Want to know how to ensure successful membership applications and membership renewals? We've pulled together a list of things you should consider to improve both application and renewal rates in your membership organisation.

1. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
& MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
T I P S & A D V I C E O N E N S U R I N G S U C C E S S

2. You must have an efficient
application process for all your
different member types:
Free Web
Membership
Student
Membership
Professional
Membership
Retired/
Alumni
Membership
Members will join at different stages of their membership lifecycle

3. Give your members different ways to apply
Online Paper Forms Telephone

4. Make it easy and secure to pay for
membership
Direct Debit
Credit/Debit
Card Online
Invoice

5. Make it easy for members to track their
application progress
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
MEMBER
SELF
SERVICE
PORTAL

6. To Recap…
Think about
different
member types
Give them
different ways
to apply
Give them
different ways
to pay securely
Make it easy for
them to track
their progress
1 32 4

7. Factors affecting successful renewals:
The 2012-13 Membership Research Report showed that membership organisations
were more likely to enjoy a high retention of members when the renewal programme
was well structured and, if possible, when automatic renewals were enabled.
Make sure there is plenty of warning for your
members, and a well-structured reminder
schedule to ensure they are well prepared for
their renewal date.
Communication Frequency

8. Communicate with members via a format
they’ve requested. This could be through email
newsletters, telephone calls, social media, your
website or letters.
Communication Methods
Factors affecting successful renewals:

9. Let your members know what value they’ve
gained from their membership that year. A
Benefits Statement is extremely effective at
reminding members why they should renew.
Communicating Value
Factors affecting successful renewals:

10. Let your members know what value they’ve
gained from their membership that year. A
Benefits Statement is extremely effective at
reminding members why they should renew.
Communicating Value
Make sure you’ve actually delivered
on the benefits you’ve promised!
Factors affecting successful renewals:

11. Consider using early-bird renewal offers.
Also consider offer web based renewal
packages and payment by instalments, or even
consider retaining credit card details for
automatic renewal each year to take the hassle
out of membership completely.
Make is easy and
attractive to renew
Factors affecting successful renewals:

12. Analyse data from previous years to understand
who is likely to renew and ensure you focus your
efforts on them. Additionally you can also focus
efforts on your most valuable members to gain
the most rewards.
Understand who will and
who won’t renew
Factors affecting successful renewals:

13. To Recap…
Communication
frequency
Communicate
value
Understand
where to focus
your efforts
Communication
methods
1 53
2
Make it easy
and attractive
to renew
4

14. Silverbear Membership is the UK’s leading membership management solution,
uniquely awarded in the Professional Membership, Trade Unions, Arts & Heritage,
Charities, Regulators and Regulatory Bodies and all NFP sectors with Microsoft’s
“Certified for Microsoft Dynamics” (CFMD) accreditation.
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01483 409 409 | hello@silverbear.com | www.silverbear.co.uk