Recruitment & Retention Top Ten Hints

"It's often the same sad story. Some poor sucker asks, "What are the benefits of membership?"      The association representative takes a deep breath and rattles out... "We have a magazine, a web site, an email bulletin, a conference, training and... blar blar blar   "WHO CARES!" Belinda Busoli, Strategic Membership Solutions

Have you ever been in that position - somehow you just can't get your message through?  Then take a look at out top ten hints:

1		Make joining your workplace or professional group easy for new members. For example, can people join your group on line?
2		High Risk members are those who join in the first year so make sure you communicate with them.
3		Always ask a new member,  "How did you hear about us?"
4		'Nuggets for New Members' - make sure you e-mail them within the first month of joining your group with news specifically for them.
5		Be sure to communicate the VALUE of membership - NOT the number of activities you do through your group.
6		Invest in technology and use it to attract and keep members.
7		Use pod casts and blogs to keep your web site interactive and personal
8		Be personal when sending out mail shots especially if web generated e-mails.
9		Put your web site address on your answer phone so even if you are not in the office, questions can still be answered.
10		When members leave your group ask them, "Could we have done anything differently?" "Are you still a supporter of our work?"

 

These top ten tips were taken from conference notes from The '100 Great Member Recruitment & Retention Ideas' Day.  30 September 2008, London.