New Member Orientation Doesn’t Work
Do you remember the first session your REALTOR® Association made you attend?
Mine lasted 3 hours and afterward I was left wondering where I could go to find more information and resources on how I can:
- Sell more homes
- Find out the next classes
- Follow a track of successful agents
The 3 hours definitely isn’t enough and the communication for new agents is more important for their future success than the communication for agents who have been in the business for 3 or more years.
I’m proposing a whole new solution that will keep agent interested, motivated, and active in the REALTOR® Association from the beginning.
Everyone All Aboard!
Transition Member Orientation to Onboarding
Restructure your new member orientation into onboarding, an ongoing communication campaign that encourages participation, education, and consistent evaluation of member services. Spread the inventory of your member benefits, existing resources, and value proposition over a year using a well-defined system of checklists and communication points of contact in a variety of formats. New members will become engaged and integrated into association activities as a result of your participation in this program.
REALTOR Association Executives will be able to implement a communication campaign strategy that gets new members informed and involved using the latest technology.
Here are the steps:
- Define the message
- Selecting the right team and technology
- Implementation
Defining the Message
- Crystallize the member value proposition from the strategic goals and segment into digestible pieces for members to receive using a variety of media sources.
- Examine existing mission statements, strategic goals and resources that appear in new member orientation programs.
- Segment the messages into consumable bytes of pictures, videos, PowerPoint presentations, and existing online resources.
Create multiple forms of content to be shared using low to no cost delivery systems.
Selecting the Team and Technology
Choose the right communication tools, supporting mentors, and social networks to create an active REALTOR® community online and offline.
- Differentiate between effective/ineffective email marketing software campaigns.
- Select the individuals to participate and delegate who is responsible for participating in onboarding activities.
- Demonstrate effective communication strategies to interact with new members face-to-face and using online communities.
Implementation
Implement an annual calendar of activities of actionable items for new members, supporting association staff members, and volunteer leaders.
- Create benchmarks and goal champions to ensure results of effective onboarding strategy.
- Collect feedback during multiple points of contact to ensure quality control of onboarding activities.
- Calculate the return on investment of onboarding.
You may still have the 3 hour New Member Orientation class as usual but it will also follow a series of events that make sure the new member becomes integrated into the REALTOR® community.
If you are interested in test-piloting this program for your REALTOR® Association please contact me to be considered. Only a few will be chosen based on first come first serve basis, availability of staff members, and technology resources.
Related
Doug,I am interested in talking to you about our Board participating in the test pilot. We need a total makeover! I heard you in Quebec and would love to implement your ideas at our Board.Debbie Dart, AEWest Georgia Board of Realtors770-949-9966Debbie@westgabaord.org
Doug,
I am interested in talking to you about our Board participating in the test pilot. We need a total makeover! I heard you in Quebec and would love to implement your ideas at our Board.
Debbie Dart, AE
West Georgia Board of Realtors
770-949-9966
Debbie@westgabaord.org
Doug,I have heard you speak and am interested in improving communications with our new members after orientation is over.Fran CormierGreater Fairfield Board of REALTORS203-255-0497gfbor@fairfieldboardrealtors.com
Doug,
I have heard you speak and am interested in improving communications with our new members after orientation is over.
Fran Cormier
Greater Fairfield Board of REALTORS
203-255-0497
gfbor@fairfieldboardrealtors.com
Debbie, thanks for your interest in participating in the program. Most associations need a total makeover because they have been doing the same things for many years which takes 10x as much time than newer models that offer more value.Please follow the blog posts for REALTOR Associations as new segments of the program will be released over the next few months. Only two associations were selected for the test pilot program because they were the first to respond to the initial offering and have dedicated themselves to put in the work needed to implement the program. Your patience in waiting for the program launch is much appreciated so when it is ready you will be able to use all resources for free.
Debbie, thanks for your interest in participating in the program. Most associations need a total makeover because they have been doing the same things for many years which takes 10x as much time than newer models that offer more value.
Please follow the blog posts for REALTOR Associations as new segments of the program will be released over the next few months. Only two associations were selected for the test pilot program because they were the first to respond to the initial offering and have dedicated themselves to put in the work needed to implement the program.
Your patience in waiting for the program launch is much appreciated so when it is ready you will be able to use all resources for free.
Hi Fran, thanks so much for your interest. Like I said to Debbie this program will be available for free after the test pilot program is over. The official launch will take place prior to AEI 2011 in Dallas whether I am selected for the agenda or not. Have a great week!
Hi Fran, thanks so much for your interest. Like I said to Debbie this program will be available for free after the test pilot program is over. The official launch will take place prior to AEI 2011 in Dallas whether I am selected for the agenda or not. Have a great week!