Using Social Media to Attract and Retain Members

Takeaways from the Membership Networking Group on June 15:

Social Media is a must to keep your members informed. You want to be where your members are!

1. What should you put on each form of media? Here are a few suggestions:

• Facebook: Social, Events -- link back to your website. Keep accessible to all (not just members) so others not in your association get information on your upcoming events -- use to create buzz about your association/membership.

• LinkedIn: Connect with members only. If non member wants to join, send prospect information. Professional, create chat conversations on association topics, current news events (need to monitor member connections with dues renewals).


• Twitter: Learn from others, promote your association and events, recruit new members. Schedule tweets by using hootsuite.com

• Blog: Represent your organization's events, post comments on current events, recap meetings, etc... ; control your PR and manage posts.

2. Which social media is better to use? You should be on all of them. Utilize social media monitoring tools to help you monitor success, listen, learn and engage your members -- like Hootsuite, TweetDeck, or Tweetizen. Set a specific time each day to monitor/respond to comments.

3. Social Media Policy: Every organization that has numerous people posting items on their social media sights should have a social media policy that all employees sign off on. If you don't currently have a policy check out socialmediagovernance.com

4. Put your social media links on all marketing materials.

5. Don't represent your company on your personal sites -- keep business discussions on the organizational site.

6. QRcode -- Use on marketing materials so members can scan and visit your website/event page. Tag under your QRcode "Visit us at (your web address) or Scan" so all can access the information.

Freedom

We celebrate our freedoms this upcoming 4th of July weekend. "It is not our affluence, or our plumbing, or our clogged freeways that grip the imagination of others. Rather, it is the values upon which our system is built. These values imply our adherence not only to liberty and individual freedom, but also to international peace, law and order, and constructive social purpose. When we depart from these values, we do so at our peril."
J. William Fulbright

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days

Does anyone else remember when summer time was considered a slow time for associations - an opportunity to regroup, plan, vacation, relax a bit? Seems like a LONG time ago. Summer at MSAE now means the EXPO - golf, dues, annual audit, 5500, year end. (To name a few). Staying busy constantly at work reminds me how important it is to like what you are doing, to have a passion about it. Franklin Roosevelt said, " Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." And others have said, "If you make your job important it is quite likely to return the favor." Enjoy every day - make the most of it!

MIscellaneous

Quiet here today. I'm thinking that just about every one of the MSAE's members are frantically trying to clear off their desks so that they can relax and enjoy the four-day thanksgiving holiday. I'm doing the same. Sending out wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving to all.

Leadership

Just read this in 180 Ways to Walk the Leadership Talk by John Baldoni: "GET LOST! Occasionally make yourself unavailable and inaccessible. Let people know that when you're gone, you expect them to assume responsibility and make decisions. This technique is great for fostering leadership." And so, I am out of here, traveling for a family get-a-way at Lutsen. Back next week.

Renewal?!?

I know we billed the fall conference as a time for refocus, renewal, refreshing. Then what I want to know is, why am I so darn exhausted today back in the office? It's because it was a high-energy weekend filled with high-energy people, all wanting to discuss and explore new ideas and resources. It won't be today - maybe tomorrow though... I will try to begin the process of incorporating what I heard and experienced into MSAE's journey of moving from good to great! How lucky are we to work in an industry that gives us these great opportunities?

From Nisswa - Renewal

A jam-packed day of education and networking. The mesasge? There were many. Here's one. Be present.

Fron Nisswa - Renewal

Monday morning. Despite the rain, it was a fabulous day in Northern Minnesota. Golfers (those who 'stayed the course', were chilled and wet - but also recognized the fact that this might have been their last time out this season. We all love fall, but we do what is coming next. Two of us biked in the rain. The surroundings, the paths, the views - perfect. And MSAE? Well, with the help of ventriloquist, James Wedgewood , several members performed a unique - their very own Northern MN RAP. It was a sight to behold. A day packed with educational opportunity to come.

Fron Nisswa -Rainy Days and Sundays

Sunday @ Grandview. Yup it's rainy and it's Sunday. That won't stop the die hard MSAE golfers. They are already over at the course. We will just have to see how the rest of the day plays out. Beautiful up here though. Fall flowers and pumpkins - brilliant colors galore. No matter a little inclement weather - we are resilient. The bike ride? Will let you know. I'm ready!

Getting Away

The office is bustling today in preparation for the fall conference. It's a lot of work. But I do look forward to it. I have seen friendships made, resources found, answers discovered, and stories unfold at past conferences. These fall conferences are a part of the tapestry of MSAE. It's a time for renewal. And it is really the best opportunity to meet colleagues in a different way. Sometimes it is just good to get away from the day to day.

The good and the bad

My tendency is to think about and dwell on those horrible drivers, those people who don’t show up for a committee meeting, the customer service people who don’t have a clue, the software program that just quits, the smart comment from someone in a group, the person who said no. It’s easy to do. The negative aspects are just plain so easy to identify and to blame.

Today, I made an agreement with myself to try and change this bad habit. Instead of the bad I am going to try hard – to focus on the good. The good…there is just so much. Just looking around me I see, a great work environment, fabulous co-workers, excellent computers and systems, the time to write and experiment with this blog, and always, always, something different to stretch my mind and capture my interest. Let’s see how long I can capture the good and ignore the bad. Maybe it will become a good habit?

Balance

Friday. It's a wrap. (The week that is.) Actually, Friday might be the end of the official work week, but it is certainly not the end of the week. I find I work just as hard over the weekend. It's that constant struggle to find balance between work and home. I do however make it a point to use some time to do nothing. Nothing is a good thing. I find it nourishes my body, mind and soul. Here's to a weekend of nothing!