What are the most effective ways to get involved in industry organizations for customer retention?

Immerse yourself everywhere. Social media, recruiting events, schools, church, signage, anywhere you can. You cannot be invisible in any way.

Be mindful of the time and financial commitments required by these organizations. Some may require substantial involvement, including attending meetings, participating in events, or contributing to projects. There might be membership fees or costs associated with attending events.

Create your personal brand on LinkedIn and get involved in the conversation and in person events! Networking is extremely powerful!

Engaging with industry organizations for customer retention involves participating in relevant events, conferences, and forums where professionals gather. For example, joining a hospitality association and attending their annual conferences allows you to network with industry peers and stay updated on the latest trends. Actively participating in online communities related to your industry, such as forums or social media groups, provides an avenue for direct interaction with customers and understanding their needs. Overall, these strategies contribute to building a robust presence within the industry, fostering customer loyalty and retention.

In my experience most of the time I’ll get asked by a colleague to join or participate. But for organizations outside that aspect, I will do my research and see if it’s something I’m passionate about. There is something to be said about over-engaging where you find yourself at every marketing or social event and I’ve been caught over networking. Figure out what the end goal is and that takes planning and re-evaluating periodically what’s working and where you can improve.

Examine the organization's contributions to industry advancements and thought leadership. Check if they regularly contribute to industry standards, publish influential research, or have a history of advocating for industry issues.

This may be the most critical step of the process. The decision of which industry organization to align oneself with requires indepth research. It's got to be strategic and value based. What value will the industry organization have towards one's career and how can one's input be of value towards the organization as well. Its got to be a win - win otherwise it wont be result oriented.

Social media connections can be powerful. They bring like-minds together and reflect the values of your company. However, understanding the risk vs. reward in these relationships is important. Consider three key questions before aligning with a group or individual: 1. Is the person/organization political in nature or vocal about political views? 2. Is there a religious affiliation and is the person/organization open and vocal about it? 3. By aligning with the person/organization, are you certain that doing so will not alienate your core customer base (i.e. negatively impact revenue)? It may not matter to you/your organization if the answer to any, or all three, is 'yes' but it is important to know the answers before you align with them.

Research industry organizations through platforms like LinkedIn or Meetup, and seek recommendations from colleagues or industry publications. Explore events and memberships, scrutinizing mission, values, and benefits to align with your aspirations and ensure a meaningful connection to your field.

If your product is good , your product will sell and will talk, no need more work. So we have to produce something organic , healthy.

Consider the organization's networking strength and level of community engagement. A strong and interactive community offers greater opportunities for meaningful connections, peer-to-peer learning, and staying updated with industry trends.

The depth of what you can learn and contribute (in any circumstances) is limitless. However, are you trying to be heard or are you trying to elevate the collective. There is a profound difference between the two.

The local area is one of the best ways to be involved. The community has connections far outside the community and will connect you once you show the quality of your organization on the local level

Being part of industry organizations extends beyond fees – it's about active engagement and relationship-building. Attend events, join discussions, and offer insights to showcase your professionalism and create enduring connections. Whether participating in webinars, online forums, or reaching out individually, your involvement not only demonstrates value but also establishes credibility within the community.

Don't just go around claiming you are the best in what you do, show proofs. Let your expertise speaks for itself, this allow is more captivating than boasting about what you can do and how well you can do it.

Someone’s true intentions are plainly visible in their speech and writing. Leaders lead by elevating others before themselves. Those who do it well have a currency measured far greater than their individual pursuits.

This can be the first strategy to know how your customer, based on the products and services rendered, and then plan for customer retention by adjusting the strategies

Measure your own performance based on the performance of ones you lead. If someone is underachieving then there is your next opportunity to grow your ability.

Engage with industry events, conferences, and seminars to network, learn, and share insights on customer retention strategies. Establish credibility by contributing thought leadership content through articles, webinars, or speaking engagements within these organizations. Join industry-specific online forums and groups to collaborate, gather insights, and showcase dedication to enhancing customer retention.

Networking boosts insights and connections, but here's where I differ: not every golden nugget comes from structured events. Once, at a casual industry coffee meet, a heartfelt conversation unveiled a client's unmet needs. Disagreeing with the norm, informal connections often birth genuine solutions. It's about emotions and understanding beyond formalities. So, while organized events matter, the magic often happens in unplanned moments. Embrace the unexpected connections; that's where loyalty blossoms.

Look in the mirror first. “Seek first to understand than to be understood.” Ask yourself, what am I doing (or not) that can help overcome a challenge or contribute to a solution before challenging others on the same topic.