Best Benefit Ever: Building Benefits Through Membership

What’s the benefit? New York Women in Communications, Inc. (NYWICI) has a strategy that indirectly fuels many of its membership benefits. It’s currently promoting a discussion on reasons to join the organization  (opens in a new tab) that compliments an event focused on content marketing  (opens in a new tab). So how is that a benefit to members? We cover plenty of discounts and resources in Best Benefit Ever, but it’s important to remember that the promotional efforts that go into stimulating membership growth can be benefits in and of themselves. And when you’re an organization that heavily emphasizes professional networking, member acquisition is doubly important.

TONIGHT! @NYWICI  (opens in a new tab) doubleheader w/ #contentmarketing  (opens in a new tab) program 6-8pm and #nywicichat  (opens in a new tab) 8-9pm about membership benefits. See…

— New York Women in Communications (@NYWICI) September 16, 2014  (opens in a new tab)

Why it works for members: For an organization like NYWICI, many of the benefits offered depend on strong member engagement. What good is a members-only online directory  (opens in a new tab), for example, without a stream of new media professionals to connect with? How can its committees  (opens in a new tab), which focus on sharing expertise and networking, provide value when their seats are empty? By funneling curious potential members from an interesting event to a discussion about the association’s many benefits, NYWICI creates an opportunity to make all of its resources stronger with each signup. And that, in turn, helps professionals get the most out of their membership.

Other benefits offered: NYWICI has a host of additional member-fueled benefits, from one-on-one coaching sessions  (opens in a new tab), mentor opportunities  (opens in a new tab), scholarships  (opens in a new tab), and a career center  (opens in a new tab). Uninsured members also get access to healthcare through the Transparent Healthcare Medical Network  (opens in a new tab), a benefit of particular importance to young media professionals just getting their start in a competitive industry.

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