Tip: Enhance Your Research

The ability to research effectively is a crucial skill in many jobs–especially when in connection with the law: for bar associations and their members alike, fast, accurate legal research capability is essential. Because of this, it’s important to properly organize your association content and boost its accessibility by making it as easy as possible to find; this is particularly important if your association is promoting CLE training and publications. Thankfully, there are a few proven approaches to do exactly that!

Leverage Document Software Designed Specifically for Legal Research

When providing access to legal material, bar associations should use a solution that facilitates searching, highlighting, and annotating legal documents. It’s important to pick one that’s user-friendly and intuitive, as well as one that fully integrates with your website and your learning management platform. You want something that’s a pleasure to use and that allows seamless navigation with the rest of your web environment. For this reason, white-label integration is a must!

And, because you’ll likely be using it frequently, you’ll want one that loads quickly. Focus on SaaS applications (we’ll get to that in the next post!) so you can access content directly on your browser; no external programs means you don’t need to worry about access points (or about carrying around your work PC!). Not only that–web-based solutions are also more likely to incorporate the latest innovations for saving bandwidth and loading time, such as dynamic caches, lazy-loading, and infinite scrolling.

Provide Advanced Search Capabilities

Any modern legal research solution should allow users to combine full-text search in the body of your documents with search-by fields (such as date, author, field of law, etc.). At the minimum, your search engine should support Boolean operators, including:

• AND: Adding “AND” means all linked words must be included.
  • For instance, searching pink AND blue AND green will only give you results that include all three colors; this limits your results.
• OR: Using “OR” means one or the other–not both.
  • For instance, searching pink OR blue OR green will give you results that give you only pink, only blue, or only green–but not a combination of any of them; this gives you a larger pool of more specific results.
• NOT: Searching “NOT” filters out results that contain the word.
  • For instance, searching pink NOT blue NOT green will only give you results for pink, removing anything that mentions blue and/or green; this considerably fine-tunes your results.

Ideally, however, your research solution should also enable users to complete proximity searches; for instance, it should allow for searching within sentences (/s) or paragraphs (/p). Wildcard operators (*) are also highly appreciated by legal researchers, as they allow truncated words and look for all derivatives of a keyword from a single query. For instance, if one were to search “injunct*” to get documents, the solution would also match either “injunction” or “injunctive”. The best legal search solutions provide stemming capability by default, weighing in the possible derivatives (including singular and plural forms!) in their lists of results automatically. Now, that’s helpful!

You’ll probably agree that a common annoyance when browsing the Web is getting a long list of search results without any context about why you’ve received these results in the first place. To guarantee your members reach the pages and documents you invested your efforts in, make sure your search results page guides them in the right direction.

Employing the use of short snippets that are automatically generated from the body of your content and include keywords in context (in bold) are a must. Various ranking mechanisms (by relevance, but also by date, by popularity, etc) can also aid members in their searches. In addition, your members will greatly appreciate the ability to refine their searches directly from the results page (instead of clicking back and forth between distinct search and results pages)!

Finally, when your members reach their destination on the page or document you’ve produced, why not help them navigate it even faster with keyword highlights? This is particularly relevant for larger publications, in which the significant content may be hidden deep within the document.

Curious to see how all of this advice can be combined in practice? Here’s how the State Bar of Wisconsin has done it for its Books Unbound service!

You may also like: Academic vs Association LMS: 4 Key Differences

Conclusion

Research improvements can’t be overlooked when it comes to boosting value for bar associations. With the right tools and savvy, you’ll be able to offer your members an unparalleled search experience!

Next week: the Cloud!

The post Technology Tips and Tools to Help Bar Associations Build Trust and Support Members – Part 2 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Most states require a certain number of CLE hours each year to maintain a law license, but it can be hard to find quality courses that fit members’ busy schedules. And–let’s be honest–most CLE courses aren’t exactly the most exciting things around!

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way! By following a few simple steps, bar associations can start building better CLE courses with ease.

1. Harnessing the Power of Niche Content

When it comes to CLE courses, one size does not fit all. Attorneys will often look for courses specific to their particular area of practice, so the more specialized the content you provide, the better!

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples. An attorney who works in criminal law will not be interested in a course on tax law; likewise, a corporate lawyer will not want to sit through a course on family law.

This much may seem obvious, but it can go a step further. Your association should search for interesting, relevant, and unique topics for its courses. Yes, you should have more general courses–these are perfect for introductory programs!–but if you want to really bring value to your membership, try thinking outside the box.

Try to make your content timely. Is there a precedent-setting case in the news? Perhaps you’ll want to do a deep-dive webinar on the details. Are there laws being reexamined or updated? You could cover these, as well!

Additionally, by partnering with experts in various niche areas, bar associations can offer courses that are tailored to specific practices. This will ensure that attendees get the most relevant and useful information possible.

Not only will this make your CLE courses more interesting for attendees, but it will also make your audience more likely to return in the future. You want to capture their intention with insightful, valuable content. After all, why would an attorney take an irrelevant, useless course from their bar association? It’s all about quality!

Once you’ve made your content, make sure to categorize it thoroughly. You want your members to be able to actually find your courses! Keep everything as organized and accessible as possible.

If your bar association is looking to build better CLE courses, consider harnessing the power of tailored content. It’s one surefire way to interest and engage new members! Now, let’s look at a few more:

2. CLE for the Next Generation: Attracting New Members

As the legal profession evolves, so must the way bar associations provide Continuing Legal Education. The needs of lawyers are changing, and bar associations must adapt to continue to meet those needs. In particular, there is a need to engage new lawyers in CLE programs.

First, you have to let your audience know what’s available. Make sure to promote your programs across your association’s social media channels. To spice things up, try offering seasonal packages, keeping things timely and relevant. Remember to be consistent; if you only post rarely and sporadically, you won’t stay in the minds of your members for long!

Next, you want to make things interesting. You can try incorporating gamification into your programs; by making them interactive and offering digital badges as achievement-style rewards, you’ll be upping the excitement factor of your courses. You could even incorporate–selectively!–a few choice memes to amuse your audience.

Third, it’s important to make sure the programs you offer are affordable. New lawyers often have large student loan debts and may be working in jobs that do not pay high salaries. Discounts on CLE programs for new members can make them more accessible to new lawyers.

By offering relevant, convenient, and affordable CLE programs, bar associations can better engage new lawyers with their educational offerings. This, in turn, will help to ensure that your members’ careers–and your association’s membership base–continue to thrive!

3. Two Birds, One Stone: the Value of the Hybrid Events 

As the world becomes increasingly mobile and virtual, it can be difficult to know how to best engage your members; is it better to do in-person or online sessions?

The answer is simple: host a hybrid event!

Hybrid events are a combination of in-person and virtual courses, and they offer several benefits to both bar associations and their members. There are a number of ways to make your event hybrid, like livestreaming the session on your association’s website, or else recording and posting it online after the event–or, even better, both!

Hybrid CLE courses allow members who cannot attend in-person to still participate and receive credit. This is especially beneficial for members who have busy schedules. Livestreamed courses take care of geographical limitations, and on-demand recorded courses open the field up to everyone.

Hybrid CLE courses allow bar associations to further their reach and increase their earning potential at the same time. You’re making your session accessible to an entire second audience–without losing the first–and bypassing the most common barriers to entry for in-person events. This means you can earn more revenue than from an in-person event alone!

The use of hybrid CLE courses is a win-win for both bar associations and their members. By offering these courses, bar associations can ensure that their members are able to receive the education they need–while simultaneously expanding their reach and non-dues revenue!

You may also like: The Top 5 Strategies for Bar Associations to Increase CLE Revenue in 2021 and Beyond

When it comes to building better CLE for your bar association, it’s best to pay attention to the basics: focus on tailoring your content, attracting new members, and increasing accessibility. You want solid, quality courses that no one else offers; you want to attract new members with your value and ease of use; and you want to reach as wide an audience as possible. Follow ACLEA’s footsteps and “Adjust, Collaborate, and Elevate”!

The post Building Better CLE: Tips for Bar Associations appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Marketing online CLE courses requires a different strategy than marketing in-person CLE sessions. For example, it’s not enough to simply rebrand all in-person sessions as “virtual” or “on-demand” without any additional information. As some members may not be comfortable with taking online CLE, let them know that it’s easy to sign up, that there’s technical support if they need it, and if offered on-demand, that they can access the CLE courses at their own convenience. For that reason, marketing is a complimentary service Vocalmeet provides to all our legal clients to help them increase their online CLE sales.

Additionally, a concrete marketing plan must be accompanied with a solid website. How a website looks and functions is every bit as important as the content itself. Your website content could be relevant and meaningful, but your members may still ignore your message if it is not designed well.

Continue reading below for our top 10 website design best practices to help drive traffic to your site and increase your online course sales. Incorporate these tips as you see fit and make your association’s website the best resource it can be!

Top 10 Website Design Best Practices

1. Set a Goal and Follow Through

When designing a website, it’s important to make a list of goals that you want your website to accomplish. Do you want it to drive membership, teach viewers the benefits of joining your association, or convince them to purchase courses? Try thinking about these goals in terms of a “call to action” to better help formulate your goals. After ranking this list in order of priority and importance, identify and implement as many ways to achieve these goals as possible.

2. Audience-Driven Design

If you want your website to attract an audience, you need to know who they are and what they like. If you have this information, you can better direct your design, tone, and content to match your target audience. Identify them by demographic. For example, what kind of work do they do, and what interests them the most? What other products and services do they use?

3. Simplicity Over Everything

A simple and clean aesthetic is one of the most effective design decisions you can make for your website. An uncomplicated design and user-friendly interface allow for clean navigation and accessible options. In general, clutter can have a negative impact on viewership and engagement. Too many options or pages, regardless of how amazing their content may be, can lead to “paralysis by analysis” for viewers – a form of overthinking that can be counterproductive for a website. As a result, websites should limit the number of overall pages, as well as design each page with plenty of white (or “negative” space) in order to give each item of content or image the space to breathe and be experienced.

4. Responsive Design

Responsive design almost always refers to the ability of a website to automatically accommodate the screen size, viewing platform, and screen orientation of each visitor. All modern websites should take into consideration a diverse array of viewers and devices. In this case, however, responsive design also speaks to a design that reacts quickly and effectively to user decisions while browsing. This means that the images, videos, and playable media of a website should load quickly. It also means that users should receive responses to their requests in short order. Additionally, organizations should ensure that all contact is met with a confirmation immediately after processing any kinds of requests.

5. Helpful Color Schemes

The choice of website colors can make or break a website. Colors can invoke specific emotions in viewers. They can help people better identify with an organization, as well as instill stronger brand recognition among visitors. It’s also important to ensure that colors are used effectively with each other. Websites should be designed in a way that has the text popping off the background color without putting too much strain on the eye. This is usually done by using a dark font over a lighter background. Try avoiding using similar shades, hues, and saturation alongside each other as well, as this can lead to a distracting effect where the colors meet.

6. Strategic Design

While common sense and thoughtfulness usually go a long way, there are some strategic choices that organizations can make for their website design. Organizations may, for example, employ the rule of thirds, which breaks the screen into a grid of two evenly spaced horizontal lines and two evenly spaced vertical lines. The four resulting intersecting points on the screen are your thirds – the points on the screen to which the eye is naturally drawn. It is on these intersections that a website’s most important features should be placed, such as the call to actions. Another option is to connect components into thematic groupings by using similar shapes, colors, and fonts. This allows viewers to subtly associate different on-screen elements with each other.

7. Proper Structure

How a website is structured can help users navigate and browse more easily. One of the most important structure elements is the header. Headers should only be used sparingly and should accurately explain and contextualize the content below them; this aids visitors in interpreting and digesting the material. Websites should also include tools like “breadcrumbs” so users can retrace their steps when desired. If your website incorporates forms, they should be clearly labeled and easy to complete. Be sure to provide clear instructions and information – assume that everyone is unaware of the typical process and new to your webpage (and organization!) as a whole.

8. Consistency

A good website is an extension of an organization. The tone and feel of the website should be consistent with the overall brand. There should also be a consistency between the pages on the site, a natural flow that is present throughout. However, the website should be consistent not only with itself, but with the conventions of the rest of the web as well. While it can be tempting to be unique and artsy, being too adventurous and unconventional can lead to miscommunication. When using call to actions, for example, users should be able to easily identify and understand them. You may wish to follow some of the language and conventions used by major online brands, like Amazon, Facebook, or Google.

9. Avoid Automatic Media

While more of a faux pas than a rule, automatic media has quickly become a major no-no in the design community. Things like scrolling text, auto-playing sounds or videos, carousels, and sliders are more distracting and harmful to a viewing experience than anything else. Additionally, organizations should consider allowing users to alter the text and layout of a website. Locking down the text size can be very limiting for some viewers, especially those with poor vision.

10. Track, Report, and Adjust

If your goal is constant website improvement, you should use every tool in your belt. Don’t be shy about testing something new, but be sure to track and analyze how effective it was. Make sure to take advantage of website analytics; organizations can now identify how viewers find their page, where they go first, and where they stay longest. They can measure how people scroll and how they interact with the site. If an organization finds that certain elements are underperforming, they should be moved or replaced altogether. Use the available data to optimize every component of your website, and your organization will enjoy more satisfied viewers and higher conversion rates.

By taking all of the above into account, your association will have a sleek new website in no time!

The post Why Legal Associations Should Care About Their Website to Increase Online CLE Sales appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Can associations use the same strategy to market online events as they would in-person events? Well, not necessarily.

Welcome back to our conversation on proven strategies that associations have used to run successful online events with Dr. Laurelle Jno Baptiste, Vice President of Professional Services at Vocalmeet. In Part 1, we focused on the key factors that associations must explore before choosing an online platform. In Part 2, we discussed the different hybrid formats and how associations can offer hybrid events cost-effectively. And last but certainly not least, in Part 3, we address how associations can generate revenue with online events.

Q: Many associations fear that members do not see the value in paying for online events, and so they decide to offer these online events for a significant discount or even free. Consequently, some associations haven’t been able to generate the same level of non-dues revenue from online events, as they would with in-person events. Based on your work with association clients, would you agree that online events should essentially be offered for free?

A: That is 100% a myth that must be demystified. Helping members and other attendees see the value in online content requires a shift in mindset. And that shift in mindset must start with the association. What do I mean by that?

1. To start off, the traditional in-person format means that the financial benefits of these in-person events are singular and often marginal, as in-person events cannot be recreated once completed.
2. With online events, associations can get a longer-lived value from the investment of time and money. This means that with pre-recorded sessions or sessions that are recorded during the live events, associations can continue to generate revenue by selling these sessions on-demand long after the event has ended.
3. The shift in mindset comes from understanding that there is value in convenience, reduced expenses of attending online events, and flexibility for members to access on-demand sessions at any time afterwards.

In fact, through our work with association clients, we see first-hand how much members do see the value in convenience and not having additional expenses around travel, accommodation, and taking time off work. For example, associations we work with typically attract about 10% of their total membership base to in-person conferences. Of course, you can argue that members who attend in-person events regularly value the in-person networking opportunities. But what about the remaining 90% of members?

Well, I mentioned earlier in Part 2 that although some members are eager to network, others may simply wish to attend education sessions. Removing the traditional barriers to attending events, and offering sessions on-demand afterwards, have certainly helped our clients significantly increase the percentage of the membership that are engaged in their events and programs in general.

Q: That’s a great point, and engaging more members throughout the year with online events will surely help with membership retention as well! You mentioned that associations need to help attendees see the value in online content. Can you share some strategies on how to accomplish this?

A: It all comes down to marketing, and I can’t stress this enough: marketing online events requires a different strategy than marketing in-person events. It’s not enough to simply rebrand all in-person events as “virtual” without any additional information. Be mindful that some attendees may not be comfortable with technology and especially with attending online events. That said, it’s critical that associations outline the benefits of online events:

• Address the technical concerns by letting attendees know that it’s easy to sign up for online events and that there’s technical support if they need it.
• Highlight the savings they obtain from not having to travel and still getting the value of the education sessions (not to mention access to the on-demand recordings for as long as the content remains relevant!).
• Remind attendees how the online sessions can help them improve their skill sets for their professional work; this is even more important if the sessions are voluntary and not for continuing education credits.
• One of my colleagues wrote an article for the American Society of Association Executives on Why Associations May Be Disappointed in Their Online Course Sales – it’s worth reading! The article covers how associations can mitigate the challenges around having to compete with so much content available online today.

That wraps up our conversation! Thank you for joining us, and we hope you gained some valuable insights on running successful online events. We understand that every association has different goals and mandates. If you’d like a second opinion for your upcoming events, send us a request and we’d be happy to share additional insights into what our association clients have done.

The post Proven Strategies for Associations to Run Successful Online Events: Part 3 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Can associations offer hybrid events without breaking the bank? The answer is YES!

Welcome back to our conversation with Dr. Laurelle Jno Baptiste, Vice President of Professional Services at Vocalmeet, on proven strategies that associations have used to run successful online events. In Part 1, we focused on the key factors that associations must explore before choosing an online platform. And in Part 2, we discuss the different hybrid formats and how associations can offer hybrid events cost-effectively.

Q: From our conversations with associations across the US and Canada, we know that hybrid events are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Before we dive deeper, can you expand on the definition of “hybrid”?

A: Hybrid events can mean a variety of different things for different associations. There isn’t necessarily one exact definition of what a hybrid event entails; however, some of the more common approaches that we’ve seen associations use include:

1. Live-stream in-person events. This means there are in-person attendees, as well as online/remote attendees. This approach gives remote attendees the chance to experience the event as it is happening live. Some attendees within a local area may even choose to watch the live-stream together to create a more immersive experience. Most associations choose to record their live-streamed content as well to be made available on-demand afterward.
2. Conduct all presentations or education sessions online – whether live or pre-recorded – and organize in-person networking sessions. Some members may simply wish to attend education sessions, while others are eager to network. This type of hybrid approach not only provides flexibility for attendees but also allows associations to better allocate resources (i.e. the education sessions and networking events do not have to be scheduled on the same day).
3. Offer a combination of live-streamed sessions and on-demand pre-recorded content. Associations may choose to live-stream keynote speakers and have educational presentations pre-recorded. This means that some speakers are recorded prior to the day of the event, and the pre-recorded sessions can be viewed on-demand on the day of the event and after the event has ended. Other speakers are live-streamed on the day of the event. This approach provides flexibility for both presenters and attendees, as well as reduces the risks of running into technical difficulties on the day of.

Going back to Part 1 of our conversation, the goals of each event will guide how your association defines hybrid. Consequently, your definition of hybrid will determine whether you use a live-streaming solution or a learning management platform for on-demand content, whether you charge for an all-access event pass or a per session access, whether you work with a vendor that can provide live-streaming support and on-going support for on-demand content, and so on.

Q: Many associations are concerned about budget moving forward, and live-streaming an in-person event can often feel like planning for two separate events (an in-person event and an online event). Can you explain how associations can live-stream an in-person event cost-effectively?

A: Great question! I should mention that at Vocalmeet, we work primarily with associations, and this means that we understand how important budget and resources are for associations.

Live-streaming solutions have progressed considerably over the past few years. To give some context, traditional live-streaming typically required hiring a full AV team to set up large recording equipment, conduct the actual recording and manage the broadcast. Now, live-streaming can be done easily through your mobile devices and it can be set up within minutes!

Most of the associations we work with land on a solution somewhere in the middle – where they have 1 or 2 videographers onsite to live-stream, and these videographers simply connect to a live-streaming platform. This means that live-streaming in-person events can be done way more cost-effectively than you may think. Some of our clients even have presenters located at different locations and each presenter simply clicks on a link to join the live-stream recording. It really is quite simple and budget-friendly if you use the right live-streaming platform!

If you’d like to see how our association clients accomplish this, send us a request and we’d also be happy to help you determine whether a hybrid solution is right for your association.

While planning for a hybrid event may seem like planning for two separate events, there are different strategies that associations can use to not only ensure that members’ needs are being met, but also stay within budget. In Part 3, we will share the best ways for associations to increase online attendance and generate additional non-dues revenue long after the event has ended.

Continue to Part 3

The post Proven Strategies for Associations to Run Successful Online Events: Part 2 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Live stream, on-demand video, webinar, learning management system, virtual conference, hybrid conference…and the list goes on.

It is no secret that more in-person events shifted online in 2020 than anyone could have ever predicted. Based on common principles of economics, the significant increase in demand consequently led to a significant increase in supply. With all the different online platforms available on the market, how can you ensure that your association makes the right decision?

Well, look no further. We recently interviewed our Vice President of Professional Services, Dr. Laurelle Jno Baptiste, to learn some proven strategies that associations have used to run successful online events. At Vocalmeet, Laurelle leads the implementation team that helps associations shift their courses, events and conferences from in-person to online.

Below is a snippet of Part 1 of 3, where we focus on the key factors that associations must explore before choosing an online platform.

Q: From your experience helping associations shift their events online, what would you say are the top 3 things for associations to consider when choosing the online platform to use for a specific event?

A: First things first, we advise our clients to avoid trying to mimic every aspect of their in-person events virtually. This includes, for example, following the exact schedule and timing of in-person events, assuming that all attendees want to be seen via video, or attempting to make attendees feel as if they are walking through a real exhibit hall. It’s important to understand that online events are different from in-person. When we work with clients, we need to first understand how we can help them emphasize the key benefits of their online events.

To do so, we ask our clients to explore 3 key factors that will determine the type of online platform that would best fit their goals and needs:

1. Target Audience – Who is the main audience for your event? How comfortable are they with technology? Are they typically flexible with their schedule and able to attend an event at a specified time, or do they prefer accessing content at their own convenience?
2. Level of Interactivity Required – What is the level of engagement expected from attendees? Are attendees looking to have a discussion or is it simply a presentation where they are able to ask questions? Is the content more informational and attendance is voluntary, or is it a mandatory requirement for the profession (e.g. ethics training, workplace safety training or continuing education)?
3. Resources Available – How many staff members do you have dedicated to plan and execute the online event? How much time do you have before your event? What is their comfort level with technology? Will you need additional tech support on the day of?

The answer to these questions will determine whether you offer more interactive on-demand content vs. live webinars, whether you find a platform that is browser-based and easier to use for attendees, whether the platform can track progress and attendance for continuing education purposes, whether you work with a vendor that can provide a “white-glove” service, and so on.

Q: Speaking of resources, we understand that budget is a primary concern for many associations. Could you explain how the different online solutions and the different scenarios you mentioned affect cost?

A: Yes, as a rule of thumb, the 2 key factors that impact costs when it comes to online solutions are the number of hours of content that will be offered and the number of users on the platform. Additionally, live events tend to be more costly than pre-recorded on-demand programs. This is because live events require more bandwidth and resources on the day of, including a full tech support team to manage the event and troubleshoot any issues.

That’s just a general guideline. Additionally, be very mindful of scalability and the number of users a platform can support. Some solutions are optimized for a limited number of users, and may start running into issues when you exceed that number of users. My advice would be to have these in-depth conversations with potential vendors as each vendor has different features and packages, as well as different pricing models that would impact scalability.

So, the key takeaway here? Focus on your members and the primary goals of your courses, events and conferences. Avoid trying to mimic every aspect of your in-person events virtually; your members and other attendees will only be frustrated as they compare their online experience to past in-person experiences.

Online events provide different benefits for attendees, and different online platforms serve different needs. By exploring the 3 factors outlined above – target audience, level of interactivity required and resources available – your association can choose an online platform that best fits the goal of your event. This will not only allow for a positive attendee experience, but also help your association be more cost-effective.

In Part 2 of our conversation, we will discuss the different hybrid formats and how associations can offer hybrid events without breaking the bank. And in Part 3, we will share best ways for associations to increase online attendance and sales, as well as proven selling points for sponsors.

Continue to Part 2

The post Proven Strategies for Associations to Run Successful Online Events: Part 1 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

As more associations move their events online, and members become more comfortable with attending online sessions, the next step is for associations to focus on streamlining their online content. With only a handful of online sessions, associations could perhaps get away with posting one-off events on their website, while managing registrations and payments manually. However, with more events being offered online, associations should consider having an integrated learning management platform where members can register and access both on-demand recorded sessions and live online or in-person events.

The benefits of streamlining learning content are endless for associations. In fact, having an integrated learning management platform allows associations to better engage members and increase non-dues revenue, further setting associations up for success in the long-run as demand for online events continues to increase.

1. Ensuring a seamless user experience with one platform for on-demand and live events

Choosing the right online platform that is easy to navigate is as crucial as choosing the right venue for in-person events. Streamlining content with an integrated learning management platform means having a “one-stop-shop” for all learning sessions for members. Learning sessions can be delivered via on-demand recorded content, live webinar or webcast, and in-person events.

Additionally, having one platform to host on-demand and live events eliminates any confusion for members as they do not have to navigate through various event sites and platforms. Members can self-register, purchase, and view any of the sessions offered regardless of the delivery method. By making it easy for members to keep track of all their learning records under one system, they are more likely to keep coming back for more.

2. Monetizing content over the long-term

It is no surprise that the financial benefits of in-person events are singular and often marginal, as in-person events cannot be recreated once completed. However, with online content, associations can get a longer-lived value from the investment of time and money. For example, associations can continue to promote on-demand recorded sessions for as long as the content remains relevant, and members can access these sessions at any time. That said, be cautious of not falling into the trap of undervaluing online content, as members do see the value in convenience and not having additional expenses around travel, accommodation, and taking time off work.

Think of setting up an integrated learning management system as an investment, rather than as an expense. With the right list of programs and a solid marketing strategy in place, associations can continue to increase revenue as members are provided with incentives to keep coming back to purchase and view online sessions.

3. Gaining insight through automated reporting for associations

At the end of in-person events, associations typically evaluate the performance of the event and feedback from members. The approach for online sessions should not be any different. In fact, with one platform for both on-demand and live events, associations have access to automated reporting that shows all user activities completed on the system. This includes enrollment reports, transaction reports, attendance reports for live online sessions, and user progress reports for on-demand content. As all these reports are generated under one platform, associations can conduct an easy comparison and further gain insight into which delivery method (i.e. on-demand versus live) members prefer for the different types of learning sessions.

In conclusion, as associations start to establish a long-term online learning strategy for members, the importance of having streamlined content must not be overlooked. With an integrated learning management platform that hosts both on-demand and live events, associations and their members can easily keep track of all their learning sessions under one platform regardless of the delivery method. Such a robust platform allows associations to not only improve the online user experience, but also increase non-dues revenue as members value the ease of accessing learning sessions.

The post Why Associations Should Use One Platform for On-Demand and Live Events appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

As more events are being cancelled, many associations are opting to ramp up their online continuing education sessions and conferences in order to soften the negative financial impact. Some are pre-recording their sessions and making them available on-demand, while others are choosing to live-stream on the scheduled date.

So, how does the shift towards virtual events impact sponsors and exhibitors?

Many associations rely on sponsorships to fund their in-person events and conferences. In return, sponsors and exhibitors are looking for marketing exposure and opportunities for attendees to better connect with their brand. As a result, being able to show sponsors and exhibitors the value of sponsoring virtual events is key.

Here are some of the online initiatives that you can do to continue to offer sponsors and exhibitors the benefit of exposure to members and attendees.

1. With paid on-demand events and courses, consider offering discount codes for members with the sponsor/exhibitor name.
2. Place sponsor/exhibitor logos and links to their website on the event webpage or on the online learning platform for a period of time.
3. Encourage sponsors and exhibitors to sponsor individual sessions or courses.
4. Sponsors and exhibitors can create short promotional videos to be placed on the event webpage or on the online learning platform
5. Sponsor/exhibitor videos and links can even be embedded directly into on-demand videos.
6. Consider promoting the “sponsor/exhibitor” of the week through the event webpage, social media, email campaigns, etc.
7. Ask speakers to mention the sponsors and/or exhibitors before or after their online presentation.
8. For live online events, sponsors and/or exhibitors can join for opening or closing remarks.
9. Promote sponsors and exhibitors, while enticing attendees, with sponsored raffles for gift cards and other virtual giveaways.
10. If your association has a community platform for members to communicate and network online, consider utilizing the platform to provide more exposure for sponsors and exhibitors.

There are many initiatives that are easy to implement for sponsors and exhibitors to reap the benefit of exposure online. As critical as it is for associations to engage their members virtually, it is equally important for associations to ensure sponsors and exhibitors are incentivized to continue to provide funding for virtual events.

The event delivery method may be different, but the goal remains the same. In today’s digital world, associations need to think outside the box and find new and creative ways to continue to engage members, attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

The post 10 Ways for Associations to Offer Benefits for Sponsors and Exhibitors Online appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Online payments have gone way beyond merely a modern convenience. Simple and quick online payments are a necessity for many associations. This requires getting access to some very personal and important information. With so many payments coming through online, security and privacy are of the utmost importance. Security breaches can lead to significant financial losses, both for the association and its members, compromised data, and reputation damages. Associations need to do whatever it takes to defend against these growing threats.

Thankfully, proper protection is available, and it shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve. In fact, the following steps highlight some rather simple ways to secure your online payment systems. Continue reading to learn how your association can protect your member’s information and online payments.

Understand the Risks

The best way to thwart potential online attacks is to know the risks and the different types of fraud out there. Equipped with this knowledge, association staff and administrators will be more cautious and better prepared. Since the majority of data breaches are the result of employee error, it stands to reason that a knowledgeable staff can prevent the majority of attacks. Know where attacks come from and what they commonly target.

Teach employees about social engineering attacks and phishing scams that see perpetrators posing as a person or organization to get personal information. Ensure that everyone is wary of opening email attachments, requests to enable macros, and any password or personal information requests. Get in the habit of verifying the identities of all online interlocutors, avoiding sharing any private details, and taking care of all devices, such as computers and removable drives.

Get Compliant

The first step when it comes to processing online payments is to meet the compliance standard of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI-DSS). Depending on your association’s merchant level, compliance needs are different. The basic need, however, is to have an on-site data security assessment done each year. In general, all associations should use SSL authentication on their websites.

Another major compliance issue is connected to the storage of information. Since the vast majority of credit card breaches come from small organizations, associations are advised to greatly limit the amount of data stored. Store only the information that is needed and avoid holding onto any credit card or payment information, especially CVV data. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), storing information without a legitimate purpose creates unnecessary risks. If storing sensitive information is a must, look into a third-party organization that specializes in this.

Take Precautions

Simply by executing security basics, associations can dramatically reduce their vulnerability to online payment threats. For example, have all users log out every time they step away from their devices. Ensure that all accounts and applications are password protected and that passwords are changed regularly. Try out two-factor authentication to make it harder for passwords to be cracked, especially when employees and users are accessing accounts from multiple devices.

While two-factor authentication can help prevent breaches, the best defense is limiting access altogether. Try limiting the number of user accounts held on the same machine. Similarly, limit the access that each account has, giving them only what they need to do their job. Most importantly, limit admin access or provide it only a temporary basis to avoid these rights getting into the wrong hands.

Strengthen Your Security

Online payment systems can utilize a number of security techniques and tools to defend against potential threats. In addition to the standard protective measures, like firewalls and authentications, associations may want to explore encryption and tokenization, which can render data useless for would-be cyber-attackers. Associations can also be vigilant in watching out for suspicious activity and verifying payments individually, or they can have a third-party do much of the work for them.

Associations should also look at the various other fraud management tools that exist out there. Some tools allow associations to filter out and block purchases over a certain amount, scan and block purchases from certain at-risk regions and/or flagged IP addresses, and ensure billing and shipping addresses match. By bolstering your online payment security, you can take much of the guesswork and the worrying out of online purchases.

Insure Yourself

Even after taking all the proper precautions and strengthening your association’s security, there are still risks. Cyber threats and attackers are constantly evolving and finding ways of getting around protective measures. For that reason, many associations acquire liability insurance to help offset and manage the damage and costs associated with these attacks. When getting insurance, some organizations provide risk evaluations and assessments, which may also help associations identify the areas that they are most vulnerable and help them prevent future security breaches.

Educate Your Users

While associations need to do their part to protect against online payment system attacks, users also have a role to play. Associations can provide additional value and services to their members and consumers by informing them about the risks. Try giving advice about what security measures they can take to secure themselves against fraudulent attacks. For example, users should ensure that their browsers and security software are up-to-date. They can also use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to help prevent their data from being lost or stolen.

The post How to Secure Your Online Payment Systems appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Ransomware poses serious risks to associations and its members. These attacks come from malware, infect the system, and encrypt an association’s data, blocking anyone without the encryption key from accessing their information. The perpetrators of these attacks then demand a ransom of some kind, usually a sum of money, in return for the key. Caught up in these attacks, associations stand to lose a significant amount. The threats can pose serious challenges to an association’s finances, privacy, and reputation.

However, there is good news. Associations are not helpless victims in the face of ransomware attacks. There are steps that can be taken to dramatically improve your association’s defenses against attacks and increase the chances of protecting your data and the privacy of your members. Read on to learn what your association can do to minimize the risk of ransomware.

Educate Yourself

The most effective protection plans involve a total buy-in from everyone in the organization. Associations can help create an entire culture of security by providing staff with ransomware training and basic protective measures. Employees should understand the risks of ransomware and how everyone can do their part to limit vulnerabilities. Education is key, so Inform them of the major threats, like crypto-malware, lockers, doxware, scareware, and Ransomware as a Service (RaaS).

Cybersecurity training is not a one-and-done process either. Training and education needs to be reinforced and continued on a regular basis. As ransomware and other forms of malware get more advanced, so too must the defenses. Users need to be instructed about opening emails from unknown addresses or those that ask to enable macros. Ensure all staff pay attention to the tell-tale signs, and stay vigilant in the search for suspicious activity.

Create a Plan

As part of the new security culture, associations should devise a cyber incident response plan. This is a thoughtful and well laid-out plan of what to do to prevent and respond to an attack. This plan should include all procedures relating to system protection. Ensure that every system has cybersecurity applications installed and maintained, backups are scheduled regularly to ensure data is stored in more than one place, and systems are scrubbed at regular intervals. This last step verifies that unused applications and plugins are not at risk.

Limit Your Access

It may be tempting to increase network accessibility for all staff members, but limiting access can be one of the most effective ways to reduce threats, both internal and external. While internal threats represent a smaller portion of attacks, external threats require open system access to be most effective. If systems are only able to access the applications and the network services that they require, they offer a less attractive target for perpetrators and can be contained much easier if affected.

In addition to segmenting the network, associations can restrict a user’s ability to access the network from multiple locations. This not only helps protect against threats, it makes it easier to identify suspicious behavior. Furthermore, associations can limit admin access. This power should only be given on a temporary basis if and when needed and monitored closely. In the wrong hands, admin access can prove to be very detrimental. Finally, get in the habit of shutting down file-sharing services and various applications when not in use to limit the number of places attackers can access your data.

Test the Network

Once you have a plan and system in place, be sure to test and monitor the system regularly. Associations should keep an up-to-date asset and user inventory to know what they have and who has access to it. Associations might also consider monitoring traffic on the system to try to spot any suspicious behavior before anything happens. Different varieties of member management software can scan for and flag suspicious activity to make that process easier and more effective.

Associations also need to perform a vulnerability assessment. This can be done internally or via consultants that are hired to determine any at-risk segments of the network. Files should also be evaluated frequently to spot any changes. Again, different software can be added to monitor file integrity automatically. These applications can send alerts when unknown activities or changes occur in files, which allows associations to act on attacks right away.

Act Quickly

Perhaps the most important part of an effective incident management plan is not to panic and act quickly. Under no circumstances should an association ever pay the ransom. There is no guarantee that paying up will even allow the association to regain access to their information, plus the data or the system may be compromised and paying ransoms only increase the chances that the perpetrators will continue this harmful behavior.

If a computer system gets infected, remove it immediately from the network. Report the attack to the proper authorities and begin working on finding a decryptor if possible. Online services like No More Ransom may be able to help. Then get to work on restoring the files. If your association has an external hard drive for the backed-up data, start there. Many cloud computing services allow for systems and files to be rolled back to an earlier version which may also help get back files to an unaffected state.

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