--- title: "3 Ways Texting Can Work for Your Members" id: "43767" type: "post" slug: "3-ways-texting-can-work-for-your-members" published_at: "2018-08-15T03:58:28+00:00" modified_at: "2018-08-15T03:58:28+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/08/15/3-ways-texting-can-work-for-your-members/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/08/15/3-ways-texting-can-work-for-your-members.md" excerpt: "At critical moments, your members might appreciate a text message notification over an email or phone call. Here’s how three associations are using texting for advocacy, customer service, and dues renewal." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "member communication" - "Member Engagement" - "Membership" - "Messaging" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » 3 Ways Texting Can Work for Your Members Think about the last time you sent or received a text message. Was it in the last hour? Half-hour? Fifteen minutes? It probably comes as no surprise that [many of us are addicted (opens in a new tab)](https://news.gallup.com/poll/179288/new-era-communication-americans.aspx) to texting. Believe it or not, texting [25 years (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cnet.com/news/omg-texting-is-25-years-old/) , but most nonprofits only scratch the surface when it comes to using this instant form of communication. The short message service, or SMS, has changed the human lexicon. Even outside of our texting apps, we write in acronyms (OMG! LOL! BRB!), and we add emotional cues to our messages with expressive emojis. (Fun fact: The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography recently developed its own set of emojis for members and the medical community. Its “[sonomojis (opens in a new tab)](http://www.sdms.org/resources/sonomoji) ” can be added to a smartphone keyboard through a plug-in app.) While texting may seem like fun and games, organizations are increasingly using it as a serious channel for communicating with their audiences. Here are three examples of how associations have used texting with positive results. **Instant advocacy.** Celia Besore, CAE, vice president of membership and programs at the Monitoring Association, is using text messaging to reach a small group of highly engaged members involved in TMA’s on-the-ground advocacy work. “We wanted to be sure to reach those members at a moment’s notice,” Besore says. “With email, there are spam filters and lag times when members don’t check their inbox. We wanted a way to connect and communicate immediately with members.” Step one was to identify a small group of committed members (about 190) who opted for the text message service. “We only wanted members who were on the ground doing advocacy for our organization,” Besore says. “There was one vote that was really critical for us. We sent members a 15-minute warning, texting them the room number and location so they could be present.” The strategy produced a favorable outcome on their issue, and TMA continues to use texting to stay in touch on advocacy messages and calls to action. **Dues reminder.** Automated renewals have two problems: Payment methods can expire, and credit cards can get lost or stolen. When that happens, members might miss a renewal payment. At the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, a past-due notice comes with a text message alert about how to update an online payment method. “Before this, we reached out to people by email or phone, explaining how payment information could be changed online,” says Nicole Hanson, an account executive with Big Voice Communications and a consultant for ADHA. “Now, it seems more people prefer the text notification. We’ve even received a few ‘thank you’ responses.” **On-demand help.** Organizations are increasingly turning to instant forms of communication like [chatbots](https://associationsnow.com/2018/06/tech-memo-chatbot-service/) to provide quick customer service. Texting can be another good option for answering members’ questions in real time. The [National Association of Sports Commissions uses an app](https://associationsnow.com/2017/09/membership-hack-quick-response-with-texting/) , [TextUs (opens in a new tab)](https://textus.com/) , to serve as a member helpline. The number is the same as NASC’s main telephone number. The advantage to this setup is that no opt-in is required because the member initiates the contact. When a text message is received, the phone number can be matched to the member database, allowing a staffer to see more background information about the person asking a question. A few words of caution: Like any communication tool, text messaging can be abused. Don’t spam your members via text. Before you hit “send” on a text campaign, be sure to study up on federal law (specifically, the [Telephone Consumer Protection Act (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fcc.gov/general/telemarketing-and-robocalls) ) and best practices for mobile marketing campaigns (CTIA’s “[Messaging Principles and Best Practices (opens in a new tab)](https://api.ctia.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/170119-ctia-messaging-principles-and-best-practices.pdf) ” [PDF] is a good primer). Also, there are many mass-text-messaging services to choose from, so do your due diligence. Compare pricing and pick a subscription service that works best for your needs. As you would when you first use any new technology, it’s probably best to pilot a text-message campaign with a small or targeted group to see how it works and how your recipients react to it. Are you texting your members? How do you use it, and what lessons have you learned? Post your comments below. (vladwel/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Tim Ebner](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/) Tim Ebner is communications director and press secretary at the American Forest & Paper Association in Washington, DC. He is a member of ASAE’s Communication Professionals Advisory Council and a former Associations Now senior editor. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/) Tags: [#member communication](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-communication/) [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#Messaging](https://associationsnow.com/tag/messaging/) **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 - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [TemplateMembers onlyDesignation News Release TemplateFebruary 19, 2009](https://associationsnow.com/2009/02/19/designation-news-release-template/) - [ArticleWhy Does My Association Have Low Engagement?March 11, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/11/why-does-my-association-have-low-engagement/) - [TemplateMembers onlyAAD – Report to MembersJuly 17, 2008](https://associationsnow.com/2008/07/17/aad-report-to-members/) ## 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%2F2018%2F08%2F15%2F3-ways-texting-can-work-for-your-members%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !