Do you really need to approve them?

Do you really need to approve them?

I often joke that the very best (because it's simple and simple is best) business rule for membership is "Anyone with a pulse and a credit card can join." In other words, other than being able to pay, there are no other requirements for membership.

But very often I encounter associations who have an "approval process" for membership. That is, one can apply for membership but staff (or a committee) must approve that membership. When I dig deeper, I find that the vast majority of members are actually being approved, because in most cases, the applicants are self-selecting; that is, they know they are qualified for membership so they apply.

The end result is that this approval process only serves to keep new members from getting their membership instantaneously. As a result, new members can't get access to member privileges until approval comes, whether that's hours, days, or weeks later. (I worked with one association where membership approval could take up to six weeks, and they approved 99% of all applicants!)

So take a look at your membership join rules. Are you going through an approval process that is truly unnecessary? Don't make your new members jump through hoops. Take their name, take their money, and let them start enjoying member benefits now!

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Start with the end in mind

January 18, 2023

Start with the end in mind Like so many, I probably first heard the phrase …

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It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…

January 11, 2023

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… One of the truisms of data management is that …

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It’s ALWAYS about expectations

January 4, 2023

It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase …

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It’s hard to get UNangry

December 14, 2022

It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing …

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Some history IS important!

December 7, 2022

Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one …

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“Many mickles make a muckle.”

November 30, 2022

“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this …

“Many mickles make a muckle.” Read More »

It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage

November 16, 2022

It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS …

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Tell them why you want the data

November 9, 2022

Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these …

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Don’t get hung up on something minor

November 2, 2022

Don’t get hung up on something minor I’m a problem solver. I love to solve …

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Be flexible, especially for unusual requests

October 26, 2022

Be flexible, especially for unusual requests One of the great benefits of off-the-shelf association management software (AMS) …

Be flexible, especially for unusual requests Read More »

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