Rocky Mountain Management Services, Inc.

5 Tips to More Members

Ask Members to Renew
Members need to be asked to renew their memberships and a reminder in the newsletter isn’t enough. For annual memberships, send members at least a reminder postcard before their membership expires. Never assume that members remember when and how they are supposed to renew. They need a notice specifically for the purpose of renewal.

Ask Members Who They Know
Looking for membership candidates? Ask current members. Many organizations insert a postcard or form into their publications, asking members for the names and addresses of friends or associates who might be interested in joining. Follow up by sending these individuals information and a membership application.

Maintain an Expanded Mailing List
Keep name and address records on file for individuals who have expressed an interest in your organization, attended association events, or purchased association products, but have not joined. Mail a request to join at least once every year to these folks. Individuals rarely join on the first request. Be sure to take them off your list immediately if they request it, and make sure that they are not already members before you ask them to join.

Respond to Members’ Needs
Find out from former members why they are no longer members and look for trends. Deal with common complaints by adding/improving services or by marketing those services more appropriately. Periodically ask current members to prioritize what they need from the organization and determine how the association can meet those needs.

Membership is Everyone’s Job
Everyone — from the receptionist to volunteers to the Chief Executive Officer — needs to be able to answer basic membership questions. No one in your organization should ever seem surprised by the question “Why should I join your association?” Provide all officers and volunteers with some basic training in answering membership-related questions.