Daily Buzz: What Should You Make of Facebook’s Paid Groups?

Is Facebook the future of membership-focused subscriptions?

The issue has been a topic of discussion since June, when the platform announced a test allowing group admins to charge a subscription fee to their members. What happens next with this trial remains to be seen, but it could have major implications for how some organizations use the social network.

In their latest podcast, The Membership Guys lay out the pros and cons  (opens in a new tab). Strongly on the con side, they say: Putting a paid membership option on Facebook means building a community on a site your organization doesn’t control. And with the social network’s features and algorithm always changing, it could mean inconsistency in who gets attention on the platform. The result could alienate members or alter their perception of the group.

On the other hand, Facebook could offer more convenience through group-specific live videos, easy access to current and relevant content, and an enhanced group structure that makes it simple to engage with other members.

But while the trial plays out, one thing is for sure: It would be wise not to lean too heavily on Facebook until all the pros and cons become clear.

Direct Mail Data Hygiene

“When your mailing address data is accurate and properly formatted, your books move through the postal system swiftly and at the least cost to you.” @thelanepress  (opens in a new tab) has 7 common mailing problems, why they matter, and how to fix them: https://t.co/t9ud1qAFQz  (opens in a new tab) #assnchat  (opens in a new tab) #highered  (opens in a new tab) pic.twitter.com/lraBU4byYa  (opens in a new tab)

— Megan Stolz Rogers (@megan_stolz) August 8, 2018  (opens in a new tab)

Often, when we talk about message deliverability, we’re talking about email. But there’s another kind of deliverability to worry about: print deliverability.

That’s a subject of a recent post on the Lane Press website. Author Jason Kiefer highlights the errors that can prevent your direct mail campaign from hitting its destination, including incomplete zip codes, poor name formatting, and incorrect abbreviations.

Read Kiefer’s post  (opens in a new tab) for more tips on data hygiene for direct mail.

Other Links of Note

404 pages can be an opportunity—really. CMS Wire explains how a Page Not Found error can actually engage people  (opens in a new tab) that landed in the wrong spot by accident.

What’s the next big thing in fundraising? Crowdfunding is still on top, but check out these tactics to keep the strategy fresh, from the GuideStar Blog  (opens in a new tab).

Great tradeshows have a few things in common. Gallus Events shares the five exhibition fundamentals  (opens in a new tab) that drive tradeshow success.

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