Want to put your association on the Internet, but need to keep a tight rein on your budget? You'll find great ideas to help you do both right here!
1.
Give
exhibitors an area to show off their wares
You know how successful trade shows can be -- why not put one on-line?
Invite companies your members work with to exhibit their products and
services! You can establish a special on-line exhibit hall linked to
your homepage. Charge a set-up fee to cover your initial costs, along
with a monthly fee to offset your maintenance costs. Your members will
get instant access to product information, exhibitors will gain exposure,
and you'll get much needed revenue.
2. Invite associate members to sponsor your site
Businesses are eager to get customers involved with the Internet --
and your association's programming can help! Why not give your key associate
members the opportunity to lead your group into the 21st century? Offer
sponsors plenty of recognition, along with high visibility at your site.
3. Charge a monthly fee for direct links
As organizations launch homepages, they are actively looking for ways
to encourage prospects and customers to stop by. You can help! Charge
a modest monthly fee to link your association's page to those of your
advertisers and suppliers. Your members will appreciate the convenience.
4. Sell publications on-line
Your members joined your association because they want the information
you offer. Why not give them immediate access to it? Instead of waiting
weeks as you typeset, print, and mail your publications, some members
will want the competitive advantage of finding out what's happening
as it happens! Offer electronic subscriptions to your current publications,
or create a new on-line newsletter.
5. Bring magazine advertisers on-line
Invite your advertisers to sponsor your on-line publications. You can
run their ads at the bottom of the screen--much like the Prodigy service
does--or you can put in a link that members can use to jump to a particular
ad. To encourage members to visit ads, you can develop contests or incentives.
6. Consider subscription fees
You'll want your homepage to be open to browsers from around the world.
But, other sections of your site can be designated members or subscribers
only. Plan to develop added-value services to which your members will
be eager to subscribe.
7. Charge small fees for specialized services
Many experts predict that the future of the Internet lies in on-demand
information. For example, you can place your entire inventory of back
magazine articles or special research reports on-line. When someone
needs information on a certain topic, they buy just the information
they need. The whole transaction is handled electronically.
8. Offer an on-line membership
Some associations are experimenting with electronic memberships. These
innovative arrangements service members almost entirely electronically!
Information, publications, and services are supplied on-line instead
of through the mail. Members get the information they want when they
want it--and you save on postage and printing!
9. Develop services for wider audiences
Are there any groups who might be interested in some of the information
you produce? Perhaps people who don't qualify for membership, but could
benefit from certain research or services? Consider offering information
or services a la carte! Provide an archive of articles or reports, and
charge a fee for each file that is downloaded. That way people can buy
just the information they need.
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To learn about how O'Connell Meier can generate bright ideas and boost sales for your orgainzation, give Rich Meier a call at 703.739.2266 or send us an e-mail. For a preview of the sales-boosting techniques we use, visit the association section of our bright idea generator. And for an overview of our company, our experience, and our creative and marketing services visit the About OM section. |
