Association Pricing Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Products

Introducing new products or services is one of the most pivotal strategies for associations looking to enhance member value and stay competitive. Whether it's a digital learning module, an event, or a new membership tier, successfully pricing these products is essential. The goal is to reflect the product's true value while aligning with organizational objectives and meeting the expectations of your members.

But how do you develop a pricing strategy that achieves these goals? According to Dr. Michael Tatonetti, a Certified Association Executive and Certified Pricing Professional, the key to success lies in a structured, six-step pricing process that ensures your new offerings resonate with both your organization and its members.

Step 1: Kick-Off Meeting

Before diving into pricing, it's crucial to align your team and establish a clear roadmap. "The success of any pricing initiative begins with collaboration" says Dr. Tatonetti. In the kick-off meeting, all relevant stakeholders should come together to:

• Define Success Metrics: What are you trying to achieve with this pricing strategy? Whether it's increasing revenue, expanding membership, or improving engagement, clear objectives are necessary.
• Set Timelines: Agree on realistic deadlines for each phase of the pricing project to maintain momentum.
• Identify Data Requirements: What data will guide your decisions? Customer feedback, engagement metrics, and financial performance indicators are key to forming a clear pricing model.
• Plan Communication Strategies: Develop a strategy to keep everyone informed throughout the process, ensuring transparency and collaboration.

Step 2: Data Analysis

The next step is gathering and analyzing data—both internal and external—to understand the current market landscape. This includes a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), which can provide valuable insights into how your product fits into the competitive landscape.

Dr. Tatonetti suggests focusing on both quantitative and qualitative data: "It's not just about numbers; it's also about understanding your customers' perceptions and expectations."

Step 3: Value Analysis

A major element of pricing new products is understanding the value your target audience places on them. "It's crucial to ask your customers directly—through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews—to get a sense of what they think the product is worth," Dr. Tatonetti advises.

This qualitative data complements the quantitative data you’ve already collected, offering a more complete picture of what your members value and how much they’re willing to pay for it. Are they looking for more premium features or would they prefer a more affordable version of the product? Their responses will be key in shaping your pricing decisions.

Step 4: Pricing Strategy Development

With your data in hand, it’s time to develop a pricing strategy that aligns with both your organizational goals and the expectations of your customers. Dr. Tatonetti highlights several strategies that may be suitable, depending on your product and audience:

• Cost-Plus Pricing: This model adds a standard markup to the cost of producing the product. It's an easy-to-implement method, but it doesn't always account for perceived value.
• Value-Based Pricing: In this strategy, you set prices based on how much value the customer perceives the product to have. If members perceive high value, this could justify a higher price point.
• Competitive Analysis: By examining what competitors are charging for similar products, you can position your offering strategically in the market to ensure it is competitive but also reflective of your product’s value.

Step 5: Implementation Planning

Once you’ve set your pricing strategy, it’s time to implement it. This requires careful planning to ensure that the transition is seamless and that all stakeholders are aligned:

• Internal Training: Your team must fully understand the new pricing structure and the reasoning behind it. "Without proper training, your staff might struggle to communicate the new pricing to members," Dr. Tatonetti warns.
• Marketing Communication: Craft clear messaging that conveys the value and benefits of the new pricing to your members. Effective communication is essential to ensure that members understand the reasoning behind price changes.
• Operational Adjustments: Update systems and processes to accommodate the new pricing model. From website changes to billing systems, smooth operational transitions are necessary for a successful launch.

Step 6: Monitoring and Adjustment

Once the new pricing strategy is live, the work isn’t over. Dr. Tatonetti emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring: "You need to track how your pricing is performing and be ready to make adjustments based on real-world data."

Some key metrics to monitor include:

• Sales Volume: Are you seeing the volume of sales you anticipated? A decline may indicate that the price is too high, while an increase could suggest that customers perceive great value.
• Revenue Growth: Measure the financial impact of the new pricing. Are you achieving your revenue goals?
• Customer Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback to identify any concerns or potential areas for improvement. "Listening to your customers is crucial for long-term success," Dr. Tatonetti adds.

Be prepared to make iterative adjustments as needed. Pricing isn't static, and a willingness to adapt will help ensure the continued success of your product.

Conclusion

Establishing an effective pricing strategy for new products is a complex but necessary task for associations seeking to maintain competitiveness and provide value to their members. By following Dr. Tatonetti’s six-step process—kicking off with a collaborative meeting, analyzing data, evaluating value, developing the strategy, implementing it, and continuously monitoring and adjusting—you can ensure that your pricing decisions are both informed and strategic.

“The key to success is not only developing a pricing strategy that reflects your organizational goals but also one that aligns with the value your members expect," says Dr. Tatonetti. By engaging in continuous improvement and staying responsive to market changes, your association can deliver value and ensure the long-term success of your new products.

This structured approach to pricing will not only help your association stay competitive but also build stronger relationships with your members, fostering loyalty and engagement for years to come.