Shhhhh – don’t tell Rob but I (Kate) am filling in this week! This Association Tip will be just a little bit different. I have a challenge for every association staff person who wants to take this “New Economy” on with both feet forward.
Are you ready for an easy challenge that will (if you aren’t already) get you on the path to doing business different then you did in the “Old Economy”?
Do you want to stand out in the community, keep the members you have and even get new members?
Do you want to make your current members feel appreciated and motivated to refer new members to your association?
If you know me, you will know how passionate I am about the “written note”. NOT emailing – really writing a note – do you remember handwritten notes?
So, when was the last time you really sent a thank you note or any note of appreciation to someone in your association or your community?
Challenge: Start today and write one note. Write one note a day each day this week. That is four notes to start.
IF you start this new habit you may even continue next week, and send five more. Don’t get caught up in how it is written or the paper it is written on. Just start by getting out a note card or even a yellow tablet and write a note from your heart in your words. The person receiving this note will know it is from you by how you write it and will be pleased that you took the time to do it. Here are some ideas of who you could send a note to:
Past member – maybe someone who dropped in the past year (I hope you have not lost your way – we want you to find your way back to us.)
Current member – thanking them for being in the association and for what they do for you (We appreciate your membership and know that it is members like you that keep our association growing)
Employee/staff person – for doing all that they do to help keep your association growing (Times get busy in our work day and I wanted you to know I noticed you going the extra mile to make our association a success)
Vendor – for taking care of your association and providing you with their service (We know how busy your day is and we appreciate you going the extra mile to provide our association with excellent service)
Potential member – someone you want to join your association (You are someone our association wants as a member with and we have a special offer for you to join now.)
Last Tips For the best results: Hand address the envelope Put a real stamp on it – CROOKED! Put your first name above the return address Put your business card inside with a short note on the back And if you want to really go the extra mile – make the envelope “Lumpy”.
There is your challenge! If you really want to grow your association in this “New Economy” you will have to do things different to stand out and be noticed.
Let me know how you did!