Branding your association for the future

Jul

Cody Hobbs
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Association . branding . millennial .

As we’ve discussed before, the way people search for information online has taken a dramatic shift over the last 5 years. And as we pass the half way mark of 2017, things are only getting more and more refined. When recruiting new members, you’ll want to keep these 5 things in mind:

1: Keep your message clear and simple: While your association may DO a lot of things, think of what really defines you, and incorporate that into your tagline. Don’t overload your potential members with a ton of extraneous information right off the bat.

2: Rise above: As more and more associations and organizations enter the market, think of ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. What key feature do you offer that others don’t?

3: Do well by doing good: Despite what many say, the millennial generation likes to feel philanthropic, and are more likely to join an association if they feel that they are going to be apart of something that does good. The good deeds your association does should be front and center, especially in your branding efforts.

4: Be where the (young) people are: Because young people are bombarded by so much media, you will want to be a constant presence where they mingle. Even if your association is geared toward those already working in their profession, it’s still a good idea to target collages, and coffee places near campus. This will put you in the forefront of their mind when it comes time for them to consider joining an association.

5: Amp up your social media presence: Chances are your association has a Facebook page, and possibly a twitter, too. Make sure to keep it constantly updated. Also, encourage others to like your associations page, and share your posts. Most Facebook feeds show “top stories” first, so even if you have posted grade A material, it still could be living at the bottom of the barrel. The more likes and shares your posts receive, the higher it will move up in the feed. Paying for a sponsored post might also be a good idea, too.