Types of membership models to consider for your association

Rethinking and reworking your membership levels can help you offer experiences that better align with members’ needs.

Here are some membership models to consider.

There are multiple benefits to updating your membership levels. Doing so can help ensure you’re delivering membership packages that appeal to members’ budgets, preferences, career stages, and more. Ensuring you’re meeting your members’ needs and expectations can lead to greater member acquisition, engagement, and retention.

But how can you rework your traditional membership models so that they’re better aligned with what modern members want?

Here are three examples of membership models to consider:

1. Career-stage tiers – Members often have different needs and are looking for different benefits at various stages throughout their career journeys. Think about offering membership tiers based on various career stages, such as:

• • Student or new professional tier – Price is often a big consideration for students, new graduates, and professionals who are early in their careers. This tier could provide a discounted rate for the first year of membership for this group and might offer a limited set of benefits that would appeal most to them.
  • Professional/intermediate tier – This tier might offer benefits for mid-to-late stage careerists who are looking to grow professionally through continuing education, career advancement resources, and deeper involvement in association leadership.
  • Lifetime/retiree tier – This tier could offer professionals who have a long career in your industry the opportunity to stay involved, even as they reach the end of their careers. For example, it could include ongoing access to select benefits, such as industry updates, networking events, and mentorship opportunities.

2. Corporate tier – This tier can appeal to businesses in your industry that want to encourage multiple employees to join your association. It might include group membership discounts, customized educational programs, and corporate branding opportunities.

3. Premium membership – This membership option might give members full access to member benefits, allowing members to take advantage of any or all benefits year-round.

As you update your membership models, make sure you confirm that the benefits and value of each membership package meets the needs of your members. You might accomplish this by sending a survey to, or conducting a focus group with, a select group of diverse members.

Also, be sure to use modern association management software (AMS) so that you can easily provide a more streamlined member experience. For example, YourMembership AMS by Community Brands is built for small-to-mid size associations and allows you to easily set up a variety of membership models. You can also accept multiple payment options, including installment payments and auto-renewals for membership dues. Members can easily find and select the membership level that best suits their needs, and then sign up quickly and easily online.

Learn more
Are you ready to rework your membership packages, but not sure where to start? No problem – we have a guide that can help.

Explore how to update your association’s membership offerings to stay relevant with members: Read the guide, Rethinking Your Association’s Membership Models