The success and value of your group relies on the success and value of your members Membership is an organization’s most valuable asset. Without loyal members, your group will cease to exist. That is why it is so important to allocate a significant portion of your budget, time, and focus to retaining existing supporters while also adding new ones. The following tips can help you boost the ranks of your organization and lead you down a path of success.
That’s why membership management software like memberplanet is so advantageous: we give you the tools you need to stay top-of-mind and provide value on a consistent basis, and in one place. We call it Life Simplified. But don’t simply take our word for it – see what our customers are saying about how memberplanet has helped them with membership, fundraising, and more!
And when you’re ready to get started, create a free account to take your group’s numbers even higher.
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Capterra ranked memberplanet as one of the “Top 7 Free and Open-Source Membership Management Software Products” available today. Capterra is a service that helps millions of people find the best business software to fit their needs. So we’re proud to announce that the software-comparison firm has awarded memberplanet a five-star rating and ranked us as number four in its listing of the “Top 7 Free and Open Source Membership Management Software Products.” memberplanet prides itself on supporting organizations and their members by meeting all of their needs in a single, user-friendly location. It’s one thing to strive for this goal and another to be recognized for it. Capterra highlighted the advantages of using memberplanet, including our donation campaign capabilities, integration with QuickPay, online surveys, and the range of support options available, “among quite a few other options.” It is a special honor for memberplanet to be recognized. We strive to provide powerful solutions for any and all kinds of groups, including nonprofits, religious organizations, schools, boosters, parent-teacher associations, and Greek and alumni organizations. memberplanet aims to promote awareness and participation for your specific cause and make communication and integration seamless. That’s why our web-based software is an affordable option for organizations of any size. To really understand how our membership management software can solve your organization’s problems, you have to try it for yourself! Create a free account today and take the first step towards simplifying and empowering your group.
In order for members to cooperate, they need to have the tools to communicate Social cohesion refers to the bonds that bring society together. In group settings, it’s the willingness of members to cooperate with one other and be motivated to stay involved. Prior to joining a group, members usually differ from each other in most aspects, including past experience, work ethic, attitude, and cultural background. To ensure social cohesion and, in turn, increase productivity for a group, it’s essential for members to find a common ground. The following are factors to consider when trying boost cohesion among your membership. 1. Group openness to new members is key Membership is constantly changing, as some individuals will leave the group and others will join. What shouldn’t change is your openness and atmosphere. When a new member first joins up, the group should be welcoming. It’s incredibly intimidating for someone to enter an organization in which everyone else knows one another. Discouraging cliques and actively meeting and learning about new members will increase morale across the entire group. Openness can be made easier with tools such as group text messaging; having the opportunity to send out an instant message to all of your members and share responses makes it easier to acclimate new individuals and quickly make them feel like part of the gang. 2. Volunteering as a shared experience Volunteering can play an integral role in creating new relationships and bringing people together whose paths may have never otherwise crossed, creating a sense of trust and understanding. The life experience, camaraderie, and knowledge gained through volunteering opportunities will encourage social cohesion through shared experiences. For non-profits, getting donors and volunteers engaged in the process and the knowledge that their contributions are making a difference can help make all parties feel included. Engagement can be accomplished through postings on a group donation page as well as by using social media. 3. Member Database
Are you looking for a member with specific marketing experience? Maybe you want to reach out to someone you met at the last meeting but can’t remember their number. In times like these, it’s great to have an internal portal or customized directory to be able to locate, learn about, and connect with your members. This kind of access allows all individuals to get immersed in learning about and reaching out to fellow members. It will increase the productivity and effectiveness of the group while providing even more opportunities to build new relationships. When you’re looking to boost social cohesion in your membership, look no further than memberplanet. Our work with all kinds of groups, ranging from nonprofits and Greek and Alumni associations to Homeowners Associations, has allowed us to fine tune our services to meet all of your needs – all in one spot. Find out what people are saying about how memberplanet has improved their productivity and cooperation. And learn how we can help you too! So you’re thinking about joining memberplanet? Awesome! We’d love to have you. Or, maybe you've just made an account and have to get started? Welcome! We promise it’s easy to use and you’ll get your group organized on it in no time! With so many great tools provided by the site it’s easy to think, “Where to start, and how?” As a recent user of memberplanet, I will be the first to say I was nervous since technology is not my forte. However, the site is created to be user-friendly and has helpful guides that provide you with step-by-step instructions. Check out how I got started on my sports team site below!
At first I wasn't ready to complete all of these steps since my soccer team was new. Don’t worry! All of these steps can be updated or completed at any time. The steps are easy to located on the side of the main screen under the ‘Getting Started’ guide. This easy guide will help turn you from a memberplanet newbie to a pro before you know it! It helped me create everything I need to manage and organize my soccer team to be the best team around! What are you waiting for?! Add your group now! group. members. activities. events. registrations. communication. life. simplified.
Send out a beautiful email Why buy a card when you send her an email FREE on memberplanet? Our preset templates make it easy to send her a personalized message letting her know you love her. The best part is that you can schedule the email to be sent on Mother's Day so you wont forget. Collect money with a Donation Site Pitching in for a group gift has never been easier with our Donation Sites. Simply create your fully customizable site and share with everyone to gather funds for something extra special, or to send the funds as a check so she choose. Get everyone together On Mother's Day we find ourselves trying to figure out where we will meet up, what we will do once we get there, and where we will eat. Though you'll still have to figure out those details on your own, you can create an Event Site to help keep it organized. Add images, your Mother's Day meetup details, location, and send out invitations to allow others to RSVP. Share the memories We all have galleries full of great memories with our mom. Instead of sharing each individual image, use our photo galleries to create your own shareable album. You can even allow others to add their images to the album, reliving each moment you've all shared together. mom. sister. aunt. grandma. best friend. neighbor. teacher. life.simplified.
There’s no doubt about it: most people like to belong. In the past, individuals were more likely to be a part of groups because of their physical proximity to the community. Church, recreational, sports, social, and even industry-related organizations attracted people who lived and/or worked nearby. But the advent of online communities has truly changed the way people connect and the groups to which they belong. Now, it’s possible for individuals to be a part of communities that exist and communicate virtually—without ever having a physical presence. And even groups with an actual location can still boast virtual members from anywhere. As the world continues this digital evolution, researchers are studying the factors that tie people to online communities. Understanding what makes people form a bond and remain committed is key to their success—because engaged members are more involved, more active, and ultimately determine the fate of the group. Here’s what researchers have determined: 3 things motivate people to be a part of an online communityKeeping in mind that everyone is different, studies have shown that there are three main factors that motivate people to join up online:
But while wanting, needing, or a feeling of “I ought-to” offer insight into why people may join one group or another, there’s more to understanding why members remain committed. Research that dates back to the 1950s elaborates on this topic. A study by Festinger, Schachter, and Back discovered that there are two different ways that loyalty to a group is formed, and these findings still apply to online forums today. Identity-based commitment occurs when people feel a connection to the group as a whole. In this case, members are attracted to the goals or mission of the organization, and identify with its purpose. They want to be a part of the community because they feel that they can help to further a cause. Examples of this type of commitment include being drawn to groups based on gender, geographical location, political party, hobbies, nationality, etc. Members feel a sense of belonging based on their identification with these factors. Even if they don’t have “friends” in the organization, they remain committed because it’s the identity that they are drawn to. Bond-based commitment is different in that members are drawn to the group because they feel a connection to individual members. This commitment depends on forming relationships with group members and feeling bonds with specific individuals. Friendships and camaraderie are the keys to bond-based attachments and if one member leaves the group, it’s not uncommon for others who are close to that person to terminate their membership as well. Which type of commitment makes online communities stronger?For online communities, both types of commitment can influence the success of the group. But if you think about it, identity-based commitments are more desirable than those based on personal bonds. Consider this: It’s easier for a group to establish its mission and goals and draw in those that feel strongly about a cause than it is to influence friendships and bonds within the group. Thus, it makes sense that online communities would want to attract members who will not only want to join the group, but also feel a deep ideological connection to what that group is all about. Even the smallest group can be successful with a strong commitment from its members. In a nutshell: Identity-based commitment is more effective in leading people to continue their membership, remain active, and ultimately strengthen the organization. What can online groups do to encourage identity-based attachment?The key to attracting members who will identify with your group’s mission and goals is to communicate your purpose effectively to the right people. Targeting your enewsletters, social media efforts, fundraising, and membership drives to well-suited audiences is crucial. It’s also important to make your group’s purpose clear in all of your communications and to share what the organization is up to, including highlighting activities, workshops, or networking and learning opportunities. Online communities are one of the main ways that people connect, engage, and make a difference in today’s world. To be successful at attracting the right members (and keeping them active and involved), understanding why and how people form bonds is critical. memberplanet helps groups engage, fundraise, run membership drives, collect dues, communicate, share and do so much more—all in one place. Click below to get a head start on reaping the benefits of our innovative platform.
1. Direct and Consistent CommunicationAs of November 2015, there were more than one billion people using Facebook on a daily basis. Imagine how much impact your fundraising campaign could have! And that’s just one platform. Millions of people are also engaging on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other sites. A big benefit of using social media for your fundraising efforts (aside from the fact that these platforms and many relevant tools are free to use) is the sheer number of people you can reach all at one time. And if you plan out your campaign to include consistent posts on a regular basis, you’ll be sure to get the attention and support of your audience. 2. Capture their Hearts A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Imagine how much support you’ll gain when you share your fundraising story in bold, living color using photographs and videos. Just look at the overwhelming success Humans of New York has seen. When using social media to fundraise, you have the opportunity to illicit emotion from your viewers by showing them who’s being helped by their support or what their donation will actually be helping to accomplish. It also allows you to provide valuable information in your content about your cause. And the best part? You can post messaging on all your social media channels simultaneously (tools like Buffer make it especially easy), so no matter which site your followers are active on, they’ll be sure to see what’s happening with your campaign. 3. Keep it Real-time There’s no time like the present and when you use social media to fundraise, you’ll have the ability to post real-time updates, requests for volunteers, progress reports and more. When your supporters can see that you’re only a few thousand dollars away from reaching your goal, for example, anyone who hasn’t given yet will be inspired to be a part of the reason you hit your fundraising mark. 4. Show your Appreciation Because of its ability to make a massive impact on so many people at one time, social media affords you the opportunity to thank your supporters and volunteers all at once. And because everyone can see your messages, they’ll be proud when they’re recognized for their efforts. Staying engaged throughout the campaign is also easy to do with daily updates and posts, pictures showing different events and activities and anything else noteworthy that’s happening during your campaign. When you combine your social media campaign with our online member management tools, you’ll be able to direct your supporters to your customized memberplanet fundraising site where they can make secure, one-time or recurring donations. You’ll also have all the tools you need to send out email and text blasts to your group, allow them to register and RSVP for events, easily create great-looking newsletters and gather and keep track of all your members information and much more. We provide everything necessary to help you meet and beat your fundraising goal. Find out more about all the benefits memberplanet offers. Sign up for a free account today!
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The Interactive DirectoryLike a paper directory, admins and members are listed alphabetically according to the first letter of their last names, making it easy for members to find and contact one another. Similar to admins, members can log on from their member portals to access it by clicking Directory in their left-side main menus. Narrow a search by clicking on a letter from the alphabet above. |
Custom Interactive Directory Access
As an admin, you can make the directory available to all members, no members, or only specific member levels or member types. This is a great way to add value to a paid membership!
Click here to learn how to manage directory access
Click here to learn how to manage directory access
Members can view each other's profile pages
Members can view the profile page of any other member, including any background info that the member has chosen to share. But of course, members can selectively show or hide any field in privacy settings!
Click here to learn how to view a member profile
Click here to learn how to manage profile privacy
Click here to learn how to add/delete information on your member profile
Click here to learn how to view a member profile
Click here to learn how to manage profile privacy
Click here to learn how to add/delete information on your member profile
Members can contact each other
Admins and members can send emails to one another through the directory. Emails will be delivered to the member's personal email address, but it will not expose personal email addresses to either sender or receiver.
Click here to learn how to send an email using the directory
Click here to learn how to block or un-block a member
Click here to learn how to send an email using the directory
Click here to learn how to block or un-block a member
Members can view shared upcoming events
When viewing another member's profile page, if the member you are viewing has also RSVP'd "yes" to an upcoming event that you have also RSVP'd "yes" to, then that event will be listed on the lower left hand side of his/her directory page when viewed through your account.
Social media content is automatically pre-populated
When you log on, you'll notice that many members already have profile pictures and links to social media accounts. This data has been sourced from publicly available social media accounts associated with member email addresses. Like everything else on memberplanet, members can customize which social data is shown or utilized on memberplanet.
Click here to learn how to add or remove social media links from your member profile
Click here to learn how to add or remove social media links from your member profile
Members can connect on social media
As per above, social media account links are automatically added to members directory profile pages, enabling members to search each other via the memberplanet Interactive Directory and connect on other platforms. Additional accounts can be added on your member profile page under "Basic Info", and existing links can also be removed on your member profile page.
Click here to learn how to add or remove social media links from your member profile
Click here to learn how to add or remove social media links from your member profile
Member Badges
Admins can add custom labels to specific members profile images to denote specific roles that can be viewed by other members. These "badges" will appear as labels overlaying the member's image in the directory view.
Click here to learn how to add a badge
Click here to learn how to add a badge
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.
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. |
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. |
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4. Offer seasonal membershipsMost 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. |
5. Track and measure your marketing effortsIf 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.