--- title: "Daily Buzz: The Value of Member Interviews" id: "46755" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-the-value-of-member-interviews" published_at: "2019-05-30T21:04:33+00:00" modified_at: "2019-05-30T21:04:33+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/05/30/daily-buzz-the-value-of-member-interviews/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/05/30/daily-buzz-the-value-of-member-interviews.md" excerpt: "There are many ways to elicit member feedback. Here’s why one-on-one member interviews can be so powerful. Also: how to turn off your work brain when you’re not on the job." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "constituents" - "feedback" - "interview" - "Membership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: The Value of Member Interviews Sending a quick online survey has become the norm for gathering member feedback. But talking to members one-on-one can stir up a wealth of valuable insights, [says Amanda Myers on the Personify blog (opens in a new tab)](https://personifycorp.com/blog/whats-the-story-4-tips-for-eliciting-member-feedback) . “While big-scale efforts like surveys have their place, interviews can be a quick and easy way to complement macro-level data with depth and qualitative insight,” she says. “An approach that includes both allows you to develop an accurate, thorough sense of your constituents and leaves your organization with a higher feeling of confidence with the information you collect.” For an effective member interview, start by identifying your goal for the conversation. What are you hoping to learn? Let that objective be your guide as you prepare questions. Once you sit down with a member (or get him or her on the phone), it’s likely to be awkward at first—and that’s normal. People will share more honestly if they feel relaxed and comfortable, so Myers suggests easing in with simple questions and practicing behaviors that will help them feel heard, such as making eye contact and taking notes. Another way to put members at ease: Explain the purpose of the conversation and how the information you gather will be used. ### Take a Mental Break > So many good tips in this post on how not to think about work—whether you’re an employee or freelancer [https://t.co/gtaNAJ0NbP (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/gtaNAJ0NbP) > [pic.twitter.com/EPccN2CCJv (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/EPccN2CCJv) > > — Melanie Padgett Powers (@MelEdits) [May 30, 2019 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/MelEdits/status/1134101665659916289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Looking to improve your work-life balance?**“Work is a huge part of your life, and unfortunately there isn’t a switch you can flip in your brain to signal that it’s time to decompress,” [writes Kat Boogaard on the Trello blog (opens in a new tab)](https://blog.trello.com/stop-thinking-about-work) . To turn work off, try channeling your attention elsewhere, such as into a challenging yoga class, or limiting your screen time so you can fully disconnect. And keep your post-work venting to a minimum. “For many of us, the first few minutes—or maybe even hour—away from work probably look the same. We ramble about our frustrations and air our grievances about every annoying or discouraging thing that happened that day,” Boogaard says. “But here’s the thing you probably aren’t realizing: Even complaining about work requires you to be actively thinking about it.” ### Other Links of Note **What if Instagram eliminates its “like” feature,** or Facebook does away with its news feed? The Buffer blog explores [what could happen in the new age of social media (opens in a new tab)](https://buffer.com/resources/instagram-got-rid-of-likes) . **Outdated conference technology** might be holding your meetings back. *Smart Meetings* outlines [eight technologies it’s time to say goodbye to (opens in a new tab)](https://www.smartmeetings.com/technology/117328/outdated-technologies-impacting-your-business) . **Negative first impressions** are hard to come back from. [Fast Company explains how to recover (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fastcompany.com/90356572/how-to-recover-from-a-negative-first-impression?partner=rss&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss) . (YakobchukOlena/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Jeff Hsin](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) Tags: [#constituents](https://associationsnow.com/tag/constituents/) [#feedback](https://associationsnow.com/tag/feedback/) [#interview](https://associationsnow.com/tag/interview/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) **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 - [VideoCommunity Voices: Kristine MetterSeptember 15, 2021](https://associationsnow.com/2021/09/15/community-voices-kristine-metter/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [ArticleFive Breakthroughs in Membership MarketingAugust 9, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/08/09/five-breakthroughs-in-membership-marketing/) - [VideoCommunity Voices: Nat BartholomewSeptember 15, 2021](https://associationsnow.com/2021/09/15/community-voices-nat-bartholomew/) ## 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%2F2019%2F05%2F30%2Fdaily-buzz-the-value-of-member-interviews%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !