Many organizations already know the value of recruiting small businesses as members, but servicing emerging businesses can come with a unique set of challenges.

JP Moery of the consulting firm The Moery Company presents a few dilemmas and solutions to small-business recruitment.

If an association is struggling to gain small-business members, it could simply be that it’s not providing enough benefits to a small company that is focused on growth.

“Please develop a specific group of benefits or programs for the emerging company,” says Moery. “For example, some of our association clients have developed ‘Business in a Box’ to help small enterprises get off the ground.”

Associations should also make sure their dues don’t outprice potential members. “My advice is to introduce a low entry-level membership fee. … If you help us grow, I won’t forget you have had something to do with that. I will be your very best testimonial.”

Check out Moery’s blog post for more advice.

Community Management Appreciation

https://twitter.com/downey/status/823550310828212224

Today is Community Manager Appreciation Day (#CMAD). Take a moment to appreciate all the people in your organization who work diligently and passionately to build connections with your members.

“Well-structured, productive, and healthy communities bring out the best in people,” says Jono Bacon, a leading community manager and founder of Jono Bacon Consulting. “They teach us how to be better at [what] we do, how to solve problems, and how to build rewarding and lasting friendships.”

In his piece for OpenSource.com, Bacon goes on to say that “companies are seeing a tremendous value when investing in communities; they get happier users and customers who stick around longer.”

Please take the time to send a thank-you to your community builders.

Other Links of Note

Good vibrations: Don’t neglect building an office culture, says Amanda Kaiser of Smooth the Path. Members can pick up on good (and bad) vibes.

Leadership evolution: CMSWire delves into the top qualities leaders should have in today’s digitally driven world.

Future of Facebook: Are paid ads coming to Facebook groups? Will the social giant launch a cable TV network? Social Media Examiner delivers 19 Facebook marketing predictions for 2017.

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