You’ve heard
me and many others say before, that engaging your members in your program of
work, is the easiest way to improve your member retention.
So what are you doing, for not only your first year members, but also your base members too?
So what are you doing, for not only your first year members, but also your base members too?
Here’s three
quick things you could implement very easily, not only to welcome new members, but will also help on the back end when it comes to retention.
In fact, I know you’re already doing the first one.
In fact, I know you’re already doing the first one.
New Member
Kit - we’ve all got the thank you letter, web sticker and some form of the
Chamber member plaque/sticker, but what else are you including in your new
member kit? Do you include a schedule of
your upcoming programs or a copy of your mission statement? The goal of your new member kit should be to
make your new members feel welcome and to get a sense of what the Chamber will
do on their behalf and the business community at large.
Special
Invitation - pick an upcoming program or event for them to attend and make sure
you have a buddy system where they are met at the registration table and that
buddy will stay with them throughout their first event they attend. Nobody wants to attend an event and feel
isolated. Formalize this in a way that
works best for your Chamber.
Personal
Phone Call - this is so easy to do and it gives the personal touch that any new
member will appreciate. The goal is to
check-in and see how they are doing, ask if there is anything you can do for
them and then end the call with a simple “Thank You” for being a member. And by the way, the CEO needs to make this
call.
If you do
these three things to engage your new members it will be a good starting point
to improve their engagement with the Chamber and it will help with your first
year retention rates.
