Amplifying Your Association’s Presence: A Guide to Increased Visibility and Engagement
As association leaders, your primary goal is to create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and engagement.
In the digital age, one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through your online learning platform. But how do you ensure that your courses and resources reach as many members as possible? The key lies in increasing your association’s visibility through strategic advertising and marketing campaigns.
In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to enhance your association’s presence and attract both new and existing members to your online learning offerings.
Creative Campaigns to Boost Engagement
1. Continuing Education (CE) of the Month/Speaker of the Month Campaigns
This one’s simple: feature a specific course, speaker, or topic each month.
If your association already observes themed months or weeks, align some of your on-demand courses with those themes. This not only increases awareness but also helps in reducing choice paralysis for your members.
For example, if a certain credit type is particularly sought-after or challenging to obtain, spotlight courses that cater to that need. Themes aren’t just naturally engaging–they can help you fill out important CE niches in the industry!
2. Last Chance to Buy Campaign
Another good strategy is to create a sense of urgency for courses that are expiring soon.
Informing members that certain courses won’t be available for much longer encourages quick decision-making, especially for those who have been contemplating enrollment.
3. New Course Launch Campaign
Ensure your members are always in the loop when it comes to your newest courses. Templates provided by platforms like Vocalmeet are especially useful for announcing new courses across your association’s various channels.
These announcements can also work in tandem with “Last Chance to Buy” campaigns, highlighting CE on both ends of the availability spectrum.
Enhancing General Visibility
1. Email Signatures
A simple yet effective tactic is to include links or information about your online learning platform in staff email signatures. This constant, subtle reminder can drive traffic to your courses.
2. Website Optimization
Your association’s website is a powerful tool for promoting your educational offerings. A good way to ensure success is to pick a platform that makes your courses prominent, accessible, and user-friendly.
Feature your learning platform on your homepage, use clickable banners, and regularly update your site with information about new courses and ongoing campaigns.
3. Newsletters
Dedicate a section of your weekly or monthly newsletter to your continuing education. Keep the content fresh and engaging to maintain interest. You can also use this space to mix up your promotional strategies, highlighting different courses, speakers, or special offers.
4. In-Person Events
Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your online learning during live events. Mention it during meet-and-greets, conferences, or workshops. If you’re recording an event to add to your platform, let attendees know. This doesn’t detract from live participation, but it does provide an option for those who can’t attend in person!
You may also like: Becoming the Go-to Continuing Education Resource for Your Members
Conclusion
For association leaders, increasing the visibility of your online CE is crucial for engaging your members and providing valuable educational resources. By implementing creative campaigns, optimizing your digital and physical touchpoints, and regularly refreshing your promotional content, you can significantly enhance your association’s presence (and value!) in your members’ professional lives.
Remember, it’s not just about offering great courses–it’s about making sure your members know about them!