In today’s digital-first world, your association's ability to connect with members virtually isn't just a convenience—it's a necessity. With U.S. adults spending an average of 485 minutes engaging with digital media, your members are already online. The opportunity to meet them where they are has never been greater.
Virtual and hybrid experiences have become the norm, not the exception. For associations, this shift opens the door to deeper engagement, more inclusive programming, and long-term member satisfaction—if done right.
So, how do you effectively engage association members virtually? Below, we explore five strategies that help you create personalized, valuable virtual experiences that keep members coming back.
1. Understand What Your Members Truly Value
Your members didn’t join your association by accident—they joined to gain something meaningful. According to Marketing General’s Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report, the top reasons members join include:
- Networking with peers
- Access to continuing education and professional development
- Exposure to industry-specific knowledge and best practices
But it’s not enough to guess what your members want—you need to ask.
Here’s how to better understand your members’ needs:
- Onboarding Surveys: Ask new members about their professional goals, preferred content formats, and specific areas of interest.
- Ongoing Feedback: Send short, regular pulse surveys to assess satisfaction and content effectiveness.
- LMS Analytics: Use the data in your learning management system to see what content members interact with most—what they’re watching, skipping, or rewatching.
Solutions like Elevate LMS by Cadmium empower you to not only collect feedback but also act on it by offering targeted, data-driven content experiences.
2. Build a Member-Focused E-Learning Program
One of the most effective ways to drive virtual engagement is through online learning. When done right, your e-learning offerings do more than educate—they connect, motivate, and retain.
Using your LMS, you can offer:
- Live and on-demand webinars
- Streaming conferences or symposiums
- Microlearning videos or tutorials
- Certificate and CE programs
This flexibility allows members to learn on their own schedule, from any location, in a way that aligns with their goals.
Pro tip:
Make your courses easily searchable and mobile-friendly, and provide certificates or CE credits when possible. Members will keep coming back if your content helps them grow professionally.
3. Optimize Your Website for Continuous Engagement
Think of your association’s website as your digital headquarters. It should be:
- Intuitive: Easy to navigate across devices
- Dynamic: Frequently updated with new content
- Member-Centric: Designed around member interests and priorities
Your members should be able to log in, find upcoming events, access on-demand learning, and view news or updates tailored to their profile. Consider integrating:
- Personalized dashboards
- Event calendars
- Featured content based on interest areas
- Quick links to discussion forums or social channels
Your LMS can often be embedded directly into your website experience, creating a seamless environment where members engage without unnecessary clicks or friction.
4. Create an Online Community That Actually Feels Like One
People join associations for connection. And while in-person networking is powerful, virtual communities can be just as engaging—when thoughtfully designed.
Here’s how to build a thriving online community:
- Host interactive forums on your LMS where members can ask questions, share ideas, and discuss industry trends.
- Create a member directory with bios, professional interests, and contact options.
- Leverage social media groups (private LinkedIn or Facebook groups work well) where members can connect casually.
Encourage peer-led content, like member-hosted webinars or guest blog posts. When members are invited to contribute, they feel like stakeholders—not just spectators.
And remember: engagement is a two-way street. Assign moderators or staff to prompt conversation, answer questions, and spotlight active contributors.
5. Use Social Media to Extend Your Reach
Your members are already spending over two hours a day on social media—so why not meet them there?
Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to:
- Share bite-sized educational content
- Promote upcoming virtual events
- Spotlight member achievements
- Spark conversations around current industry topics
You can even host live Q&As or “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) sessions with subject matter experts to build buzz around your association’s value.
Quick win:
Create a unique hashtag for your association’s campaigns or events. It helps members find each other, and gives you a way to track user-generated content and engagement.
Embed your social feeds on your website and LMS dashboard to show real-time activity and drive further connection.
Final Thoughts: Virtual Engagement Is Here to Stay
As our professional and personal lives continue to shift online, associations must evolve to keep pace with members’ expectations. Virtual engagement isn't just a pandemic-era workaround—it’s a strategic pillar for long-term member retention and satisfaction.
With the right digital tools and strategies in place, your association can:
- Deliver personalized learning at scale
- Foster deeper connections between members
- Extend your reach beyond geographical borders
- Provide year-round value through ongoing digital engagement
At Cadmium, we make it easy to build all of this with Elevate LMS—a powerful platform designed specifically for associations and continuing education professionals. From virtual events to e-learning to community building, we help you deliver content that resonates.
Ready to transform your virtual member engagement strategy? Talk to our team today and see what Elevate can do for you.
