{"id":68384,"date":"2023-09-26T12:35:51","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T16:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eventmobi.com\/?p=68384"},"modified":"2023-10-06T09:15:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T13:15:42","slug":"membership-directory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eventmobi.com\/blog\/membership-directory\/","title":{"rendered":"Membership Directory: Why Your Organization Needs One (and How to Create Yours!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A membership directory is the #1 way to accomplish what your association does best: keep your members connected to one another and you<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll touch on what a member directory is, how it can help your association, what type of information should you include in a membership directory, how you can create one, and several platform options for you to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Member Directory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A member directory, or member list, is a list of all members of your organization. Depending on how your organization sets up membership, you can allow free access to your member directory or gate it behind a paywall (or a members-only portal). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your association\u2019s membership listing is a centralized resource of contact information and membership status. Members can refer to these membership lists when seeking to connect with others within the same organization or community, and it can also be used by those outside your organization to find a professional or contact for other reasons (jobs, events, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member directories come in multiple formats, and we\u2019ll discuss that in a moment! Some popular options include putting up your membership directory on your website\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2026or hosting it via a mobile app:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the Purpose of a Membership Directory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Membership directories help your organization in multiple ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Providing networking opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, members join a community or association for the networking opportunities. In fact, the 2023 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report<\/a> states that 64% of associations believe members join to network with others in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an association directory, your members can easily find and connect with others. Obviously, this is really useful for networking for business, social events, and driving member engagement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing contact information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your member directory is, at its core, a list of members. No matter what type it is, your membership directory makes it easy for members to find others\u2019 contact info, like phone numbers, email addresses, or social media accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boosting online visibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did your organization record an increase in new member acquisitions in the past year? According to the 2023 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report<\/a>, 50% of associations reported an increase in new member acquisitions, up from 44% in the 2022 report!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all those new members, you need a way to centralize your membership\u2019s success and make it a part of your association marketing strategy<\/a>. Your membership directory can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n