Resources for Community Success

Forj convened an exclusive Member Experience Think Tank at the ASAE Marketing, Membership & Communications Conference. During the roundtable session, leaders came together to explore:

• Current MX trends driven by evolving member expectations
• How MX influences their marketing, communications, and membership strategies
• The barriers they commonly encounter when it comes to evolving MX
• Innovative ideas that have helped them drive an MX mindset association-wide

Leverage innovation, create everyday value, and use advanced analytics to drive action.

In 2020, 15 percent of professionals said their organization had a dedicated community department, according to Community Leaders magazine. By 2021, that figure jumped to 22 percent, with 35 percent of respondents reporting that their organization had at least one full-time position dedicated to community operations.

Associations must employ a year-round approach across digital channels to sustainably serve sponsors, members, and themselves.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that “don’t put all your eggs into one basket” is not just a saying — but solid advice.

A better member experience starts with personalization—one area in which artificial intelligence shines.

Just a few years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) seemed cold and distant, reserved for Silicon Valley tech startups, if not sci-fi thrillers. But that’s no longer the case. AI is very much here and now, applicable across industries and in everyday circumstances.

Flex your imagination and design your community around the value of human connection.

Since medieval times, communities have banded together to enhance mutual strengths and slay their respective dragons. In the European Middle Ages, towns developed around trade routes and castles, and townspeople formed communes—or defense alliances—to protect their people, liberties, and commodities.

Use the web strategically, provide members with options, and never underestimate the importance of engaged leadership.

Once the crowned jewel of member engagement, the in-person event lost some of its luster over the past few years as lockdowns shuttered conference doors.

At their core, communities have always been about bringing together like-minded people for a common purpose. And because of that, it’s clear to see why professional associations are primed for building active, flourishing communities that members want to flock to.

NCTE partnered with Forj to reimagine their signature event as a dynamic, immersive virtual convention that delivered value to attendees and accomplished the organization’s goals of learning, collaborating, and connecting. The consensus from the community was clear—NCTE’s members were energized by the opportunity to share their collective voice and impact. 

Associations can drive sustainable success by connecting with members through hands, head, and heart.

When it comes to your online professional community, “if you build it, they will come” may not be the best mantra.