A member benefits program that nobody uses earns nothing and adds nothing to membership. Most of what decides whether members use it happens before launch: why you are doing it, how members get in, which offers they see first, and how you tell them.
This is the plan we would follow, step by step. It applies whichever partner you choose; where MemberLoop does something specific, we say so.
1. Decide what the program is for
Write down the one or two outcomes that matter most, because they shape every later choice.
- Value at renewal: members see what membership gives them all year, not only at renewal time.
- Non-dues revenue: a steady new line in the budget.
- Recruitment: a reason for non-members and students to join.
If renewal value comes first, choose offers members will use often. If revenue comes first, you will care most about engagement and spend, which our calculator lets you model.
2. Bring the board along early
Boards approve programs they understand. Before you ask for a vote, be ready to answer in plain words:
- What does it cost us, now and later?
- How do we earn, and how will we see it?
- Who holds member data, and what do vendors see?
- Who writes to members, under whose consent?
- How do we stop if it isn't working?
Our non-dues revenue guide has a worked business case and a governance checklist you can adapt, and the affinity program checklist covers readiness.
3. Decide how members will get in
The fastest way to lose members is a second account with a new password. Plan sign-in before anything else visible.
- Single sign-on lets members use the login they already have with you.
- A synced member list from your association management system keeps the right people in without spreadsheets.
- A member number, a work email domain or an invite code lets members activate on their own.
With MemberLoop, your administrator sets these up in the admin console, with no MemberLoop staff needed. Our integrations page lists the systems we connect to and the sign-in options.
4. Choose the offers members see first
A long list matters less than the first few offers a member sees. Favour categories tied to members' working lives (phone plans, practice and productivity software, banking, professional insurance, travel for work) over generic retail.
If you already have agreements with sponsors or affinity partners, bring them in too. With MemberLoop you choose which offers to feature, and offers you add yourself are seen only by your members.
5. Set it up under your own name
Members should feel they are in their association's portal, because they are. Put your logo, colours and address on it, and if you can, run it on your own domain or a subdomain of it. Connect the bank account that will receive your share.
With MemberLoop this is a setup checklist in the admin console: branding, payouts through Stripe, members, featured offers and your mailing address. When it's done, you request launch, and we review it before it goes live.
6. Plan the announcement
Members hear about the program from you, through channels they already read. That is also what Canada's anti-spam law expects: messages come from your association, under the consent members gave you.
A good launch uses several touches over a few weeks:
- an announcement email from the executive director or president,
- a block in the next newsletter,
- a link on your website's member page,
- a slide and a QR code at your next event,
- a reminder to members who haven't activated yet.
MemberLoop's launch kit gives you the join link, QR codes, announcement emails you can send as a blast, newsletter blocks and a printable poster.
7. Watch the first 90 days
Look at three numbers each month: how many members are on the list, how many have activated, and how many came back in the last 30 days. If fewer than half have activated, announce again. If activated members aren't coming back, change the featured offers.
Revenue lags activity, because vendors confirm sales after their return window. Judge the first quarter on activation and use, and the first year on revenue.
8. Keep it alive
A program fades when nothing changes. Refresh the featured offers through the year, mention the program in renewal notices, and tell members what others are saving on. Report to the board each year in the same terms: members activated, offers used, revenue earned.
Ready to start?
MemberLoop is free for your association: vendors pay a commission, a share comes back to you as non-dues revenue, and member data stays with your association. You can set up your association yourself, or book a call and we will walk you through it.