Getting your members more engaged on your website will give them a better understanding of the benefits your organization brings them and tie them closer to your organization. Marshall Jones, Executive Director of The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas (WFFT), shares three tips on how he successfully engages his business members (community partners) online.
Tip #1: Meet with Your Members and Demonstrate Your Value
Marshall found the best way to begin involving his members online, is to meet with members one on one and show them his online directory. His members were impressed with the robust profiles, pictures, and dynamic representation of their business, and saw the value of business membership with WFFT.
Not all of your members will be tech savvy. That is why Marshall suggests offering to build profiles for members as well. This ensures that all members can have a positive presence on your website.
Tip #2: Get Your Members Actively Involved in the Process
One key factor to the success of WFFT online engagement is allowing their members to do some of the work. Â By involving them in the initial and continuing process they have a more direct view of how the organization is benefitting them.
Many of the WFFT Community Partners created their own directory profiles. They are also given access to make continual changes. This has been very popular with their community partners. Some of their community partners have taken initiative to get more involved with their directory profiles by uploading pictures right after events and updating their company information regularly.
Tip #3: Invest in Technology That Best Fits Your Organization’s Size and Needs
Choosing the right technology will play a large part in successfully engaging your members online. Marshall found that using a technology that is too complex can really hamper your organization’s growth. By spending too much time on the technology itself you have less energy to engage with your members.
Marshall discovered that using membership driven software and website technology empowered WFFT to drive more sales to their members. Additionally, providing a dynamic directory technology for his community partners helped The Wine and Food Foundation increase upgrades from personal memberships to community partners at their most recent membership drive.
Watch the video to see the full interview which also includes information on how they utilize their events system.
Comments are closed.