MEMBERPLANET BLOG
  • Log in
  • Sign up
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Emailing
    • Event Planning
    • Fundraising
    • Leadership
    • Member Management
    • Mobile
    • New Features
    • Pro Tips
    • Reporting
    • Social Media

4 Clever Ways to Promote Your Next Big Event

2/29/2016

0 Comments

 
You don’t need a big budget or celebrity endorsements to hit your mark.

Your decorations might be exquisite, your venue might be in the ideal location, and your speaker a class act. Unfortunately, this won’t go too far without the impeccable marketing strategy to match. In today’s connection economy, it’s as important to organize a well-executed marketing campaign as it is to organize a stellar event. Below are some options you may want to consider for your next big event.
​
Picture
Pre-event emails
If you have access to an email list, email marketing is your most efficient and cost-effective channel to reach your target audience. If you don’t have a list, you might want to reach out to people within your network to see if they can circulate your email for you. Regardless, you’ll want to follow particular guidelines for creating your email marketing campaign. Be sure your subject line is attention grabbing, your email is being sent out at an optimum time, include testimonials from previous feedback or credentials for speakers, and most importantly, send, send, and send again. Track what is working and what isn’t which can all be done on the right email marketing system.   
Picture


​​Be social

If you want to reach an extended audience, you’ll need to go where they are and target them specifically. Pay-per-click advertising on Facebook and LinkedIn is an affordable way to hone in on your intended audience and only pay when they take action. In order to get these clicks, your content must be engaging. This is where quotes from your speaker interviews and videos can also be repurposed. The more people share, the more people will see it and want to know what they’re missing out on. 
Picture

​Go local

Contact your local TV stations, radio stations and newspapers to see if they are interested in promoting your event in exchange for promoting them on your flyers, social media, or other announcements. Perhaps even offer them free press passes to your event. Be sure to phrase your pitch to how it benefits them and you should find yourself with substantial free press. 
​Whatever avenue you choose to use, timing is key. You’ll want to give yourself at minimum two weeks to advertise. Use original artwork and be quick and to the point. Regardless of the size of your budget, your marketing efforts can only go in one direction. 

With so many moving parts, sometimes it’s difficult to manage your event as well as your marketing efforts. Luckily, services such as memberplanet have developed an all-in-one platform to keep you focused on your bottom line: having a successful event. 
​
Get started now with memberplanet and take the first step towards streamlining your events in a way that makes sense for you.



0 Comments

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Social Media for Donations

2/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Social media can be your greatest marketing tool for fundraising efforts, as long as it’s done correctly.

Social media is a giant but gentle force. It’s a tool that should be used in almost every marketing campaign in order to give people the opportunity to share and get the word out. However, if you use social media the wrong way, you might end up getting so much negative press that your social media presence is doing more harm than good. The fear can’t keep you off the networks, but the following Do’s and Don’ts are sure to help give you that extra boost in the right direction.
Picture
Picture

Don’t – just ask for donations

If you’re trying to sell your key sponsorship – social media is not the way to go. With mediums like Twitter, text-based giving only really works for disasters or specific urgent needs. Save your sales pitch for a one-on-one conversation and use social media to focus on raising awareness for the cause and asking for small help that can make a big difference.






Don’t – post the same content over and over


If you’re hounding people with the same message all day every day, people will start to resent you and your fundraising campaign. Social media is for engaging followers. Use images and ask questions that will foster feedback, don’t just include a link in your Facebook posts and say “Donate Now!”




Don’t – ignore comments or criticism.

Ignoring a negative comment or a donor who asked a question will make others think you are avoiding or hiding something. Counter criticism and take accountability if something has gone wrong. Sometimes, an unhappy donor or volunteer can be potentially transformed if you take the time to respond and show you care.



Do – give specific, real ways for people to give back

You’ll have much more success asking for specific items (volunteers for the 8am shift, a silent auction prize or ideas for incentives) than you will those big donations. Your social media followers do want to help, but they want to know exactly what they’re giving or funding with a donation of any kind. This example from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the perfect way to get your followers engaged in your campaign, with a small request of wearing lipstick and taking a photo, without taking too much time or money. This not only raises awareness, but it gets the community involved!

Do – include an image with every link

Including an image with every link will garner more likes, comments, and shares. These images should be visually appealing, not taken from your smartphone, and not a stock image. They don’t need to be as high quality as they need to be interesting. Take photos at every event you host, as well as in the field fundraising, and use these photos as a library for various content. The American Diabetes Association used a photo to congratulate partners that championed wellness with a photo from one of their events.

Do – engage with your followers

You’re on social media to be social. Answer questions, respond to comments, and even wish donors a happy birthday. Thank those who have contributed by name. Everyone loves to be acknowledged, and many donors will respond by sharing those types of posts and telling their friends.

While managing your campaign’s social media won’t guarantee you’ll meet your fundraising goals, it will give you credibility and foster communication with your target market. Learn to treat social media as an essential component of your campaign and take the time to do it well.



MemberPlanet understands how significant social media can be for fundraising campaigns and donations. That’s why our cloud-based platform provides you with the ability to share your events and campaigns through social media with just a click of a button. Learn more on how our streamlined solutions can simplify your fundraising efforts today!
0 Comments

5 Ways to Boost Your PTA Membership

2/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
The back-to-school season is here and that means packing lunches, shopping for school supplies, and, if you're following an academic-year contract, new member recruitment. While summer vacation and transition periods are often a great time (thank you, extra time off!), people tend to have extra busy schedules during this time and are wary of adding more to their plate.

As a leader of a local PTA unit, it’s very possible that you’ve seen a drop in member enrollment and engagement rates during this time of year.

So the question is how do you boost membership and grow your PTA during a period of transition, whether it be the new school year or end of a quarter?

We’ve talked to a bunch of group leaders who’ve successfully battled the member-boosting issue. How did they do it? By focusing on many of the same best practices they focus on during the rest of the year: showing people the value of being part of the group, and entice them in joining. That was made a whole lot easier by using memberplanet, and we’ve compiled their tips and best practices below.

Here are four ways to ensure your member numbers increase when the leaves start to change color. 
1. Make it easy to join your PTA

We go shopping online, look up cooking recipes, and even date online. It just makes sense to simplify membership by making it easily accessible online as well. If you aren’t doing this already, offer online dues payment methods with automatic or early membership renewal. Think of it this way: Making it convenient for members to sign up online is way better than sending them running to look for their checkbooks to mail in a payment. If not, you’re creating an unnecessary hurdle (and it’s an especially bigger one during a time of transition). Joining an organization should be as easy as a click of a button, and it means members don’t have to think twice about making a commitment to your organization. Providing them with mobile access is even better. (We have a custom mobile app for that!) 
2. Offer incentives

Do you have extra swag to give away? Host a membership drive and offer an additional reason to join your PTA. Whether it’s a branded gift, an extra raffle ticket for a gift card giveaway, or discounted rates for membership levels. We love free stuff, and your potential members are the same way. Your incentives can vary, but showing your prospects how much you want them in your group and appreciate their involvement is essential. 
3. Make a party out of your event
Picture
Picture
​Everyone loves a good gettogether — it's a great way to attract new members and show appreciation to current ones. Make it fun, ask current members to bring guests who haven’t signed up yet to. Going with a friend will make them feel more comfortable and welcome. Make sure everyone has a great time. Bottom line: Show them the love. Send out invites and allow attendees to RSVP online. Want to send out a quick reminder before the par-tay? Our built-in Broadcast feature allows admins to draft a message once and send it to their group via email and text message simultaneously. Extra pro tip: After the event, update your event page with photos and videos, and share it with attendees so they won’t have to hunt for pics.
Picture
4. Attract new members with a philanthropic cause
​

Giving back to the community is a great way to engage new members, because the entire year is ripe with occasions for giving back. It's also a great bonding experience to do so as a PTA. Giving makes people feel good, so facilitate the process. Hold an annual charity drive, or get all your members together for a charity experience. Doing little things like this will show that your unit cares about the bigger picture and are willing to put in the work to make the world a better place.
5. Communicate your group’s impact
​

Whatever good you end up doing, inform your members, as well as the school community through multiple channels (email, text, social media). Send thank you emails to those who contributed, and share your post-campaign results. For example, if you reached your fundraising goal for a back-to-school book drive, let your donors know (easy to do using Smart Lists), and send them pics of the newly stocked classroom library. Effective communication will drive home the message that your PTA is doing significant work, and in turn, boost your membership. 
​Learn how memberplanet makes it easy to do all these things mentioned.
Log In To Get Started
0 Comments

5 Clever Ways to Grow Your Membership

2/18/2016

0 Comments

 

Are your strategies helping you reach your membership goals?

When you first launch your membership program, adding members seems relatively easy because there’s nowhere to go but up. However, after the first six months or so, you might begin to see your membership plateau. Generally, the ability to grow membership is a function of the perceived value your group or association can deliver. By bringing membership greater value, you can position yourself to attract new members while also maintaining your existing membership base. We’ve highlighted a few strategies to increase your value and your network.

​
Picture

1. Engage on social media

In particular, you’ll want to embrace larger networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. These two social media channels allow you to create your own membership page and maintain constant communication with your members, especially since most are already using these mediums.
​
Post updates on upcoming meetings and events while also keeping members engaged by asking questions for facilitating these meet-ups. While maintaining communication with your current members, being present on these channels also helps potential members see the kind of work you’re doing, and if it is something they would be interested in.

​
Picture

2. Host events for potential members

​Host an event where each current member invites a non-member. Encourage these non-members to join during the event by offering a discount only during that time. Hosting events for both current and

potential members is a great way to get everyone involved in the recruiting process and allow non-members to ask questions and see what the group is all about before making the commitment.
Picture


3. Trade content for contact info

Many associations have started adopting a concept where they’ll offer a free article download or newsletter subscription in exchange for permission for further communications. These opt-ins are prime membership prospects, as you can maintain constant communication to show people what you do and get them interested in joining your team.

​
Picture

4. Offer seasonal memberships

Most associations include an application fee for new member. Throughout the subscription year, announce (in your newsletter, social media, etc.) that the application fee has been waived for a certain period of time. This will attract those who had been considering membership but either hadn’t wanted to make the commitment yet or were deterred because of the fees. With a waived application fee, they might see more value in joining. While waiving the application fee will be helpful, you’ll also want to make sure your annual membership fees are comparable to other associations’ as well.

​
Picture

5. Track and measure your marketing efforts

If it can’t be measured, it can’t be managed. There is no way to know if your marketing is bringing you new memberships if you’re not tracking the success rate. Carefully measuring results allows you to more properly allocate your marketing funds and get the best return for your money.
​
For associations such as nonprofits or PTAs, finding a way to manage your marketing and your membership base can seem rather difficult. But that’s why we created memberplanet, the first and only cloud-based functional network that aims to simplify new member communication while increasing current member engagement. The platform is a one-stop shop for email marketing, surveys, donation campaigns and more.

memberplanet provides optimum analytics for your email marketing and mobile access for members. Create a free account today and discover how memberplanet can help you grow your membership.



0 Comments

5 Tips for Nonprofit Fundraising on Social Media for the First Time

2/10/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
When it comes to fundraising in today’s society, nobody can deny the all-encompassing power of the internet. Organizations that have adopted and implemented online fundraising campaigns are reaping the rewards of the immense reach and communication capabilities that only social media can tout. 

If your non-profit has made the decision to begin using social media for fundraising, the prospect may seem a little daunting, although exciting at the same time. To help you, we’ve created this guide filled with tips on how to make the most of your efforts and harness all the opportunity that social media fundraising can provide. 
1. Establish a presence 

If you haven’t ever used social media for communicating with and engaging your members or audience, start right away. Create a Facebook page, a LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram account and start posting information and relevant content to establish your social media presence. 

Set up a schedule for posts; most organizations do them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, although there are some that post daily. Figure out what works best for your group and be consistent. 

If you already have these pages set up, you’re a step ahead! And this will enable you to easily transition to fundraising activities. 
​
2. Tell your story

The most successful social media fundraising campaigns are ones where people feel connected to the cause or the group. Make sure that your pages are being used creatively and that you are presenting who you are and what you do in the most vivid and engaging ways. 

Use photos as much as possible, use pictures of your people, events and any activities to capture your audience and get them interested in what you are fundraising for. If you have them, videos are also a powerful way to present your message. 

And if you can, show who you’re helping or the results of successful fundraising activities in the past. Let supporters know exactly where their donations will be used—this is key to encouraging people who may be on the fence. 
​
3. Give them something to talk about

We have all witnessed what happens when something goes viral. It’s amazing how quickly content can travel around the world via social media. For your purposes, having content that is intriguing, moving or impactful will increase the chances of your members sharing it with their connections. 

So keep this in mind when creating your content because even the most committed supporters won’t share your posts unless they are touched by it and feel compelled to spread the word. Remember, the more people who know about your cause, the more funds you will raise!
​
4. Be responsive

Getting folks interested in your campaign is only one-half of the effort, it’s equally as important to be responsive to your audience. When you post, encourage people to ask questions, leave comments and ideas and be sure you respond right away to their suggestions. Give a shout out to awesome volunteers or members who have given their support in extraordinary ways. 
​
5. Implement an online management tool 

To make your fundraising campaign effortless, use our online member management software. With it, you’ll have an arsenal of powerful tools to create, run, manage and track your campaign and even go mobile with your own custom app. 

Your memberplanet management account will enable you to share news with everyone in your group at the same time via text message or email. You can even create customized email invites branded with your organization’s logo and messaging. And you can direct them to your social media pages to get more news about the fundraising campaign. 

When they are ready to make a donation (whether a one-time pledge or recurring support), they can do it on your customized memberplanet site. You’ll also be able to keep track of who’s donated and share your fundraising campaign’s progress with everyone.

​Today’s smartest and most effective fundraising campaigns take place online. Once you’ve decided to begin using social media to engage, inspire and gain support from your members (and others), be sure to incorporate the tips we’ve given you here and get started with memberplanet to manage the entire campaign—there’s no better way to rally support for your cause!
0 Comments

A No Hassle Way for Religious Groups to Fundraise, Tithe and Communicate

2/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today’s congregations are always on the go - now you can connect with them wherever they are. 
​
​
Although your mission and message may not have changed, the way people communicate, participate and give has changed dramatically. And while years ago, passing around the tithe plate during services was perhaps the ideal way to collect donations for your church, many religious organizations around the world have realized the need for change. Just as technology has transformed so many aspects of our lives, it has impacted the way you can fundraise, tithe and communicate with your congregation. Here’s a guide on how you can implement technology into your efforts:
​
Picture
Speak to everyone at the same time 

There’s no doubt to the fact that computers, mobile devices and smartphones are now the key way people communicate as young and old have embraced the technology. Imagine sharing church information and announcements with all your members at the same time. With memberplanet, you’ll have the capability to send emails and text messages to everyone in your group in an instant. Sharing news, event reminders and all other church updates becomes easier, faster and more efficient than ever before. Whether it’s a special upcoming service, a family picnic, youth group activity or event, you can send invites, get people talking and generate awareness in one simple step. 
​
Create excitement for fundraising events

Even those with zero technological know-how can use memberplanet to create customized, interactive events sites. Your church can have its own event page, complete with your logo and branding, and all the information your members need to know. And because it’s interactive, they can log on from anywhere (their cellphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) and RSVP, volunteer, ask questions, buy tickets and get updates.
​
​Let them give from the heart (and home)

Tithing and fundraising become effortless when you set up online donations and tithing using memberplanet ​. Your members can log on and make a one-time donation or set up recurring tithes in minutes. You can even set up a “donate now” button on your church website that members simply click on to give. And they’ll be able to view fundraiser progress, see photos and videos from events and much more. 
​
Get mobile

Connect with your members wherever they are with your church’s own custom mobile app. With it, your congregation can see what’s happening wherever they are and whenever they want. All your events, communication and even the ability to make a donation or payments is accessible via the app. 
​
Use technology to increase involvement among younger members

Although technology has impacted people of all ages, it is most definitely more prevalent among the younger generations. If your congregation includes a number of young families and millennials, there’s no better way to get them involved than by implementing online communication, fundraising and tithing. These generations do most of their communication through social media and online—so if you want to reach them, the best way to connect with them is through technology.
​
Picture
Sign up for a free memberplanet ​account today and discover just how easy it can be to communicate, tithe and fundraise with you congregation.
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Emailing
    Event Planning
    Fundraising
    Leadership
    Member Management
    Mobile
    New Features
    Officer Transition
    Pro Tips
    PTA Simplified
    Reporting
    Social Media

Who we serve
Associations
Nonprofits
Fraternal Organizations
Schools
Educational Foundations
Booster Clubs
Military
Faith-based
Homeowners Association
Political Campaigns
PTAs
Fraternal Undergrads
Fraternity Alumni
Sorority Undergrads
Sorority Alumnae
Fraternal Orders
Music Schools
Features
Overview
Membership Management
Events
Fundraising
Communication
Online Payments
Websites
Mobile App
Invoices
Group Text Messaging







​Pricing
Subscription Plans & Pricing
Enterprise Pricing
Case Studies



Support
Support Center
888-298-8845
Email Us


Company
Blog
Download Our App
Picture
Picture
Legal
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

Picture
© 2021 memberplanet, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Log in
  • Sign up
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Emailing
    • Event Planning
    • Fundraising
    • Leadership
    • Member Management
    • Mobile
    • New Features
    • Pro Tips
    • Reporting
    • Social Media