Top 10 elements for member engagement success

Member engagement is the lifeline that transforms a list of names into a dynamic, thriving community. The sustainability and growth engaged members bring to a membership organisation highlight the necessity of a well-thought-out engagement strategy. 

Understanding its key components is essential to unlocking the secret of effective member engagement. Here are the ten pillars to help your organisation cultivate a more engaged and committed membership base. 

1. Communication: A strong sense of community will encourage a sense of belonging. Effective, two-way communication that is timely, relevant, and personalised, including newsletters, emails, social media posts, and direct interactions, helps keep your members engaged. As these connections deepen, so does their commitment, making them more likely to renew their membership. 
2. Value Creation: Continuously investing and delivering value through relevant content, exclusive benefits, and opportunities that align with your members' needs and expectations is crucial for sustained engagement. A basic principle is that the value you deliver should significantly surpass the cost of your membership.
3. Community Building: Growing a sense of community is important. Special interest groups, forums, and networking events allow members to connect, share, and support one another, reinforcing their connection to your membership organisation and encouraging a sense of ownership that strengthens retention.
4. Participation: Encouraging members to engage actively in activities, discussions, and initiatives helps them feel valued and part of your organisation's success.
5. Feedback: Questioning and acting on members' feedback demonstrates that you care about their opinions and encourages a culture of inclusivity.
6. Personalisation: Tailoring experiences and communications to individual members' preferences enhances engagement by making each member feel understood and valued. Delivering finely tuned personalisation will increase member engagement with your organisation and uncover new avenues for upselling. 
7. Education and Development: Providing professional or personal growth opportunities adds significant value to the membership, benefiting retention and member satisfaction.
8. Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledging members' contributions, loyalty and commitment to the sector or industry creates a positive emotional connection and nurtures a sense of pride and belonging.
9. Accessibility: The key to inclusive engagement is ensuring all members can easily access and benefit from your membership organisation's offerings.
10. Technology: Using technology, like sheepCRM's membership management software, can significantly enhance member engagement at scale by collecting data, personalising communications, automating processes and providing valuable insights.

In the end, engagement is the element that ensures the long-term success and prosperity of your organisation. By focusing on the key aspects of member engagement, your organisation can thrive, creating a stronger, connected and committed community.

Find out how sheepCRM helps BGCI engage with its members in the digital age.