Date post: | 21-Oct-2014 |
Category: |
Business |
View: | 778 times |
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Title Page – Josh is designing this
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
We ARE Recording!
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
• Blogs
• YouTube
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 [email protected]
Joshua Paul www.socious.com [email protected] @Joshua_D_Paul