The Member Lounge Podcast: Unlocking Association Success

Sponsorship & Member Engagement Mastery: What's Shaping the Future w Amanda Kaiser, Bruce Rosenthal & Farhad Khan

Episode Summary

In a riveting discussion hosted by Farhad Khan, Amanda Kaiser and Bruce Rosenthal unraveled the complexities of member engagement and corporate sponsorship programs within associations. This synthesis encapsulates the wealth of insights shared during this enlightening conversation

Episode Notes

1. Crafting a Winning Member Engagement Strategy:

• Navigating Challenges: The landscape of member engagement is evolving, presenting new challenges. The solution lies in a dual focus on delivering value and implementing effective engagement strategies.
• Diverse Engagement Tactics: Acknowledge the diversity within your membership, including those not fully embracing technology. Initiate a volunteer journey, starting with smaller roles, to cultivate engagement.

2. Corporate Sponsorship Unveiled:

• Strategic Approaches: Moving corporate members into sponsorship programs requires a nuanced strategy. Understand their unique goals, involve them in the decision-making process, and gradually progress sponsorship levels.
• Customization is Key: Recognize that corporate goals evolve. Tailor engagement for sponsors, offering customized opportunities that align with their shifting objectives.
• Inclusive Conversations: Break away from traditional sponsorship models. Engage sponsors in meaningful conversations, making them integral to strategic planning and committees.

3. Unraveling Member and Sponsor Objectives:

• Qualitative Research for Members: Dive deep into member experiences through qualitative research. Understand their challenges, goals, and preferences to create tailored programs that add significant value.
• Strategic Business Alignment: For sponsors, inquire about their business objectives, marketing goals, and preferred outreach methods. Align association offerings with their unique needs.
• Beyond Traditional Models: Shift the conversation beyond traditional sponsorship. Explore innovative, customized opportunities that cater to sponsors' evolving goals.

4. Navigating the Technology Landscape:

• Challenge Assumptions: Rethink assumptions about member technology use. Bridge gaps by meeting members where they are, and employ a multichannel approach.
• Seamless Multichannel Engagement: Utilize various channels such as SMS and email to engage members seamlessly, respecting their channel preferences and ensuring a cohesive experience.

5. Elevating Conference Sponsorships:

• Personalized Engagement: Steer clear of a one-size-fits-all approach in conference sponsorships. Understand each sponsor's unique goals and objectives for a personalized experience.
• Value Beyond Logos: Go beyond logo placements; sponsors desire active involvement. Make them part of the conversation, provide tangible value, and involve them in strategic discussions.

6. Evolution in Continuous Engagement:

• Sustaining Dialogue: Establish ongoing dialogues with both members and sponsors. Regularly reassess their needs to adapt programs and ensure continued success.
• Dynamic Reassessment: Continuously revisit conversations with sponsors. Understand changes in their initiatives and audience focus, allowing for dynamic adjustments.

About our panel members:

Amanda Kaiser is a sought-after member engagement strategist. She is the Keynote Speaker & Engagement Strategist at Kaiser Insights LLC and the author of “Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community”. 

Bruce Rosenthal is the Founder & Convener at Partnership Professionals Network. Bruce is a corporate partnership and sponsorship guru with more than two decades of experience as a strategic advisor, consultant and education for trade and professional associations. 

About our host:

Farhad Khan is a thought leader in membership websites and digital strategies for associations. He is the CEO & Membership Strategist at Grype Digital. He has helped numerous associations automate member engagement and retention over his career of 12+ years.

As you embark on your association's journey, remember that Member Lounge is your steadfast ally, ready to support the implementation of these strategic insights for unparalleled success! 🌐💬 #MemberEngagement #SponsorshipSuccess #AssociationStrategies #LearningPost