Community Zen

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Engaging your membership in discussion can seem daunting at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Having the right features within your membership site will allow your members to direct their feedback not only to you, but to other members. Sometimes all you need to do is to get the ball rolling, and members pick up the ball and keep it moving.

• Gain Deep Customer Insight
• Easier Identification of customer needs
• Customer-focused Product development
• Increased Customer Lifetime Value / Higher Customer Retention
• Instant Consumer feedback / Identify and engage Advocates & Detractors
• Ability to quickly enter the conversation

Your goal is to provide the features that members want and can use. What this does for you is enable you to tailor your products and services to the memberships different levels and/or the needs of specific groups/users. Focus your efforts on your members needs and the value of your products and services. When a need arises from members, you have the ability to quickly enter the conversation and provide solutions to their needs.

What features are the most important to building a long term, healthy membership?

Polls / Surveys:

Create Polls and Surveys to find out what your members want. Gather helpful marketing and development information by using this feature. Easily create and maintain multiple polls and surveys while preventing anyone from voting twice.

Full-featured Forums:

Discussion Forums

One of the best tools to build your community. Use Forums to provide personal coaching, communication and information like FAQ’s.

Forum Features

Key features include creating unlimited public, private and read-only forums, fast search and sort functions, eMail replies and member messaging. Forums can be controlled by access level - provide private forums for subscribers.

Content Comments

Content Rating

Member Directory:

A searchable directory of members and subscribers. Users can opt-in to including profile details and pictures enhancing the online community for all.

Member Profiles:

Customizable profiles for members to share information about themselves with others in the community. Great for networking!

Blogs:

Site Blogs will improve search engine rankings, create easily syndicated content that keeps your membership and guests coming back. In addition, you may choose to allow paid/registered members to create their own blogs! User generated content is one of the key factors in vibrant, sustainable communities. Blogs provide a robust, invaluable way for your members to participate in the community fully, showcase themselves and create a network with other members.

Event Calendar:

The built-in calendar allows you to remind your members about important events. Color code and categorize events for easy access for your members and team.

Built-in reminders let your members get reminders via eMail.

When considering the choices you have for membership software, always remember, that cost should not be your only factor in deciding whether or not you should purchase. If you want to have a successful membership site, and be able to provide all the features that members want and have come to expect, you need to make a wise decision! Make your members want to come back often, and liven up the forums with great conversation.

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1. Membership Sites With Social Networking Components Are Crucial