Getting LinkedIn to members

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but have just failed to post on it until I saw a message about LinkedIn come across ASAE & The Center’s Membership Section Listserv.

I blogged a while back about LinkedIn groups. Groups are a higher visibility way to let other LinkedIn users know about your association’s or club’s existence. However, you don’t have to set up a LinkedIn group to have an organizational presence on LinkedIn.

I'd encourage association professionals to search their association's name on LinkedIn. You may find some current or former co-workers. And I can virtually guarantee you'll find a few of your members who are citing their association membership on LinkedIn. If you know them, you should send them invitations to link. If you don't, email them to say you’re also on LinkedIn and arrange to have coffee at the next annual convention or an upcoming meeting.

Why would you want to do this? Well, realize that people who use LinkedIn are early adopters and influential connectors. These are precisely the people you want to think highly of you and the association you represent, because they’ll talk to lots of people about your association if you’ll just give them something to talk about. Also, think of LinkedIn as MySpace or Facebook for grownups. It’s another way to interact with and engage your members.

This is one tactic that you'll find effective in the new dynamics of member relations and engagement.

Tagged: Association Management; Associations; CAE; Certified Association Executive