and services to determine the most efficient ways to run their organizations and how to best serve their members, Schonher added. Sixty percent of executives reported their association has a separate strategic plan to increase member engagement.

Report 40

Report Survey Member Engagement Member Research 40

Smooth The Path

APRIL 24, 2018

Our members are self-centered. Our members have… no time. Only organizations that solve our member’s problems, speak their language, and understand them will get their time and attention. Not in a bad way, we are all self-centered. and their attention is scattered.

Member Engagement 95

Member Engagement Marketing Organization Member Insights 95

MemberClicks

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The board of directors looks at long-term strategy and governance. Rather, their role is to finesse day to day operations to be sure the organization proceeds in a way that is in line with the values and strategies of the association as a whole. They also help execute the strategies that the board has decided on.

Committee 52

Committee Organization Leadership Strategy 52

Smooth The Path

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

The trouble with association boards is they tend to be populated with super-members. Super-members are members who are so engaged, so seasoned, so advanced in the profession or industry they are not like most members. They know everyone and everything.

How To 90

How To Member Experience Resources Industry 90

Associations Now

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Your intrepid membership blogger returns from two conferences at regional societies of association executives with a roundup of tips and ideas, including great questions for member research and the power of delegating metric measurement to staff. Here’s a new membership metric for your association to track: retention rates.

Connecticut 40

Connecticut New York New Jersey Member Research 40

Smooth The Path

OCTOBER 25, 2018

Your most engaged members and your board members may not represent the rest of your members. For example, long-time members love traditional receptions; new members typically hate them. New members need to learn the basics while long-time members get tired of hearing the same old sessions.

Examples 84

Examples Process Member Research Strategy 84

Smooth The Path

JUNE 30, 2016

Related: Members need association help when they face change or start something new. Did you know that member surveys can be risky? The award-winning process for association innovation. The post One Thing We can do to Prepare for Change appeared first on Smooth The Path.

Innovation 74

Innovation Survey Process Member Insights 74