Online Community Tips

Whether you just purchased a new community or if you've had a system for years, the question of if the system is paying off always remains important. Are you seeing a real return on your investment, or is the value you're getting falling short of what you're paying for the system?

Alright, you're sold on building an online space for your members. That's fantastic! But when you're wading through all the options out there, trying to pick the right tech, it can feel like buying clothes online – everyone looks good on the screen, but who's really a good fit?

In today's super-connected world, having a strong, active member community is a complete game-changer for any organization wanting to grow and make a real impact. A solid member community platform isn't just nice to have; it's a smart move that can completely change how your members link up, work together, and really get value from being part of your organization.

By now, most associations recognize that a robust online community isn’t a luxury, it’s a must-have. Whether your members are craving more meaningful connections, better collaboration tools, or streamlined access to resources, the right platform can make all the difference. But choosing the “right” platform? That’s where it gets tricky.

If engagement is the goal, then creative content is the path to reaching it. Yet for many associations, consistently generating meaningful, relevant, and interactive content for members can feel like an uphill battle. The question isn’t whether content matters, it’s how to create experiences that invite participation, foster knowledge-sharing, and deepen relationships among members.

Last week we had the pleasure of sponsoring the Association Platform Power Conference (APP25), held April 1–2 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia. This two-day event brought together users of Fonteva and Protech, two of the leading association management systems, for hands-on learning, networking, and discovery of tools that can amplify the impact of their organizations. With a strong turnout of association professionals eager to explore new ways to future-proof their operations, APP25 delivered on its promise to be a hub of innovation and inspiration.

The importance of a good mentor is no secret. As someone new in the association space half a decade ago, I leaned heavily on the connections I made both within Breezio and across the association space to familiarize myself with the industry. Building connections within your industry is one of the best ways to advance in your profession, and as an association, you can act as the home for building these connections between your members!

In the world of associations and professional networks, keeping members connected, informed, and engaged is critical to being successful. Expanding on the benefits provided by early listservs, online communities have become the go-to solution for capturing members' attention amid the overwhelming number of platforms and communication tools they already navigate.

Non-dues revenue has become a critical component for the financial health and sustainability of associations, but we find that so many associations find it hard to get started. According to a study done in 2023 by Naylor AMS, generating non-dues revenue was a top challenge of those surveyed and this trend has only continued to accelerate.