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Want to grow your association’s social network? Hubs are the key. What are they and why are they critical to nurturing your social network?
Hubs are association thought leadersI’m going to describe someone to you. They are: - active members of your association.
- widely known throughout your association
- energetic
- well-networked
- sociable
- influential in guiding association policy and direction.
Some people come to mind? You might think of them as your key influencers or thought leaders. But in social networking terms, they’re Hubs.
Hubs sow the social networking seedIf your Hubs get behind something in your association, it flies. If they don’t, it dies an ugly death. That’s why you need to use the energy and influence of your Hubs to kickstart your association's social network.
How to get your Hubs involvedRather than launch to your full membership, we recommend you do a soft launch of your social network to your key influencers or Hubs. Take these simple steps: - Upload member details of your Hubs onto issociate
- Personally introduce your Hubs to issociate
- Demonstrate its functionality
- Explain its importance to the future of the association
- Let them explore
We've found that Hubs respond particularly well to a personal demonstration of issociate. If you’d like us to do this for, don’t hesitate to contact us.
How to get your Hubs hummingHere are some simple tasks you can set your Hubs that will help them on their social networking way: - login and setup their issociate profile
- send and receive business cards
- send interesting articles for association news page
- suggest possible ideas for member polls
- start a group discussion
- moderate a group
- write an article for your newsletter about social networking
Ongoing role for your HubsHubs are critical as you move out of your soft launch phase and into full-blown operation. As the rest of your membership joins issociate, it's important that they feel immediately welcome. Your hubs can help by sending business cards and inviting them to join their networks. Of course, they can limit access to their contacts and personal details with Who Sees What.
Ask your Hubs what’s hotTo remain vibrant, social networks need to be refreshed with topical content. You should invite your Hubs to let you know the following: - What’s a hot policy topic?
- What’s controversial?
- What events should members be aware of?
- What courses or seminars would be of interest?
- Who is a member worth profiling?
Use this feedback to shape your Home Page and forum discussions.
Social Networks follow the 80:20 ruleYour social network is a digital version of your association. 80% of the activity will be generated by 20% of the members. Of course, it might not be the same 20%. But you'll still rely on a small core of energetic individuals for your vibrancy and stimulation. They're your Hubs. Harness them, and the future of your social network - and your association - is assured.
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