Blog
Membership Q&A: Maximizing Revenue AND Participation
What dues rates will maximize both revenue and participation? That’s a good one! This question actually came in from a client, and here’s what I told them: The perils of pricing too high are obvious…
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Membership Q&A: Networking Events
What is the best type of networking event to hold to get the maximum member engagement? It depends. I know, I say that a lot. I’ve participated in – or seen – all kinds of…
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Membership Q&A: What’s the Most Effective Renewal Cycle?
When is the best time of the year to begin renewal communications to members? How many notices should we send? Should we send paper or electronic notices? What should we send WITH the notices? I hate to…
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Membership Q&A: Don’t Leave Us!
What’s the #1 reason a long-standing member would not renew? As Dr. Theodore Woodward of the University of Maryland School of Medicine taught his med students in the 1940: “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses…
Read More →Membership Q&A: How Much Is TOO Much?
How many follow up touch points is too many follow up touch points? When are we just getting annoying? A good general rule is: As long as you’re still getting enough response to justify the…
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Membership Q&A: Who Makes the Call?
Who should make contact around things like joining and renewing: other members or staff? Member-to-member (or member-to-prospect) communications can be very effective, IF you can persuade your members to actually make the calls. We’re often tempted…
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Membership Q&A: Tiered Benefits
Do members respond well to “tiered” membership plans? Generally, yes, with an important caveat. There must be meaningful differences in member behavior patterns. If all your members pretty much behave the same and use your benefits…
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Membership Q&A: Is There a Tipping Point?
Is there a “tipping point” when too many benefits start to get lost in the shuffle? People associate because they’re trying to accomplish something or solve a problem that they’ve been unable to do alone. So…
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Membership Q&A: Discounts
Are members who join with a price incentive more or less likely to renew membership the following year? Less likely. Don’t offer pricing discounts unless your audiences are EXTREMELY price sensitive or your membership is…
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Announcing: Membership Q&A
You’ve got questions – I (may) have answers! Now that the Membership 101 Series has concluded, it occurred to me that folks might have some more questions about membership I didn’t think to address. I…
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