Online Community Tips

Overview

This post marks the beginning of what we hope is an informative series on Association Management Systems and their capabilities! First up we have Rhythm, a relatively new player in the AMS arena that's been making quite a splash.

Rhythm burst onto the scene in 2019, thanks to the visionary leadership of its CEO, Andrew Ryan, and its CTO, Jim Catts. Together, they brought over three decades of collective experience in the association management software realm, and they combined this wealth of knowledge with the latest technological advancements to craft an AMS solution that's both intuitive and groundbreaking.

Company Summary: Rhythm helps associations by giving them an intuitive, powerful system that lets them advance their missions, further their communities, and provide resources for their industry. They combine a flexible platform with an intuitive member experience to become an extension of your team. Powerful, built-in configuration options make the platform feel like a custom fit without the customization fees. Rhythm also prides itself on customer service and helps clients get the most out of their system.

Staff Size: 25+

Location: Atlanta, GA

With all the systems out there being used by associations, it's never been more important to make sure your systems are in sync and working well with each other. With online community and forum tools being member-facing, having your AMS work with your community is even more crucial, which is why over 90% of our clients choose to integrate with their AMS or database system.

In our previous blog "Why Online Communities are Necessary in 2023 and Beyond", we discussed why online communities are key to getting your members engaged and connected with each other virtually, but what other types of systems or channels can you use to keep members connected with your association from anywhere?

The dust from the scramble for online member engagement in 2020 has finally started to settle, but as we move into the new year, it's never been more important for membership associations to continue prioritizing online communities as their home for virtual engagement. 

Thinking about restructuring your online community? Here are some ways in which you can optimize your online community and add interactive elements that encourage your members to participate.

Although several conferences and conventions have been back in person, there are others that are either still fully virtual or hybrid (a combination of in-person and virtual). In-person events and virtual events are different experiences, and there are ways to make the most out of each of them. Here are some ways you can make the most out of your experience at a virtual conference as an attendee:

It was inevitable for organizations to turn to online communities during the pandemic, as communicating digitally became the “new normal” across the world. Now that we are transferring to a hybrid (virtual and in-person) working environment, online communities have a new role to play. There are several benefits to having an online community for your association in general, but it is interesting to think about how community fits into your engagement strategy specifically post-COVID. Here are some ways online communities will benefit your members and staff alike: