I want to improve my membership

292

Last updated 7 years ago

First published 11 January, 2017

Using insights from our Society Membership Survey, we want to help answer those questions.

Members

English Rating: ALL ages Shortest path: 7 nodes Longest path: 9 nodes Possible solutions: 21

Sunaina Kamal

What are you interested in? Member retention. Member acquisition.
What’s your primary concern with member retention? Decreasing engagement. Aging/retiring membership. Diverse services.
Do you have conferences and regional events? Yes. No.
The most engaged members are those who think their society’s work is important for humanity and take part in networking opportunities. Events and conferences are a great way to foster engagement through a passionate network of researchers..
Has attendance decreased? Yes. No.
Try to encourage sponsors to support travel grants and funding for researchers. Cuts in funding are a barrier in many regions, and travel can be restrictive. Ensure that there is an impactful online track to the conference, sharing key takeaways and networking opportunities via social media as well..
Conferences can be a forum for sharing content and information, but also an opportunity to build community. Explore activities and events as part of your conference that will enhance a feeling of community among all members, particularly first time attendees..
Are you interested in attracting Early Career Researchers? Yes. No.
Make sure you have student rates in place to start engaging with Early Career Researchers before they begin their careers. Developing programs to support Early Career Researchers, either mentorship or grant opportunities will help build loyalty and community. Transparent communication is also key to targeting this community..
Retiring membership is unavoidable. The good news is that Early Career Researchers are very interested in how society membership can support them on their careers. Consider focusing efforts on this group..
Where are you looking to grow? Publications. Online events. Certificate programs.
Engaging with a society’s publication is one of the top activities members do (69%). However, as access becomes less of a barrier this might change. Those most likely to read the publication are over 50 and based in the US. Diversifying a publication program to focus on your mission and the context of your research might help solidify your publishing program..
We found that 27% of members surveyed attended webinars, and 27% engaged with social media. This is still far from the 53% that attend the annual meeting, but will be of growing importance to your membership. Try different types of events, and poll your members afterward to see what they respond best to..
Our research shows that 27% of members maintained their organization’s certificate, and 19% acquired their organization's certificate in the past year. This tool is powerful, and given the interest in maintaining certificates, it is also something that will help keep members renewing year after year..
Where are you looking to grow? Early Career Researchers. New geographic regions. Outside of academia.
Do you offer student membership rates? Yes. No.
Cost is often an even greater barrier for those just starting their career. Explore scaled membership costs, as well as travel grants and scholarships..
Do you have a social media presence? Yes. No.
Communication is key for Early Career Researchers. They aren’t as familiar with what is available to them, so ensuring that there is a clear invitation to join and the benefits are conveyed clearly will help attract this audience..
Explore the impact that your society can have on social media. A low-cost solution, social media is a powerful way to engage one-on-one with a global audience..
Select a location. USA. Central Asia. Europe & UK. Africa & Middle East. APAC. Central & South America.
Potential US members value content over community or career member benefits. They are more likely to not join because they do not see the value, so ensure value-driven communications and opportunities to access content..
Respondents from Central Asia are more likely than the average to join a society in the next year. They value active engagement on social media and member benefits that support their careers. Build up that Twitter presence to engage directly with these potential members..
This region is less likely to join a society in the next year than other geographic areas. They often cited no value as the reason they weren’t involved with a society, and are less attracted to content. To grow European membership, focus on articulating your history and mission. .
These researchers again are more likely to see no value in joining a society. They also are less drawn to research for the learning community it fosters. Targeted outreach to these regions will involve clear career benefits..
Potential members from APAC were less likely to let their membership lapse because of funding cuts, but more likely to lapse because they found another society. Focus on how your society is different from the others in terms of mission and member benefits..
Respondents from Central & South America value consistent communication, as well as networking opportunities. Explore possibilities for regional events or non-English language messages..
Select one. Hospitals. Government orgs.. Corporations. Other practitioners.
Members who work in hospitals or healthcare are less likely to produce research themselves, and they read it less frequently. They want to take advantage of career-oriented activities, like certification programs, and access publications..
Those in government are less likely than the average to be members. They aren’t as focused on community-building, and are likely to lapse due to funding cuts. Targeting these potential members will require focusing on tangible benefits and content..
Potential corporate members engage with research less frequently and are less likely to become members. When they do join, they value access to content and will take advantage of professional development and informational activities..
In general, society membership and research engagement is not part of a practitioner potential member’s core job requirements. Acquiring these individuals takes dedicated outreach and clear articulation of how membership benefits their professional development..