A clear member communications plan is one of the most effective ways associations can increase engagement and retention. Without one, new members may join but quickly lose interest if they don’t hear from you at the right times or through the right channels.
Marketing General reports that 90% of associations with a documented communications strategy report higher member satisfaction. Similarly, a Salesforce study notes that 70% of members expect personalized communication as part of their onboarding process. These numbers highlight how critical a structured plan is for associations that want to grow and retain their base.
In this article, we’ll outline how to build and execute a strong plan by breaking it into practical components: email sequences, social updates, and welcome cadences. You’ll also see specific member communications plan examples to copy and adapt for your association.
If you’re new to Glue Up, book a quick demo of our email marketing software. Explore features built for associations, including:
Automated email campaigns for onboarding, renewals, and event reminders
Customizable templates and blueprints to keep communications consistent
Subscription lists and segmentation for targeting specific member groups
AI Copilot to help draft, personalize, and optimize communications faster
Performance tracking and reporting to measure opens, clicks, and engagement
Integrated CRM and membership database so emails always connect with accurate member records
Key Takaeways
A member communications plan creates structure and consistency across welcome, onboarding, engagement, and renewal.
Welcome sequences should go beyond a single email, with multiple touchpoints in the first week.
Onboarding cadences highlight value early with resources, event invites, and quick feedback surveys.
Engagement requires a steady rhythm of newsletters, event promotions, and social updates.
Measuring success means tracking open rates, event participation, survey responses, and renewal rates—all of which Glue Up helps you monitor in one platform.
What Is a Member Communications Plan?
A member communications plan is a structured framework that defines how your association engages with members throughout their journey—from the first welcome email to renewal reminders and community updates. Unlike ad-hoc messaging, a plan ensures consistency, timing, and alignment with your broader marketing and communication plan.
In practice, this means deciding:
What to say (the message and value members should receive)
When to say it (touchpoints during onboarding, events, renewals, or lapsed memberships)
Where to say it (channels such as email, social media, or your member portal)
For example, a strong plan turns the member onboarding process into a series of coordinated messages: a welcome email on day one, a reminder to complete their profile by week one, and an invite to their first event within the first month. Without this structure, communication risks becoming inconsistent, and members may disengage early.
At its core, a communications plan isn’t just about sending information—it’s about building trust and demonstrating value at every membership stage.
Why Associations Need a Member Communications Plan
As an association leader, you can’t afford inconsistent communication. Members expect timely updates, clear value, and engagement that feels personal. Without a plan, onboarding gets fragmented, renewal reminders arrive late, and event promotions miss the mark.
Research confirms this: 70% of members are more likely to renew if they feel their organization communicates regularly and clearly.
A communications plan gives you the structure to solve both challenges—building early trust and sustaining engagement year-round. But to make it actionable, you need a framework that spells out what messages to send, when to send them, and which channels to use.
That’s where the communication framework and onboarding touchpoints come in.
Building a Communication Framework and Onboarding Touchpoints
Your communications plan should follow the rhythm of a member’s first year—welcome, onboarding, engagement, and renewal. At each stage, think about what your members need to hear from you and when they need to hear it. A clear cadence keeps members connected instead of drifting away.
Welcome Sequences
The welcome stage sets the tone. If all you send is a single “thank you for joining” email, you’re missing an opportunity. Instead, design a short sequence that builds momentum:
Day 1: Send a personalized welcome email with portal login details, a short note from leadership, and a prompt to update their profile.
Day 3: Follow up with a digital “getting started” guide linking to community groups, your first upcoming event, or a recorded training session.
Day 7: Introduce them to peers with a tagged mention in your community platform or a quick social update.
How Glue Up Helps: With Glue Up, you don’t have to send these messages manually. You can use automated email workflows to trigger them the moment someone joins. You can even connect emails to your community module, so members are welcomed in their inbox and your private network simultaneously.
Onboarding Cadences
Onboarding is where you prove the value of membership early. Members who don’t see benefits in the first month are less likely to stay. That’s why you should build a 30–60 day cadence:
Week 2: Send an email highlighting member-only resources like reports or on-demand webinar recordings.
Week 3: Invite them to their first networking event, training session, or chapter meeting.
Week 4: Ask for feedback via a quick survey email: “What do you want to get from your membership?”
How Glue Up Helps: Glue Up makes this easier with Smart Lists. You can target new members with the right resources and capture survey responses directly in the CRM, so future emails feel more personal.
Engagement Touchpoints
After onboarding, your goal shifts to keeping members active. If you go quiet, they will too. A strong plan keeps communication steady:
Monthly newsletters with upcoming events, community highlights, and member stories.
Targeted event invitations that match interests or location.
Automated reminders so registered members don’t forget live sessions.
Social updates that mirror email messages and keep your association visible outside the inbox.
How Glue Up Helps: The event management software ties invitations, registrations, and reminders into one process. Attendance data flows back into the CRM automatically, giving you a real-time picture of member engagement.
Renewal Reminders
Renewals aren’t just about sending an invoice. They’re about reminding members why staying matters. A simple sequence makes it easier:
60 days before expiration: Email a reminder highlighting benefits they’ve received in the past year.
30 days before expiration: Send a personalized message from staff or chapter leaders with a renewal link.
Final week: Use an automated email and a phone call for high-value members.
How Glue Up Helps: With Glue Up’s finance module, you can connect invoices directly to communications. Members renew with one click, and your team sees who’s paid—and who hasn’t—in real time.
Member Communications Plan Examples to Copy
Here are ready-to-use email templates with placeholders you can adapt directly for your association:
Example 1: New Member Welcome Sequence
Day 1 – Welcome Email
Subject: Welcome to [Association Name]! Here’s how to get started
Hi [First Name],
We’re excited to welcome you to [Association Name]. As a member, you can now access exclusive resources, upcoming events, and a community of professionals like you.
Here’s your member portal login: [Portal Link]
Start by updating your profile so others can connect with you: [Profile Link]
We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
Warm regards,
[Executive Director Name]
Day 3 – Onboarding Guide
Subject: Your guide to making the most of your membership
Hi [First Name],
Now that you’ve joined, here are 3 ways to start taking advantage of your membership today:
Join your local chapter or interest group: [Group Link]
Register for an upcoming event: [Event Link]
Explore our resource library: [Library Link]
If you need help, our team is just an email away at [Support Email].
All the best,
[Membership Team]
Day 7 – Social / Community Introduction
Subject: Meet other members like you
Hi [First Name],
We’ve just introduced you to our online community—come say hello!
👉 [Community Link]
This is a great place to connect with peers, share knowledge, and find new opportunities.
See you there,
[Community Manager]
Note: To avoid scattering member conversations across emails, LinkedIn groups, and other platforms, consider using our community management software. It centralizes discussions, events, and updates in one place so members never feel disconnected. Watch the video to learn more and book a quick demo to see it in action:
Example 2: 30-Day Onboarding Cadence
Week 2 – Member Benefits
Subject: Here’s what you get as a member of [Association Name]
Hi [First Name],
Did you know your membership gives you access to:
Member-only webinars and training sessions
Discounts on events and conferences
A private community where you can network anytime
Start exploring today: [Benefits Page Link]
Cheers,
[Membership Team]
Week 3 – Event Invite
Subject: Join us for your first member event
Hi [First Name],
We’d love to see you at [Event Name] on [Date]. It’s a great chance to meet other members and learn something new.
Reserve your spot here: [Event Registration Link]
Best,
[Event Coordinator]
Week 4 – Quick Survey
Subject: We’d love your feedback, [First Name]
Hi [First Name],
We want to make your membership as valuable as possible. What are your top goals this year?
👉 Take this 2-minute survey: [Survey Link]
Your input helps us plan events, resources, and networking opportunities that matter to you.
Thanks,
[Association Name] Team
Example 3: Renewal Reminder Flow
60 Days Before Expiration
Subject: Don’t miss out on another great year
Hi [First Name],
Your membership with [Association Name] expires on [Renewal Date]. Here’s what you’ve gained this past year:
[#] Events attended
[#] Resources accessed
[#] Connections made
Renew today to keep your access: [Renewal Link]
Thank you for being part of our community,
[Membership Director]
30 Days Before Expiration
Subject: It’s time to renew your membership
Hi [First Name],
We’d love for you to continue your membership with [Association Name].
Renew today and stay connected with:
Professional development opportunities
Networking events and live sessions
Member-only resources and insights
👉 Renew here: [Renewal Link]
Best regards,
[Chapter Leader / Staff Name]
Final Week
Subject: Your membership expires soon—renew today
Hi [First Name],
Your membership is about to expire on [Renewal Date]. Don’t lose access to the connections, resources, and opportunities that matter to you.
👉 Click here to renew now: [Renewal Link]
We’re grateful for your continued support.
Sincerely,
[Executive Director / Team Name]
Social Media Post Examples to Copy
Creating social content alongside your email sequences keeps members engaged wherever they spend time. Posts help amplify your message, welcome new members publicly, and remind your community about upcoming events or renewals.
Note: Glue Up doesn’t publish social media posts for you. These examples are meant to complement your communication plan, with Glue Up handling the email, event, community, and renewal workflows in one place.
New Member Welcome
LinkedIn/Facebook
👋 Please join us in welcoming our newest members to [Association Name]! We’re excited to have you in our community and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make.
Log in to the member portal to connect with your peers: [Portal Link]
#Welcome #NewMembers #AssociationCommunity
Twitter/X
We’re excited to welcome new members to [Association Name]! 🎉 Connect with peers and explore your benefits here: [Portal Link] #NewMembers #Community
Engagement/Event Promotion
LinkedIn/Facebook
📅 Don’t miss our upcoming event: [Event Name] on [Date]. Whether you’re looking for networking opportunities, training sessions, or industry insights, this event has something for you.
Secure your spot today 👉 [Event Link]
#ProfessionalDevelopment #LiveEvents #Networking
Twitter/X
Join us for [Event Name] on [Date]! Learn, connect, and grow with peers. Register here 👉 [Event Link] #Networking #LiveEvent
Renewal Reminder
LinkedIn/Facebook
🔔 Membership renewal deadline is coming up! Don’t miss another year of live sessions, exclusive resources, and community networking.
Renew today and keep your benefits active: [Renewal Link]
#MemberRenewal #AssociationLife
Twitter/X
Your membership with [Association Name] is expiring soon! ⏳ Renew today to stay connected: [Renewal Link] #RenewalReminder
Measuring Success
A communications plan only works if you know whether it’s delivering results. Tracking the right metrics shows you what’s working and where to adjust. Research shows that 70% of associations that analyze member engagement regularly report improved retention rates. That means metrics aren’t optional—they’re essential to keeping your plan effective.
So which numbers matter most? Let’s break down the key metrics you should be tracking:
Key Metrics to Track
Open rates and click-through rates (CTR): Reveal whether members are reading and acting on your emails.
Engagement by touchpoint: Track participation in events, webinars, and community posts following specific campaigns.
Renewal and retention rates: Show how healthy communication is influencing long-term member value.
Survey response rates: Indicate whether members are paying attention and willing to share input.
Channel performance: Compare email, social, and community posts to see where members prefer to engage.
How Glue Up Helps
Glue Up makes it easier to measure all of this in one place:
The Campaign Report option tracks open rates, clicks, bounces, and campaign performance across different lists.
Event and community engagement sync to the CRM, so you can see whether communication drives participation.
Renewal and payment status connect through the Finance module, letting you tie communication activity directly to membership revenue.
Built-in survey tools give you feedback loops that can refine your plan with member-driven data.
With these insights, you can run a member communications plan that’s measurable, adaptable, and tied directly to retention. Book a demo today to see how Glue Up can help you automate campaigns, track engagement, and keep members connected at every stage.
Turn Your Member Communications Plan Into Action
A successful member communications plan isn’t just about writing emails—it’s about creating consistent, structured touchpoints that make every member feel valued. When you pair a clear framework with the right tools, you reduce guesswork and increase retention.
From welcome sequences to renewal reminders, every message has a purpose: to build trust, drive engagement, and prove the value of membership. Associations that follow a plan see stronger participation, smoother renewals, and more loyal members.
Glue Up helps you put this into practice with automated campaigns, integrated event promotion, and real-time reporting—all in one place.
If you’re ready to implement your communications plan, book a demo and see how Glue Up can help your association keep members engaged from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can associations use social media in a communications plan?
Social channels extend your reach beyond email. Use them to welcome new members publicly, promote upcoming events, and highlight member achievements. This reinforces the same messages members receive in their inbox, but in a more visible, shareable format.
Should a member communications plan include crisis communication?
Yes. Associations should prepare templates for urgent updates such as event cancellations, policy changes, or emergencies. Having predefined messages ensures members receive timely, consistent information without delays.
How do you personalize member communications without overwhelming staff?
Start with segmentation. Group members by interest, location, or membership type, then automate recurring emails like event reminders or renewal notices. This way, personalization feels natural without adding manual work.
Can member communications support lead generation?
Absolutely. By publicly sharing success stories, event highlights, and community updates, your communications can attract prospective members while keeping current ones engaged. A plan ensures consistency in these outward-facing messages.
What role does analytics play in improving communications?
Analytics shows not just who opened an email but also which topics drive action. If members consistently click event updates but ignore resource emails, that insight helps you prioritize content that matters most to your audience.
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