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HOW TO CREATE AN AWESOME USER GROUP

Featured Speakers

@SociousSoftware

Kathleen McCasland YCC, Founder and CEO

Joshua Paul Socious, Director of Strategy

Housekeeping

Tech Check

Ask Questions in the Q&A Panel

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Twitter Hashtag: @SociousSoftware

Today’s Discussion

• Why are user groups important?

• Key roles and processes

• How to create a thriving user group

Why Active User Groups

are Important

@SociousSoftware

Members

@SociousSoftware

• Sense of community

• Source for industry/professional news

• Source to ask questions and get them

answered

• Source for continuing education

• Assists in professional advancement

Companies

@SociousSoftware

• Great marketing channel

• Great way to learn what is important to

their customers

• Great way to identify the leaders in the

community

• Great way to instill product loyalty

User Group Roles, Tools,

and Processes

@SociousSoftware

User Group Management Models

@SociousSoftware

• Total volunteer management

• Company initiated, funded, and managed

• Association management company

• Executive Director hired by board and

responsible for staff, equipment, office, etc.

Annual Review

@SociousSoftware

• Mission statement

• Vision statement

• Bylaws

• Strategic goals

• Budget/finances

• Website

• Future conference locations

Tools

@SociousSoftware

• Association Management System

• Event Management System

• Robust website

• Webinar platform

• Survey and polling

• Accounting/finance tool

• Document sharing

• Mobile App

Reliable Sources of Information

@SociousSoftware

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

• Association Management Companies Institute (AMCI)

• Meeting Professionals Institute (MPI)

• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

• LinkedIn Groups

• IMEX

Processes

@SociousSoftware

• Board management, policies, elections

• Technology

• New member onboarding

• Website community management

• Continuing education

• Conference planning

• SIG/Committee charters

• Finance

• Sponsors, partners, and exhibitors

Components of a Thriving

User Community

@SociousSoftware

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

LEADERSHIP

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.- Lao Tzu

• Staff

• Board

• Volunteers

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

VOLUNTEERISM

• Identify a volunteer leader

• Listen to your volunteers

• Don’t do everything in the office just

because it is easier

• Develop a leadership program

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

ROBUST WEBSITE

• Active forums or discussion groups

• Easy navigation

• Updating news on front page

• Member profiles

• Members only section/pages

• Twitter feed

• Blog Aggregator

• Members in the news

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Twitter

• Blogs

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Pinterest

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

Listen

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

RISK TAKING

• Responsibility to members

• Responsibility includes suggesting new

ideas

• Be ready for some failures and accept

them

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

FUN FACTOR

• Start with the Board

• Insert fun in email blasts

• Make an effort to include fun at your

events

• Remember, the fun can begin with you

Components of a Thriving User

Community

@SociousSoftware

GIVING BACK

• Don’t get too caught up in banking the

money

• Help members in need

• Community service

• Encourage members to share professional

knowledge

Questions

@SociousSoftware

Kathleen McCasland www.teamycc.com KCM@TeamYcc.com

Joshua Paul www.socious.com jpaul@socious.com @Joshua_D_Paul