Each year, the WebLink Summit brings together business association and chamber of commerce executives from around the country to discuss ways they can use technology to improve their organizations.

This year's WebLink Summit will be May 30-June 1 at the brand-new JW Marriott in Indianapolis. The WebLink Summit is far more than a software user’s meeting – it’s a unique marketing, technology and social media conference designed to help associations and chambers of commerce use technology to market...

Your association database is the single most important asset your organization owns.

Many associations and chambers of commerce don't hold patents, produce products or create proprietary information, such as extensive research projects or detailed industry reports.  However, the collection of data in your membership database IS a propriety asset.

This data is unique and extremely valuable to your organization.

Your membership database software should contain everything you need to manage your...

I recently picked up the book, Search Engine Optimization An Hour a Day, by Jennifer Grappone and Gradiva Couzin. You know how you feel when you pick up a book that you just know you're going to like? That's how this book made me feel.

I like things that feel manageable. I really dislike breaking promises or missing deadlines, and an hour a day seemed like something I could commit to. Also, I love the way the book is set up with real examples, special tips, and even extra credit items.

Week 1 is...

Technology surrounds us everyday.  Most of it is even beneficial. :-)

It seems like just about everything is now being hosted in "the cloud" or turned into "as a service."  

There is even a company called Dollar Shave Club that recently began delivering razors to your door each month - for a low monthly fee, of course.  Razors As A Service - what's next?

Over the last 10 years or so, association management software and membership database software have followed this trend so association executives...

I was looking at the list of top 100 brands the other day and how they do what they do. Sure, we all know that companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike, Disney, and Apple have great brands. When we think of them, we’re instantly flooded with the feelings that their marketers have taught us to feel. But these are large companies. And associations and chambers don’t have nearly the budget or resources to put into branding.

So, what can associations learn from these megabrands?

1. Live and breathe...

With all the buzz in associations about social media and digital communications, now is a great time to swim upstream a bit.  Seriously, when is the last time you received a great print marketing piece?  One that not only stays on your desk, but as a membership or marketing professional, you show off to other association professionals. 

In a world of 140 character messages that are likely viewed while you are in line at the grocery store or waiting for an elavator don't you occassionally want to...

You've heard of the book "Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers," right?  What things are you doing today that seem a "must do" that you can stop doing to help you serve your members more effectively?   Or, what changes can you make that will help your organization adapt and thrive? 

Social media – and technology in general - has made it easier than ever for business associations, chambers of commerce and membership organizations to reach more of your audience more often AND when and where they...

• Create mailing...

As we’ve mentioned before, many chambers of commerce and business associations are jumping into blogging as a way to reach out to their audience and engage them with social media.   However, many organizations have just one person blogging due to time constraints or familiarity with social media.

Today, Seth Godin posted about the death of the personal blog.   (Don’t worry – there’s still room for your own blog about your personal interests.) However, his point is that the top 10 blogs are all...

What can you learn from dropped members?   Plenty!  IF you track and report on just a few items in your membership management software.   For this post, we’ll consider“dropped” members as members that have cancelled their membership or those who you’ve dropped because they haven’t renewed their dues.  (You are dropping them after they are past due, aren’t you?  You should be!)

This two-part post will first deal with Drop Reasons.  Part 2 will deal with Additional Potential Lost Revenue.

Drop...

• N...