Clowder Blog

It’s no secret many organizations are currently in a state of scramble as they restrategize the cancelled events, meetings and educational opportunities they rely on each year to bring their members together. The Coronavirus has affected countless gatherings and continues to do so. What’s ultimately been brought to light throughout this tumultuous time however, is the power that technology solutions hold in being able to bring us together when congregating in person isn’t possible. A great opportunity to showcase adaptability has presented itself to organizations. How they’ll be able to handle these cancellations and disruptions in general will be very telling to members as they evaluate how prepared and capable the organization really is. To quote our COO Brad LaTour, "When this is all over, they'll remember what you did to help them during this crisis."

By now, you’ve probably heard an array of information regarding the Coronavirus outbreak. From the reports, data, stories, myths and theories - there’s a lot circulating out there. While it can be overwhelming, it’s important to stay in-the-know of aspects of the virus that could have a direct impact on you, your job, future plans or everyday life. For that reason, we felt compelled to shout out and applaud a few of our clients who are helping to provide that knowledge to their members.

When you’re in your search for new technology solutions, some companies may claim to do everything desired for half the cost of better trusted solutions. But when you cut corners to shave down costs, you’ll always end up paying for that in the long run. While technology does not have to be outrageously expensive to be good, it is worth an investment in order to avoid wasted time and resources. The technology you put out to your community directly reflects your organization. You should aim to deliver the best experience.

Our goal with this new video series is to present casual conversations about apps and the evolving trends we see around mobile engagement. We also want to make this collaborative, so after each video, we’d love to hear your thoughts as well as what questions or topics you’d like us to cover in our next episode. In the Clowder Demo app, there will be a new Clowder Convos Forum. You can use that thread to drop your questions, requests and responses there, or use the hashtag #ClowderConvos on Twitter! 

We talk a lot about influencers. I mean think about it, they're everywhere. Social media, the news, politics. Telling you what to buy, what's cool and influencing the actions you take. Clowder client Shelley Seavers from AGC San Antonio recognizes the importance of influencers. She sent out an email to 11 individuals she identified as potential app influencers to help drive engagement. Read more about her thought process and expectations below from our one-on-one interview.

Many organizations have trouble pulling the trigger for large initiatives because they want assurance that the ROI will be worth the manpower and money it will take to launch. They want assurance that their staff won’t be overwhelmed and that their tech team has the bandwidth to provide support. While these are valid concerns, our advice when it comes to contemplating mobile is simple – don’t overthink it. Trust us, your members want an app.

When considering a mobile solution, some organizations have a hard time wrapping their heads around what exactly their members will do with an app. In their attempt to justify the investment, they want to know what functions their members will consider “worthwhile.”

In Fall 2019, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) launched its mobile app, My ABCA, to its 12,000+ members. Their promotion of the app, execution of its launch and commitment to user on-boarding is illustrative of their dedication to their membership value and to exemplary service. Earlier this month, ABCA welcomed 5,000 of its members to Nashville for its annual conference (#ABCA2020) where they discussed coaching strategies, networked and learned from other coaches and companies who love the game of baseball and have built their livelihoods around it.

It’s an easy thing to do when you’ve been operating similarly for decades. Resting on your laurels happens out of comfort in doing things the way they’ve always been done. In the case of associations, it’s not a great habit to possess.

Proven Design Practices are Key to an App’s Success

No matter what industry you’re in, what demographic you serve, or what initiatives you’re launching, everything you execute should have your audience experience in mind. How do you meet their needs? How can you be of service, how can you delight them and keep them engaged? Creativity and innovation are valuable assets of course, but when it comes to mobile app design, using tried-and-true best practices is what will garner the adoption and retention you're after and will deliver the greatest experience.