Are you about to transition from one association management system (AMS) to another? Or better yet, upgrade from a membership spreadsheet to an AMS? If so, congrats! That’s incredibly exciting!
That said, you might need (and want) to explain that exciting change to your members. Not sure how to have that conversation? Here are a few tips:
1. Explain the benefits
Your members don’t need to know the nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes features of an AMS (even if they are really cool). But what they do need to know is how the new software will benefit them. Will it make networking with other members easier? Will content be catered to their likes and interests? Will it make the dues renewal process easier? These are all things your members want to know and will care about, especially if those features add value to their membership.
2. Host a webinar (depending on how drastic a change)
Now this all depends on how drastic of a change you’re making, but if you’re going from a membership spreadsheet to an AMS or from one AMS to another that involves a lot of feature changes, it might be worth hosting a webinar for your members. This shouldn’t be to concern or overwhelm them, but rather, to showcase some of the new things they can do using your organization’s AMS.
For example, if the dues renewal process is easier with your new AMS, show them that! Show them how they can renew online with just the click of a button. Or if content will be catered to their likes and interests, show them how that works. Show them where that specialized content will be. This will get your members excited and eager to engage.
3. Accept feedback
Last but not least, when it comes to a change in software (or any change, for that matter), always be open to feedback. Let your members know where exactly they can submit questions, comments, and concerns, and actively read through/respond to those questions, comments and concerns. At the end of the day, an AMS should make your life easier, as well as your members’ lives easier, so if your members have questions and/or concerns, it’s important that you address those upfront.
Need help finding the right software for your association? Let us help! Check out our free buyer’s guide, Selecting the Right Association Management System, below!
