--- title: "Top Tips and Tricks From 2019 Membership Hacks" id: "48826" type: "post" slug: "top-tips-and-tricks-from-2019-membership-hacks" published_at: "2019-12-18T01:24:27+00:00" modified_at: "2019-12-18T01:24:27+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/12/18/top-tips-and-tricks-from-2019-membership-hacks/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/12/18/top-tips-and-tricks-from-2019-membership-hacks.md" excerpt: "In the weekly Membership Hack column, we share small ways that associations save time, money, and resources while delivering value to members. Here are some of our favorites from the past year." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Member Benefits" - "Member Engagement" - "member retention" - "Membership" - "Mid-Level Professional" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Top Tips and Tricks From 2019 Membership Hacks If you ask an association staffer what they might want for the holiday season, I’m willing to bet they’ll tell you, “More time!” That’s because 2019 came and went in an instant, and the simple truth is that we all are time-strapped people, which is why I love writing the weekly [Membership Hack](https://associationsnow.com/search/Membership+Hack+) column. It’s where I share time-, money-, and resource-saving ideas from associations that others can replicate. If your New Year’s resolution is to serve members effectively and efficiently, a quick look back at some of the top Membership Hacks of the past year might keep you motivated in 2020. ### Dollars-and-Cents Incentives Nothing speaks more to member value than showing a return on investment. I love how the [American Homebrewers Association app](https://associationsnow.com/2019/08/membership-hack-an-app-to-track-savings/) allows members to track their discounts in real time, giving everyone a running tally on dollars and cents saved. Other incentives can help you recruit new members. For [the cost of a Starbucks latte](https://associationsnow.com/2019/08/membership-hack-5-trial-membership/) , the International Public Safety Association attracts prospects with a limited $5 trial membership that includes partial access to member benefits and services, including [selected publications and webinars (opens in a new tab)](https://www.joinipsa.org/5-Year-Anniversary) and free registration to IPSA’s fall meeting. And you can also get existing members in on a recruitment drive [using referral dollars](https://associationsnow.com/2019/11/membership-hack-referral-dollars/) . At the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants, each referring member gets a $25 credit, which can be used to pay down next year’s dues. ### Face-to-Face Engagement Engagement can be complicated, but many associations keep it simple by facilitating in-person encounters that help members connect in small team experiences. Take, for instance, the Hotel Association of North Texas, which hosts monthly [community service days](https://associationsnow.com/2019/10/membership-hack-community-service-days/) that support Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. Another way to get members mingling might be as easy as opening up your association’s office and treating it like a coworking space. This year, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council created [a flexible workspace near its Boston headquarters](https://associationsnow.com/2019/10/membership-hack-coworking-space-members/) that members can use for impromptu meetings and large-scale events. You can even engage members while they’re away from work. The National Association of Colleges and Employers [crowdsources summer reading lists](https://associationsnow.com/2019/06/membership-hack-summer-reading-list/) from members to keep them learning even while on vacation. A summer reading group that connects online could translate into a year-round book club that meets face to face. ### Virtual Connection For members who live and work far from each other, digital engagements like [the School Nutrition Association’s virtual expo](https://associationsnow.com/2019/03/membership-hack-virtual-expos/) work well to connect them. And at NIGP, the Institute for Public Procurement, [virtual chapters help members](https://associationsnow.com/2019/05/membership-hack-virtual-chapters/) with similar interests from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska to network across the miles. And if your members are short on time, consider the American Evaluation Association’s [“coffee break” webinar](https://associationsnow.com/2019/10/membership-hack-coffee-break-webinars/) s. These online learning opportunities last just 20 minutes—about the time it takes to finish a cup of joe. s ### Competitive Spirit Finally, several associations used member competitions to spur engagement this year. For example, there was [a conference walking challenge](https://associationsnow.com/2019/08/membership-hack-conference-walking-challenge/) , a [student design-build competition](https://associationsnow.com/2019/11/membership-hack-student-competition/) , and even [a membership recruitment competition for chapters (opens in a new tab)](https://www.billhighway.co/recruitment-competition-for-chapters/) . All of these added fun and excitement to member engagement. Do you have a simple idea that’s improved recruitment, retention, or engagement experiences for your members? Post your tips and tricks in the comment thread below and I may feature your Membership Hack in the new year. (artisteer/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 Benefits](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-benefits/) [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/) [#member retention](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-retention/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#Mid-Level Professional](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mid-level-professional/) **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 - [ArticleWhat a Washington, DC, Mansion Knows About Membership That We Don’tSeptember 9, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/09/what-a-washington-dc-mansion-knows-about-membership-that-we-dont/) - [ArticleFrictionless Onboarding: Nailing the First-Year WinsJune 8, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/08/frictionless-onboarding-nailing-the-first-year-wins/) - [ArticleMaking the Big Tent Feel Like HomeJune 1, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/01/making-the-big-tent-feel-like-home/) - [ArticleYour Annual Meeting is a Membership ProductJune 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/18/your-annual-meeting-is-a-membership-product/) ## 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%2F12%2F18%2Ftop-tips-and-tricks-from-2019-membership-hacks%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !