Comments on: Bills Get Paid, Letters Get “Filed” http://www.associationinc.com/324 The business of associations Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:38:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kare Anderson http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71256 Kare Anderson Tue, 06 May 2008 00:29:25 +0000 http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71256 How about a one-two punch?: 1. An especially sizzling issue of the newsletter/magazine and/or a special gift to members - mailed/emailed just prior to .... 2. The bill for membership renewal, offering a special deal: free ebook by a popular speaker at that last conference plus ticket to an extra/exclusive session at next annual conference plus reduction in renewal price for 2-year renewal That, of course of a 3-part offering because (per Paradox of Choice book theme) more options than that confuse and disquiet the very people we want to buy/renew How about a one-two punch?:

1. An especially sizzling issue of the newsletter/magazine and/or a special gift to members - mailed/emailed just prior to ….

2. The bill for membership renewal, offering a special deal:
free ebook by a popular speaker at that last conference
plus ticket to an extra/exclusive session at next annual conference
plus reduction in renewal price for 2-year renewal

That, of course of a 3-part offering because (per Paradox of Choice book theme) more options than that confuse and disquiet the very people we want to buy/renew

]]> By: Tony Rossell http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71092 Tony Rossell Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:31:02 +0000 http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71092 Good points. But be sure not to use the word "invoice" on your renewal notice. It is not an invoice unless a member has agreed to pay by requesting a bill. Tony Good points. But be sure not to use the word “invoice” on your renewal notice. It is not an invoice unless a member has agreed to pay by requesting a bill. Tony

]]> By: David M. Patt, CAE http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71090 David M. Patt, CAE Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:46:35 +0000 http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71090 I stopped sending letters with membership invoices when a long-time member scolded me for it. He felt that letters offered members a chance to rethink their commitment. An invoice merely tells them it's time to pay for the commitment they've already made. We stopped sending letters and our retention rate increased. I stopped sending letters with membership invoices when a long-time member scolded me for it. He felt that letters offered members a chance to rethink their commitment. An invoice merely tells them it’s time to pay for the commitment they’ve already made.

We stopped sending letters and our retention rate increased.

]]> By: Chris Davis http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71083 Chris Davis Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:26:20 +0000 http://www.associationinc.com/324#comment-71083 Kevin, We have found the same to be true. Because we are an association of companies versus that of individuals, we try to educate as many people within our member companies as we can on the benefits of Membership. However, we have found that sending brochures and letters with the dues invoices has only shown an increase in annoying paper accumulation on the part of the member and not necessarily an increase in renewal rates. On another note, not to go into to much detail, as this is the subject of many various blog entries in an of itself, but we too call them dues invoices. It seems that they get paid quicker when people perceive them as an invoice rather than a renewal request with no real second thought given. Chris Kevin,

We have found the same to be true. Because we are an association of companies versus that of individuals, we try to educate as many people within our member companies as we can on the benefits of Membership. However, we have found that sending brochures and letters with the dues invoices has only shown an increase in annoying paper accumulation on the part of the member and not necessarily an increase in renewal rates.

On another note, not to go into to much detail, as this is the subject of many various blog entries in an of itself, but we too call them dues invoices. It seems that they get paid quicker when people perceive them as an invoice rather than a renewal request with no real second thought given.

Chris

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