Is your association currently experiencing difficulties in staffing, revenue growth, or driving non-dues and event revenue? Perhaps you’re working hard to meet the evolving needs of your members? If so, you’re not alone.
According to the latest Association Trends Research, association professionals report slightly less positive numbers for staffing and member acquisition over the previous 12 months. Association professionals also have a mixed outlook on revenue growth, with fewer reporting increases in non-dues and event revenue. Amidst these challenges, associations are struggling to meet evolving member expectations.
Read our blog for helpful strategies to bridge the gap between your association and evolving member expectations.
How NetForum helps to bridge the gap with evolving member expectations
According to the latest research, associations are facing challenges in meeting strategic goals. There is a decline in member acquisition and overall lower optimism for the next 12 months. Associations are working harder with limited resources to engage new members.
Additionally, while revenue has remained steady over the last 12 months, the forecast for growth is less than positive. Fewer associations report increases in non-dues and event revenue, crucial for organizational growth.
Choosing the right association management software (AMS) and technology solutions can go a long way in empowering your organization to meet your evolving member needs. Here are some tips to get started meeting your member’s expectations with the right technology:
1. Provide job opportunities and career advancement resources
Association Trends research found that 46% of members value job opportunities and 44% value career advancement resources, while only 14% and 28% of association professionals prioritize these important benefits. Close the gap and meet your member expectations to drive engagement and ongoing value at your organization.
Consider integrating NetForum AMS with YM Careers to empower your members to find job opportunities and advance their careers within your association’s platform. You can connect your members with relevant career resources and opportunities increase engagement at your association.
TIP: Want to learn more strategies to increase engagement at your association by investing in career advancement resources? Check out our infographic! Download now.
2. Offer mentoring and knowledge sharing
Research found that 54% of members prioritize an association that offers industry-specific information, 52% want information about the latest news, regulations, trends and other issues affecting your profession or industry, and 44% value mentoring and professional advice.
Is your organization investing in knowledge sharing and mentoring opportunities? With NetForum AMS, it’s easy for associations to prioritize these member benefits. Here’s how:
Committee Functionality
With NetForum, your association staff can leverage the Committee Functionality to use centralized document storage so your committees can share their expertise and guidance with their members.
Member Directory
With the Member Directory feature, you can connect your members with other professionals in their industry, ensuring the process of members finding and connecting with a mentor is streamlined and simplified.
3. Invest in certification and credentials
Your members are looking for ways to advance their professional development and careers. According to the latest research, 51% of members value certifications or credentials, while only 31% of association professionals prioritize this member benefit.
Here’s how to leverage NetForum to close the gap between what your association offers and what your members want:
Credentialing
NetForum supports associations in offering certification programs, a key benefit for members seeking to advance their careers and validate expertise. When you invest in your certification programs with NetForum, you’ll attract new members and retain existing ones.
TIP: Want to learn more tips to invest in your certification program? Read our free guide today! Download now.
4. Provide ongoing education and training options
Is your association offering training options and continuing education? Research found that 50% of members prioritize training opportunities, but only 37% of association professionals were investing in programs.
Here’s how NetForum makes it simple to invest in continuing education:
Education Module
With NetForum, you can offer flexible training options, both in-person and online, to support member learning and skill development throughout the entire membership journey. Your staff can customize your learning pathways, providing valuable resources to your members.
5. Reconsider your meetings and events
When it comes to the importance of meetings and events, members and association professionals are heavily divided. Just 33% of members prioritize events, while 64% of association professionals value meetings and conferences.
It might be time to reconsider how your organization views events, seeing them as a “channel” rather than as a benefit. You can deliver even more value to your member events by offering more tangible benefits. For example, consider adding career fairs and live resume reviews to your next annual conference.
NetForum can help too! Here’s how:
Event Functionality
With NetForum, your association staff can manage large-scale conferences, small meetings, and virtual events seamlessly, easily adding additional value to your member events. Streamline your event processes with NetForum to boost member engagement networking, and professional development today.
TIP: Want to learn even more strategies to transform your association’s approach to meetings, conferences, and events? Read our Event Trends Study today. Download now.
Learn more about how to bridge the gap between your association and evolving member expectations
Associations face challenges in revenue and member acquisition, but when they leverage the strategies in this blog and choose the right technology, they can continue to meet their evolving member needs. Choose NetForum AMS to enhance member satisfaction and drive growth at your association today!
Ready to learn even more strategies to address member expectations and organizational challenges? Read the entire 2024 Association Trends Study today. Download now
