Why build a membership base?

5 reasons to build a membership base

Evolving last month’s blog theme on community engagement we are taking it one step further in October, and talking about membership models and why they can be useful to build relationships with your stakeholders. Whether you are creating an alumni network, ‘friends of’ scheme, professional network, consolidating your crowdfunders, or creating a customer/beneficiary base – check out some reasons why membership models could be a good approach..

1. Create a fan base – Build long-term relationships with key stakeholders through[/highlight] two-way communications channels, with people who are interested and connected to what you do, and are advocates for the sector/cause you champion. Communications channels could include an online forum, web-chat, customer forms, telephone helpline, e-newsletter amongst others.
2. Create a customer base – You can offer members financial incentives on a selection of products and services. Members are more likely to purchase from you or recommend you to others as they have a preferred alliance to your offerings. This creates a long-term customer base with regular and ad-hoc income streams.
3. Build a network – people want to connect with other like-minded people to either collaborate, converse or trade, so do they look to you to help foster these connections. You could build an online directory or online community to boost options.
4. Champion knowledge and recognition – People join networks to demonstrate they have access to knowledge, expertise, support a cause or seek a kite-mark of recognition. They align to your values, sector insight and credibility in the industry. You could create online areas of resources, produce an online newsletter, magazine, interactive Q&A functionality with experts, or create an online community with expert groups for shared discussion.
5. Adhere to communications practices – Creating a membership network will help you to manage and maintain a variety of communications practices with your stakeholders, particularly with new data protection legislation coming which may lock down how, what and when you can you promote to your existing stakeholder base..click here to find out more.

Look at our 10 Top Tips on building a membership strategy, or talk to us about implementing Salesforce CRM to manage your membership scheme. Contact us here