{"id":38796,"date":"2021-11-09T13:36:18","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T18:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/personifycorp.com\/?p=38796"},"modified":"2021-11-09T14:39:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T19:39:58","slug":"ideas-for-showing-member-appreciation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/personifycorp.com\/blog\/ideas-for-showing-member-appreciation\/","title":{"rendered":"11 New Ideas and Tools for Showing Member Appreciation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Ashly Stewart, Content Marketing Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our first blog in our member appreciation series<\/a> gave you the latest stats and quotes from association leaders like you who are looking to show a little bit of gratitude to their members in a season of thanksgiving.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And even though a simple \u201cthank you\u201d makes anyone\u2019s day, associations and nonprofits are looking to go a little above and beyond for their members after a challenging 2021.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does going \u201cabove and beyond\u201d look like when members have seen it all?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think it has less to do with the tactics and more about making your appreciation efforts personalized for your members and your association.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the top ways we\u2019ve seen associations say \u201cthanks\u201d to members with some new ideas and tools you can craft for your appreciation campaigns.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Showing Member Appreciation Through Gifts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Personalized Letters <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I know. You\u2019re probably not thinking that writing a personalized, handwritten letter is exactly new. In fact, it\u2019s one of the oldest gifts in the book. But what is new is your association\u2019s ability to use data to send personalized letters at momentous moments in your members\u2019 lives.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to milestones in your members\u2019 journey with your association you can send a written letter of thanks and acknowledgment to events like:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Welcome letters for new members  <\/li>
  • Joining anniversary letters <\/li>
  • Donation letters <\/li>
  • Renewal letters <\/li>
  • Referral appreciation letters <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Beyond sending a personalized letter for moments related to your association, you can personalize letters for things like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Birthday letters <\/li>
    • New job letters (if they update their member directory profiles) <\/li>
    • \u201cThanks for attending\u201d letters as a follow-up to your flagship event <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      We recognize that writing handwritten letters takes time and resources, so we recommend choosing a couple of milestones for personalized letters, and don\u2019t be shy about recruiting volunteers or even a special task force dedicated to member appreciation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And if all else fails, you can send personalized emails.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2. Care Packages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      In the marketing world, we refer to care packages as \u201cdirect mail kits\u201d which speaks to the format of these gifts \u2014 you are mailing them a little box or package of goodies. But \u201ccare package\u201d definitely sounds closer to what we\u2019re hoping to accomplish in sending these gifts: showing thanks and care.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Care packages don\u2019t have to be big or expensive. We\u2019ve seen small care packages that include a note and a gift card. We\u2019ve seen other care packages sent with the purpose of inviting members to an event, and those can include notebooks, pens, and a mug, things that event attendees would appreciate.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      No matter what you decide to send, we\u2019re confident you can find a care package that suits your budget. And while you may not be able to send a care package to every member, sending care packages in cohorts to show appreciation throughout the year will be easier on your staff and your budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here are a couple of guidelines for a successful care package: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • If your association has some \u201cswag\u201d items like branded t-shirts, mugs, bags, etc. it’s always fun to include those in a care package.  <\/li>
      • If you have a piece of content you\u2019re particularly proud of like an annual impact report or newsletter, it\u2019s nice to include a printed piece, even though it\u2019s a little old-school. <\/li>
      • Include something fun! People especially love if there\u2019s a little gift in there for a pet or kids.  <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        3. Event VIP gifts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you have members who have are super attendees of your big events or they volunteer to help, send them a special VIP gift as a thank you. It could be an exclusive invite to a social hour happening before or after the event. It could be discounted materials and merchandise from your store or an exhibitor\u2019s booth. It could be as simple as a gift card to a local restaurant near the event venue.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        4. Email a playlist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Not every gift has to be extravagant or labor-intensive. You can email a themed playlist that aligns with the season and the holidays or a special \u201cthank you\u201d playlist full of fun, upbeat songs. These days, it\u2019s as easy as creating a public playlist on Spotify, copying the embed link, and placing it in the email.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Here\u2019s an example:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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