Your members should feel appreciated and part of your organization at more times than just enrollment. Don’t rely on flyers and websites to engage your members, they need the human touch. A phone call and a hand shake should be part of your goals and schedule at least once or twice a year, if not more often. The power of touch, eye contact and a smile will take you further than any regularly planned chamber event. Schedule time to make phone calls or drop in on a member just to say hello. Depending upon how you were raised and social experiences, your level of appreciation will ignite regained interest and engagement.
Immediately engage new members inviting them to attend committee meetings and functions to build their enthusiasm and reduce second thoughts that may cross their mind after they pay for their membership. Your membship associates and Chamber of Commerce staff should consider themselves as Marketing Managers motitivating members by helping members develop a good healthy prospective about the value of their individual businesses and marketing opportunties from within the membership.
Your members all want something different from their membership. Some want networking events while other may want to advertise.
The usual membership has the same types of members:
- The social butterfly that particpates in just about every event mostly for the chance to mingle and have fun.
- The achiever who wants every to know that they have succeeded, wanting public recognition and rewards from your membership.
- The member that does not know where to start to drum up business.
- The mover and shaker that will make a difference to your organization.
With so many types of members, how do you keep them all active and interested?
- Communicate, communicate, communicate using attractive newsletters, Constant Contact, online training and SMS Texting to reach those who are super mobile.
- Provide entrrepreneurial services such as Telemedicine for those that may be under or uninsured.
- Let them know you love them with incentives peppered throughout the year or along with contests each month.
- Member discounts to travel and items that will thrill the entire family.
- Have a monthly “Spot Light on Members” conference calls focusing on members sharing their successes for the month. This is a wonderful way to inspire others and promote connections on a real life level.
- Schedule technology training for those who want to use SEO Marketing but find it way too mysterious.
- Hold open houses at your organization or virtually noting changes in your operations, introducing new employees and their specialities.
- Keep the party going with day time and evening themed networking events providing a chance for everyone to participate.
- Host a progressive party with exciting incentives beginning at one business and ending at another nearby business.
- Hold a virtual conference providing a chance for a large conference experience without the expense of travel and an unwanted expense on your membership. This will be interesting and exciting as members create their very own avitar and network virtually.
- Create at least one night a year that is just for fun, no networking just a chance to invite a friend and let their hair down.
- Keep a camera on hand and sharing new photos frequently motivating others to attend future events.
- Utlize YouTube to sport light your members helping them to marke on the Internet.
- Collaborate with other non-competite organizations to promote a certain industry or service.
Members join for themselves and renew their membership because of you!