--- title: "Online Communication: Find Better Ways To Respond To Members" id: "22724" type: "post" slug: "online-communication-find-better-ways-to-respond-to-members" published_at: "2014-04-18T15:25:47+00:00" modified_at: "2014-04-18T15:25:47+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/18/online-communication-find-better-ways-to-respond-to-members/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/18/online-communication-find-better-ways-to-respond-to-members.md" excerpt: "It's not them, it's you. Curb online communication flubs before you lose another member. Also: An executive explains what adjustments associations can make to satisfy their members from different generations." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "community engagement" - "Membership" - "online communication" - "Social Media" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Online Communication: Find Better Ways To Respond To Members Even with a comprehensive online community management strategy, your nonprofit organization can still isolate and disappoint its members. Socious Senior Director of Marketing and Strategy [Joshua Paul explains (opens in a new tab)](http://info.socious.com/bid/70853/5-Things-NOT-to-Do-When-You-Respond-to-Members-in-Your-Online-Community) that many associations make members feel unwanted and ignored by way of shameless self-promotion and self-righteous scolding in their online communities. Paul says associations must dump unapproachable attitudes and replace them with a more transparent, supportive vibe. “When someone is new to your community, it might take them a few days of poking around and reading through different discussion boards to fully get their bearings,” he writes. “Be patient and remember that part of community management is relinquishing some control.” ### Stay 10 Steps Ahead > There are 10 crucial steps forward-thinking [#associations (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associations?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > are taking: Are you? [http://t.co/aggUayX28L (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/aggUayX28L) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#MultiBriefsOC (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MultiBriefsOC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — MultiBriefs (@MultiBriefs) [April 17, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/MultiBriefs/status/456810077937102849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **“Associations have the opportunity to thrive** in a changing environment—if they are willing to change.” So says Maria Huntley, the director of education and training at IntrinXec Management. As millennials continue to stake their claim to the job market, many nonprofits are scrambling to adapt and grow with them. Luckily, Huntley has a 10-step game plan to bridge the generation gap, complete with tips on what she says are important traits for “forward-thinking associations.” [Check out her list over on the Multiview blog (opens in a new tab)](http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/10-steps-forward-thinking-associations-are-taking) . ### Other Good Reads **For detached office leaders,** *Inc.* contributor [Lee Colan offers (opens in a new tab)](http://www.inc.com/lee-colan/3-actions-that-build-trust.html) three “trust-building actions” to help them recognize and appreciate the value of their employees as well as their interests and input. **While you’re running around during your conference,** you probably won’t have time to tweet and post to Facebook. Eventbrite Community Manager [Sara Altier recommends (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.eventbrite.com/how-to-manage-onsite-social-media-during-your-conference/) that event planners recruit a social media expert to monitor hashtags, share photos, and schedule content in advance. **[Silverbear’s Victoria Chapman says (opens in a new tab)](http://www.silverbear.com/Insight/Blog/HowtoGenerateNewMembershipLeadsUsingTraditi.aspx)** taking a second look at traditional recruitment tactics such as telemarketing and direct mail can help associations rake in new members. **“Once we see them, we have the power to change them”:** [Dr. Debra Beck of the Laramie Board Learning Project uncovers (opens in a new tab)](http://www.boardlearning.org/2014/04/soul-sucking-nonprofit-boards.html) telltale signs that a board is sucking the life out of your organization. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Alexis Williams](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-williams/) Alexis Williams & Alexis Davis are contributors to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/alexis-williams/) Tags: [#community engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/community-engagement/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#online communication](https://associationsnow.com/tag/online-communication/) [#Social Media](https://associationsnow.com/tag/social-media/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [TemplateMembers onlyOnline Community ManagerJuly 10, 2015](https://associationsnow.com/2015/07/10/online-community-manager/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F04%2F18%2Fonline-communication-find-better-ways-to-respond-to-members%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !