Devising an Ecofriendly Approach for Your Association's Online Content Management
Today, professional associations continue to play a significant role in the lives of entrepreneurs and independent professionals across various sectors. They offer valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge-building, and collaboration on impactful projects. However, as digital transformation sweeps across industries, it's crucial for associations to adapt and keep pace.
For example, an astounding 67.5% of the global population, which is approximately 5.52 billion people, are now online. Of these internet users, 63.8%, or around 5.22 billion, are active social media users. By embracing digital engagement, associations can create engaging, interactive online ecosystems, thereby elevating their culture and staying relevant in the digital age. In this blog post, we delve into common barriers and discuss five essential elements of a sustainable digital content strategy to help associations flourish in the digital era.
Key Challenges in Building a Digital Content Strategy
Associations typically encounter several obstacles that hinder them from crafting an effective digital content strategy:
1. Lack of Relevant Content
The needs of association members are ever-changing. As market conditions evolve, so do skills, job roles, and trends. However, associations may lack the appropriate digital content management mechanisms to regularly produce content that addresses the contemporary needs of professionals.
2. Lack of Consistent Engagement
Modern communication and content are becoming increasingly interactive, accessible, and inclusive. Yet, a significant percentage of communication within traditional associations remains a one-way street. Members miss out on opportunities to meaningfully engage with their community peers, industry members, potential recruiters, mentors, and other stakeholders who can shape their career paths.
3. Lack of Streamlined Systems
Associations may not have access to the right digital tools and technologies that enable them to craft a sustainable digital content strategy. Many legacy digital platforms have limitations such as poor publishing and collaborative infrastructure. They lack the agility and user-friendly interface that associations require to foster vibrant, dynamic communities.
5 Pillars of a Sustainable Digital Content Strategy
Here's a roadmap to help associations establish a strong, self-sustaining digital content strategy.
1. Streamlined Content Creation Workflows
Associations need an infrastructure that simplifies and automates the content creation and publication process. By adopting AI-powered digital textbook publishing solutions like our platform, associations can build a solid foundation.
- The software simplifies and automates content creation workflows.
- The content creation and publishing process become intuitive, user-friendly, and collaborative. Association members can effortlessly leverage pre-designed content templates.
- Association team members can work remotely, contributing content as per their schedules.
- Creators can produce multimedia content using various formats, such as videos, podcasts, interactive eBooks, and 3D models.
- The platform is designed to streamline the distribution process and provide a unified viewing experience for members.
2. Superior Digital Asset Management
Employing top-notch digital publishing software, such as our platform, not only facilitates the creation of high-quality content. It also aids in enhancing digital asset management strategies, enabling associations to repurpose assets in multiple ways.
- Associations can build extensive digital libraries with easy access for members.
- They can curate multiple digital assets to form modular eLearning programs, helping members upgrade their skills swiftly and efficiently.
- Integrated features like digital rights management can help associations monetize their content and eLearning subscriptions.
3. Multiple Content Distribution Channels
In a survey, 88% of Gen Z respondents preferred to engage with brands across both physical and digital channels. Professionals possess similar preferences. Thus, the distribution approach plays a significant role in the success of an overall digital content strategy.
- By adopting an omnichannel distribution strategy, associations can engage with members at the touchpoints they prefer.
- Channels encompass social media platforms, messaging apps, newsletters, apps, and websites.
- Associations can also benefit from AI in two ways: they can identify key member touchpoints at scale and deliver personalized content journeys to members across their preferred channels.
4. Data-driven Analytics and Measurement
Assessing the effectiveness of a digital content strategy is essential to understanding if the content resonates with members. A superior digital publishing platform boasts AI-powered data analytics that simplify measurement. Associations can forecast the success of content based on historical data, and emerging data insights form the foundation for future digital content planning.
5. Continual Member Feedback Integration
Many associations forget to take into account the real-time expectations and experiences of members. Listening to members is an essential aspect of a digital content strategy. Therefore, associations must create mechanisms that continually collect member feedback, like polls, surveys, and face-to-face interviews.
Impact of a Sustainable Digital Content Strategy
- A self-sustaining content pipeline that offers accessible, multimedia content and community activities
- Relevant content tailored to evolving member needs and aspirations
- Consistent engagement levels, which can be continually monitored and improved using data-focused decision-making
- Higher membership retention and subscription revenues, as well as the ability to target new members, particularly those from future generations
Conclusion
A sustainable digital content strategy is vital to the success of any thriving association today. The five key pillars encompass streamlined content creation workflows, superior digital asset management, an omnichannel distribution strategy, data-driven analytics and measurement, and continual user feedback. Technology will play a significant role in facilitating all five pillars. The adoption of AI-powered digital publishing solutions, like our platform, is a crucial initial step towards transforming membership cultures. If your association wants to remain relevant and impactful for future generations of professionals, consider developing a comprehensive digital content strategy that combines technology and expertise.
Connect with us now to initiate a conversation. Also, explore:
- K12 Publishers
- Associations & Societies
- Trade Publishers
- Training Companies
- Content Aggregators
A sustainable digital content strategy, incorporating technology like the AI-powered digital textbook publishing solution, can help associations create engaging online ecosystems that elevate their culture and stay relevant in the digital age. By streamlining content creation and asset management, adopting an omnichannel distribution strategy, and relying on data-driven analytics and member feedback, associations can provide relevant content tailored to evolving member needs, offer consistent engagement levels, and maintain higher membership retention rates.
