Member Stories
Membership

Monday Buzz: Tell Your Members’ Stories

Sharing your members' experiences can be more effective than telling your own. Plus: Five Ted Talks to motivate your week.

When trying to bring in new members, it’s easy to deliver the same cookie-cutter narrative: You start with the history of your organization, explain where it is now, and share the benefits members receive when they join.

That’s not a bad way to bring in new blood, but associations may be overlooking a much more compelling topic: the journeys of current members.

While an association’s history can be interesting, individual members stories can help prospects connect with others on a more personal level, according to chamber and membership expert Christina Green on Frank J. Kenny’s blog.

According to Green, not only will sharing those narratives help bring more people in but hearing accounts from within your community can also strengthen the connection you have with current members.

“This makes them feel good and improves your shares because people love to share a story about them,” she writes.

While everyone’s tale is unique, Green spotlights a few popular themes, such as “the failure,” to help organizations get started.

“We all know a business person who failed and then rose from the ashes,” Green explains. “Chances are your chamber has helped someone like that.”

Through these narratives, your organization can show its dedication to having powerful relationships with its members.

Tweet of the Day

With winter weather on its way and a new year in our sights, it’s reasonable to be feeling a little overwhelmed this Monday. But you can still set yourself up for an inspiring week with these five TED Talks that are perfect for association professionals.

Other Good Reads

Truckers are driving the spread of holiday cheer, and the American Trucking Associations is doing its part by participating in the 10th annual Wreaths Across America event.

Useful tech is a tradeshow essential, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult to deploy. Read some new ideas from Event Manager Blog on how to effectively plan a modern event.

The power of networking is just as great for nursing as it is for other fields. In his latest story, Nurse.com advice columnist Keith Carlson explores how membership groups can help members reach new heights in their careers.

(Devonyu/Thinkstock)

Eli Zimmerman

By Eli Zimmerman

Eli is studying Journalism at the University of Maryland. When not studying, he likes to relax with a nice book or a couple rounds at the local boxing gym. MORE

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