Beyond the AGM: How to Keep Your Members Engaged Every Day of the Year

Events, conferences, webinars - these are the cornerstones of most membership calendars. They bring members together, offer value, and create a sense of belonging within the community. But what happens after the final session ends?

Community Building

If you’ve ever seen a flurry of engagement followed by long silences, you’re not alone. It’s a familiar pattern: members actively participate during live events but then fade back into the background once the event is over. The reality? Members expect more than just great events They want consistent, meaningful connection, and that means building a community where engagement doesn’t stop after the event.

Why “Event-Only” Engagement Isn’t Enough:

Big events generate temporary buzz.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a big conference or webinar, and yes, these events can generate a lot of buzz. But if your entire engagement strategy revolves around a few events each year, it’s unlikely that members will stay connected once the lights dim and the last session ends.

Engagement drops lead to churn and missed renewal opportunities.

When engagement drops off after an event, you risk losing touch with your members. Without ongoing interaction, members might start to feel disconnected from the community, and that can lead to churn. The longer this lack of engagement continues, the harder it is to encourage members to renew their membership when the time comes.

“Always-on” connection builds loyalty and long-term value.

Rather than relying solely on large-scale events to drive engagement, high-performing membership organisations cultivate an “always-on” community. These organisations provide opportunities for ongoing connection, allowing members to interact consistently, not just during one-off events. This type of engagement fosters loyalty, strengthens relationships, and ensures that members stay invested in the long term.

What ‘Every-Day’ Engagement Looks Like:

Discussion boards around topics or regions.

One of the best ways to ensure continuous engagement is by creating dedicated spaces for members to interact around specific topics or regions. Whether through online discussion boards, topic-based channels, or regional groups, these spaces allow members to connect on a deeper level around shared interests. This way, your community isn’t just a one-time event hub - it becomes a place for ongoing discussion and interaction.

Recognition loops (e.g., spotlighting members).

Recognition is a powerful tool for keeping members engaged. When you highlight members for their contributions, achievements, or involvement, it reinforces positive behaviour and makes others feel more inclined to participate. Recognition loops can include anything from “Member of the Month” shoutouts to spotlighting members in newsletters or on social media. It’s a simple but effective way to show appreciation and keep the community spirit alive.

User-led content: polls, questions, shared experiences.

Empower your members to create and share content. User-led content such as polls, questions, and shared experiences creates a sense of ownership and inclusion. This not only keeps members active but also ensures they feel like their voices are heard within the community. Regularly encourage members to share their thoughts, resources, and experiences, and your community will thrive.

Regular touchpoints beyond email — through a community platform.

Engagement shouldn’t just be confined to email newsletters. You need a dedicated space where your members can interact with ease. This creates an environment where members can check in, share thoughts, or ask questions whenever they need to. The more you encourage organic conversations in these spaces, the stronger your community will become.

The strongest communities don’t just wait for a quarterly event to drive engagement. They build engagement into their everyday rhythm. Whether through discussions, recognition, or user-generated content, constant interaction ensures members stay connected, invested, and loyal.

That’s exactly what Indigo is built to support. Our platform provides a clean, branded space for your members to connect, collaborate, and keep showing up, day after day.

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