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Chic to be Cheap
Posted on July 30, 2010 by Sarah Gazi
Economic challenges are affecting everyone today. Families are pinching pennies, impacting everything from vacations to cable television. Businesses are cutting expenses on staff and overhead. So why would associations be any different? Sure, we’re all faced with lower registration numbers at our conferences. Most of us are also seeing a decline in memberships. But am I discouraged? Nope. Instead, I’m trendy! By embracing many current trends, I’ve been able to harness tools that help me battle an association’s decreasing budget.
I’ve taken advantage of the “Green Movement” and the “Age of Technology.” These trends tend to often go hand-in-hand; for example, technology has decreased the need for printed materials. Going digital has saved my clients thousands of dollars on copies and postage – a change I feel good about! Not only is it greener, but members receive necessary information faster, and often, more frequently as well. One of my clients has even gone from a quarterly printed newsletter to a monthly electronic version. So members are receiving more information while the association saves thousands of dollars each year.
Other areas where you can employ these trends to save money include electronic elections, eliminating bottled water at conferences (by offering sponsored reusable bottles instead), electronic conference materials for print on demand, online/emailed invoices and online board books or emailed in PDF.
Technology, however, can also be used to increase revenue. For example, associations are relying more frequently on webinars to provide educational opportunities – a valuable service for members – while increasing non-dues revenue. Because our members’ budgets have also been cut, we realize the importance of continuing to provide education that isn’t dependent on any travel (or costs associated with trips). This philosophy can also apply to virtual conferences – which I haven’t yet tried, but which certainly are intriguing!
The “Green Movement” and “Age of Technology” trends have not only helped me cut expenses and increase revenue, but I also get to look darn cool doing it. I’m not cheap, I’m trendy!
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