I've written on this subject before and the following are tips from a breakout session I attended recently led by Shari Pash.
What is your messaging? What are you known for? What is your Brand?
Go HERE for a past blog post on that subject.
Go HERE for a past blog post on that subject.
Are you known for advocacy, knowledge, community leader? Are you a connector?
That’s where you want to be. Most people have come to the realization that you can’t just be a chamber that does events. She even mentioned the following:
- Are you a chamber who does events?; or
- Are you an event company who has members?
I suggest you want to be in the business of advocacy and helping your members solve-problems.
What are your doing after a new member joins? Don’t overwhelm them with everything in one email or mailing. Do the Amazon approach. Dribble marketing. Think a 30, 60 and 90 day marketing plan to engage your new members.
Learn how to tell the story of your advocacy work because that’s a great reason for members to join who don’t come to your events. That is something they will see as real value.
She spent some time on how to respond to the "I don’t have time to be a member" conversation we've all had over the years. She offered up the following responses:
- Tell them how you highlight members on your website - maybe a job announcement, highlight a good story of the member;
- List things that you’ve done on their behalf (things you’ve done for the entire membership);
- Perks while you work (talk about the things you’re doing for them while they are running their business - attending council meetings, research, etc.).
Start communicating your value!
