Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida | Page 38

Association Corner

What good would a menu be if it told you the date the restaurant opened its doors but forgot to list the delicious food on offer? Not much at all. Yet, it’s surprising how many associations focus on details such as who founded them, when and why, and forget to list their delicious offerings – the real, practical ways in which they benefit their members. If you want a strong membership and increasing membership numbers, you need to show clearly why your association is the best choice and make joining irresistible. Start with these five simple steps:

Know Your Strength

If you’re going to tell your prospects why they should choose your association, you need to know what makes you the best. People are interested in the ways your association can:

- Make their life better

- Further their career

- Educate them

- Represent them

Identify what your association offers in each of those areas and ask yourself what makes you different from other associations in your field.

Identify Your Audience

The more you know about your prospects, the more you can speak directly to them. It’s time to listen – hang out on social media, follow conversations on blogs and forums, look at your social and website stats, ask questions or send a survey.