September 17, 2009 — Association members are now more optimistic about the economy, according to the results of a new survey conducted this summer by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, which also found that association members are planning to participate more often in online events and less often in face-to-face meetings.
PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2009 — According to a new survey of companies that manage associations and nonprofit organizations, more associations are turning to Association Management Companies (AMCs) for management expertise, finding added value in the flexibility of the AMC model. Demand for management services is up in 2009, and two thirds of AMCs forecast a greater number of clients in 2009 than 2008. AMC Institute, the trade association that represents the association management industry, today released results from a new survey of its members.
May 14, 2009, The Chronicle of Philanthropy — If your organization uses memberships as a way to raise money and connect with donors, you may be interested in a recent study at the University of Maryland showing a curious connection between the cost of membership and the rate that people sign up.
Results of a new economic impact study recently conducted by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership point to new challenges associations might have to face in the near future. The study, titled “ASAE & The Center Impact Study — Beliefs, Behaviors and Attitudes in Response to the Current Economy,” shows that although overall the association sector is doing well, there are some important points that association leaders should consider when planning their business strategies for this and next year.
Membership organizations looking for ways to entice constituents who have demonstrated an interest in their organization but haven't made the commitment to join are sure to find inspiration from Brooklyn Museum, which recently launched a socially networked museum membership called 1stfans.
A terrific resource for associations and membership organizations is ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership. Among a wealth of comprehensive management information, ASAE offers insights and ideas for development staff, as well — in the form of journals, newsletters, programs and printed reports. You can access the organization, and its library of “knowledge resources” at www.asaecenter.org. That’s where we found the feature, “Marketing Meltdowns,” a compilation of ideas from three marketing experts that “will mend your membership efforts, recondition your convention, and pep up your promotions.” And it comes with the caveat: “It helps to be a little outrageous.” From “How to Arrest
Your members — you know, those folks who belong to your association, your zoo, your art museum or your public radio station — want to support you. They really do. But if your organization is like many that rely on membership relationships for the bulk of their funding, you probably aren’t giving them the proper opportunities to do it. Dana Hines, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Membership Consultants, says she sees lots of organizations that simply are afraid to ask members — who already are giving by virtue of their membership fees — to give above and beyond those fees. Many don’t want
Good advice is timeless, right? Thank goodness. Now I don’t feel quite so bad digging up this post that appeared on Katya Andresen’s Non-profit Marketing Blog earlier this year: “I often get questions from membership organizations about how certain marketing principles apply to them — the benefit exchange, call to action, etc. So, for any membership-based nonprofits out there, here are some useful questions to ask yourself and three quick tips for staying on track. 1) Do your marketing materials (brochure, Web site, appeals, etc.) start by talking about what your organization does or what you do for the people who join? Make it
In our quest for practical, actionable content for Advisor readers, we come across a lot of really terrific resources. And we usually cull nuggets of information from them to present alongside our staff- and contributor-written stories. But sometimes we like to turn you on to some of these resources as a whole — especially those that seem like unexpected surprises — so you can check them out yourself and get their solid advice first hand. Such is the case with the Web site of Alexandria, Va.-based consultancy Marketing General Inc. (www.marketinggeneral.com). The site’s News & Tips section is a treasure trove of information for
Getting people to write checks to support your organization can be tough. But what of those folks who already are writing you a check every year? What of your members?
Membership-based organizations offer a variety of benefits to members, but the support can’t — or shouldn’t — stop there. Loyal-member lists often offer the best leads for potentially larger gifts, but the question is how to get members to see the “added benefit” of giving above and beyond their membership dues.
