What Software do Associations Need? 5 Platforms to Consider

Efficient associations have more time in their days, allowing staff to focus on member engagement, growth planning, and program development. But to reduce laborious processes, you need software that can automate tasks, provide new engagement opportunities, and streamline day-to-day management.

Today’s associations have a wide range of tools to choose from, which may leave some organizations wondering what tools they actually need.

Whether your goal is to acquire new members, engage your current base, or improve behind-the-scenes efficiency, there is likely a platform your organization could benefit from. In this guide, we’ll explore five popular types of software solutions for associations.

1. Association Management Software

Your association management software (AMS) is the heart of your organization’s tech stack. This tool is a centralized platform where your team performs the day-to-day work that keeps your association running, from reaching out to members to collecting dues to maintaining your website.

re:Charity’s guide to association management software breaks down a few key features to look for in an AMS:

• Membership database. Your membership database stores all of your information on individual members, allowing you to communicate with them, track their engagement, manage their membership package, and build a relationship with them.
• Community engagement tools. Some AMSs offer limited community engagement features, like event hosting tools and discussion forums.
• Email marketing tools. Stay in touch with members by using your AMS to create mailing lists and send out email communications.
• Financial management. One of your AMS’s most important functions is to collect dues payments and provide accurate payment records.
• Reporting and analytics. Assess your association’s member engagement, event attendance, and annual finances with customizable reports.
• Website management. Some AMSs provide website-building tools, allowing you to launch and manage a website from one centralized platform.
• Integrations. Ensure your AMS can connect to the rest of your association’s technology by investing in a tool with extensive integration options, allowing you to easily plug in and start using a range of software to fulfill your association’s mission.

AMSs share many features with CRMs, but there are a few key differences. For instance, CRMs generally focus on building a sales pipeline and managing sales leads, whereas AMSs prioritize community management and engagement features. Essentially, the difference is in the name: customer relationship management platforms specialize in managing individual relationships, whereas association management software enables associations to manage day-to-day functions.

2. Learning Management System

If your association offers educational courses, then a learning management system (LMS) is a must. LMSs allow associations to host and present educational content to members online, allowing them to earn the credentials and certifications they need to advance their careers.

When it comes to LMSs, consider platforms with these top features:

• Live session hosting. While many members like to take educational courses on their own time, others seek to enhance the learning experience through community. Your LMS should enable livestreamed workshops, allowing members to connect with each other via virtual breakout rooms.
• Course format support. What types of content can your LMS support? Some provide specialized tools for building courses, such as designing microcourses or adding attention checks.
• AI features. AI is changing how LMSs operate, advancing these tools with greater personalization and automation capabilities. For instance, AI can analyze what courses a member has taken in order to recommend related educational content.

Ensure your LMS integrates with your AMS. This enables you to track what courses members are taking and where they are in their credential programs from one centralized database.

3. Member Engagement Platform

Keeping your members engaged should be one of your association’s top priorities. After all, engaged members are far more likely to renew their memberships, participate in your community, and promote your association to others.

Member engagement platforms provide features that enable you to connect with your community online, deliver them valuable content, and provide unique features they can engage with.

However, when researching member engagement platforms, be careful not to confuse these tools with member management solutions. Tradewing’s guide to member engagement platforms explains the difference between these two types of tools: “Member management tools allow associations to keep their members organized by providing features for dues collection and association-to-member communication. In contrast, member engagement platforms have features like a community platform and member-to-member communication.”

Essentially, your AMS should come with a range of member management features to provide a consistent member experience, while your member engagement software will likely be a separate platform. With your member engagement solution, you can host events, create discussion forums, and even launch a members-only microsite where they can network and post content.

4. Event Management Software

Events are likely one of your association’s most valuable offerings, and the right tools can help you execute these activities with ease. Look for event management software designed specifically for associations. These tools offer features like:

• Registration and ticketing. Create a seamless registration process so attendees can quickly sign up and gain access to your event. Additionally, if your event management software is integrated with your AMS, you can keep records of who is attending which events.
• Vendor and sponsor features. Improve your events for both members and vendors with management features that allow sponsors and vendors to increase their visibility, connect with interested attendees, and keep their event-day operations organized.
• Livestreaming capabilities. For online events, ensure your event management software allows you to connect with members even when they’re attending from home. For instance, look for platforms with engagement tools, like a live chat, polls and surveys, and breakout session features.

Your software should also streamline your event planning process. Create schedules, assign tasks, and oversee all of your activities on event day to ensure everything runs smoothly.

5. Communication Tools

To maintain member engagement, you need to stay in touch with them. While your AMS and member engagement software should have some communication components, dedicated communication platforms for email, text message, and direct mail may also be useful.

Specialized platforms can significantly enhance your outreach abilities by enabling you to design message templates, create segmented mailing lists, schedule messages, and build content calendars.

Whatever platform you invest in, ensure it integrates with the rest of your software. For instance, you might create a message template designed to pull data stored in your AMS to personalize each message. Or, you could leverage your email platform to highlight recent goings-on in your online community.

Association software has developed rapidly over the past few years, and the right tools for your organization will depend on your needs and budget. Assess your organization’s priorities—whether they’re hosting memorable events, providing educational offerings, or maintaining consistent communication—Contact AMR today so we can help you find the software that elevates your association’s member engagement experience and behind-the-scenes operations.