Association Member Acquisition: 10+ Strategies for Growth

/0 Comments/in /by

From small trade groups to professional societies with offices across the country, almost every association aims to grow. By bringing in new members, your association can earn more in dues revenue, increase its influence in your sector, and provide members access to a larger community.

However, the best approach to association member acquisition may not always be clear. With changing priorities in many professional fields and advances in association software, the optimal path for growing your association’s membership base will change over time.

To help your organization bring in new members, we’ll explore top strategies for marketing your association and giving prospective members the push they need to join your community.

 

Why does association member acquisition matter?

Member acquisition is essential for growth. Without attracting new members, your association’s member base will likely remain static or decrease over time as prior members move on.

By actively focusing on acquisition, you can replace lapsed members and expand your community with new members who have unique, fresh perspectives.

Almost every association professional will agree that member acquisition is necessary for continued operation. However, they may disagree on whether it’s best to prioritize acquisition or retention. Both are fundamental to maintaining a healthy, active member base, but a few signs your association should focus more on acquisition include:

  • New association start-up. Brand new associations should focus heavily on member acquisition in their early marketing strategy as they likely have few current members to retain.
  • Low market share. Professional and trade associations should conduct market research to determine how many prospective members are likely to join an association like theirs. By doing so, they can estimate approximately how many total members they could achieve at max capacity. For example, a state-based association for art teachers might calculate there are about 1,000 prospective members in their area. If the association only has 400 members, it should focus on acquisition as there is logically a significant number of new members to gain.
  • Changes in audience. If your association changes its offerings to appeal to a new audience or there is a significant shake-up in your industry that would make association membership appealing to new groups, there will be new members to market to.

Even in these situations, you should still maintain a high-quality membership experience so that new members brought in by your acquisition strategy stay with your organization. This means retention should always be an important focus, even when prioritizing growth.

1. Know your audience.

Effective marketing starts with knowing who your audience is. For professional and trade associations, this means being aware of your average member’s characteristics.

Assess your members and conduct market research on your industry to learn the following information about your target audience:

  • Demographic information. Consider your typical member’s average age, geographic location, income bracket, and education level. For trade and professional associations, you will likely focus on career-related details, such as job title, prior training, and current employer.
  • Goals. What do your prospective members want, and how can your association help them achieve their goals? For example, a new class of graduates entering your field for the first time might have goals related to finding entry-level employment, whereas experienced professionals may focus instead on maintaining their professional networks and staying updated on industry trends.
  • Obstacles. What prevents your audience from reaching their goals? This might be a few professional connections or a lack of training. Additionally, consider what stops your audience from joining your association, such as not knowing what benefits you offer or being unsure if a membership is worth the cost.

Additionally, when crafting your association member acquisition strategy, consider where your audience is in the membership funnel. Sales funnel models vary depending on the industry, but for associations seeking new members, it will look something like this:

For acquisition strategies, you will primarily focus on the first three stages of the funnel: capture, nurture, and convert. These phases involve engaging your audience by creating content that piques their interest and aligns with their goals, then providing easy pathways to learn more and become members.

2. Establish your association’s value proposition.

Why should a prospective member join your association over a similar organization? The answer to this question is your value proposition. This short sales pitch consists of three main elements:

  • Audience: Who are your offerings meant for?
  • Benefits: What do buyers receive from your organization, and how do these offerings help meet their needs?
  • Differentiators: How are your offerings different from those provided by a similar organization?

For example, a professional association for high school and college biology teachers might be: “We provide biology teachers across the country with access to an exclusive community of like-minded professionals.”

This value proposition clearly states the intended audience (biology teachers) and a major benefit members receive (networking opportunities). It also attempts to differentiate its offerings from other associations by pointing out the exclusivity of its offerings.

To acquire new members, consider what your association offers. This might be a thriving online community, industry-leading professional courses, access to a curated job board, and more.

3. Build your online presence.

You can maintain a regular stream of new members by making your association easy to find online. Today, most working professionals looking to join an association will start with an internet search, and the more digital content your association posts, the more likely they are to discover your offerings.

Build your online presence by maintaining social media accounts on platforms popular with your audience, like LinkedIn and Facebook. Additionally, update your website regularly to show prospective members that your association is active and ready to provide a positive experience to new members.

To provide direction for your online marketing activities, consider search engine optimization best practices. A few of these include:

  • Creating keyword-optimized content. Develop valuable content that aligns with keywords prospective members will likely look up. For example, you might make a public blog post on a recent industry trend and ensure the keywords for the trend you are discussing are featured strategically in the post title, headers, and body text.
  • Improving your website’s technical health. Search engines prioritize websites that are fully functional. As such, sites with fast load times and no deadlinks tend to rank higher than their less technically healthy counterparts.
  • Building a backlink profile. If other reputable sites link to your association’s website, search engines will also view your site as trustworthy. The best way to build a backlink profile ethically is to create valuable content others will naturally want to link to and to set up cross-blogging opportunities with other organizations in your sector to spread your thought leadership.

Maintaining an online presence is an ongoing effort. However, after an initial push to implement SEO best practices and set up social media accounts, your website can help you passively acquire new members as they discover your content and essentially convert themselves.

4. Develop your thought leadership.

Develop high-quality content to show potential members that your association offers valuable, professional benefits. This thought leadership should showcase your knowledge of your field and your association’s unique perspective to entice potential members to purchase access to similar content.

A few types of content to create include:

  • Blog posts. Maintain a blog where you regularly post about your field and association. This might be commentary on industry trends, updates on your association, or any other professional opinions or content that members are likely to be interested in.
  • Webinars. Host lecture series and partner with other organizations in your field to appear as a guest speaker on webinars and podcasts. This helps get your association in front of a new audience by presenting your content in a new format.
  • Research reports. Conduct high-quality research in your field to share with members. For example, the American Association of Physics Teachers publishes two peer-reviewed journals. When you gate valuable content like this, exclusive reports can entice research-minded individuals to purchase a membership.

Consider what content to make available to members and on what platforms. For instance, you might create a public blog post that you cross-link on social media sites. However, in that same blog post, you might link to gated content to push prospective members toward converting.

5. Cultivate member relationships.

Your current members are one of your strongest recruiting tools. Members who have a positive experience with your association are more likely to recommend your organization to friends, family, and colleagues, expanding your reach.

You can further incentivize members to recommend your association by creating a referral program. A few benefits you might offer to members who recommend others include:

  • Discounts. In exchange for recommending your association, offer discounts, such as a free month of membership or an exclusive sales code for your online store.
  • Exclusive offerings. Provide limited items and prizes to members who refer others. For example, this could be merchandise or V.I.P. status at your next event. By making these benefits exclusive or only available for a limited time, you encourage members to make recommendations in a timely manner.
  • Tokens of appreciation. While not a tangible benefit, be sure to show appreciation for everyone who participates in your referral program. Express your gratitude by sending personalized thank-you messages to members who make successful referrals.

Additionally, show members the innate benefit of bringing others into your association by maintaining a vibrant community. If your members regularly chat and meet up, they will be more inclined to invite other friends and colleagues to enjoy socializing and networking.

6. Consider an “open-door” model.

If you are seeing low acquisition rates, consider mixing up your membership model and experimenting with an open-door approach. This marketing strategy involves creating a free membership tier, allowing potential members to sign up with your association without committing to regular dues.

A free membership should provide access to basic parts of your association, such as your blog, events, and some courses. However, the majority of your content should be locked behind a paid membership tier or require additional payment, such as event tickets. By giving free members part of your association’s benefits, they’ll be able to verify the quality of your offerings and feel pushed into upgrading to a higher membership tier.

Additionally, adding free members can also energize your association by expanding your community. For instance, with more members, you can increase event attendance and have more voices chiming in during online discussions.

7. Offer in-demand benefits.

Depending on your field, the benefits members need may shift over time. As such, it’s possible to see declining association member acquisition rates if you’re offering outdated content when compared to alternative organizations.

Keep up with current news and best practices in your field and consider how you can apply them to your offerings. For instance, you might regularly review your association’s credentials and educational offerings to ensure they still meet industry standards. Or, you might launch a new blog series reviewing ongoing trends and discussing what your members should take away from them.

8. Collaborate with other organizations in your industry.

Prospective members likely engage with other organizations related to your field. For instance, a potential member might not be part of any one association but still regularly attend a major annual networking event.

Connect with other organizations that share your audience to get your content in front of their members, customers, and supporters. This might take the form of participating as a guest lecturer at events, joining webinars, writing blog posts for other websites, and co-hosting events with other membership-based organizations.

9. Make signing up easy.

When a new member decides to join your association, ensure doing so is as simple as possible. You can make your sign-up process easy by:

  • Streamlining your member application form. Ask only a few necessary questions during your initial member application form. Later on in the process after members are signed up, you can gather information by prompting them to fill out a profile for your member directory.
  • Accepting multiple forms of payment. Ensure your payment processor accepts credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and other payment forms members are likely to use. Additionally, give members the option to save their payment details so they can automatically renew their subscriptions.
  • Providing self-service tools. Invest in a member management platform that allows members to handle several parts of their experience themselves, such as choosing their membership level. This allows them to easily upgrade their membership tier without needing to contact someone at your association.

Track your sign-up completion rates to determine where potential members drop off. This can help you identify and refine steps that may be overly long, frustrating, or unnecessary to improve your association member acquisition rate.

10. Craft an email recruitment series.

When a potential member shows interest in your association, their first interaction will likely be low commitment and revolve around learning more about your organization. For example, they might sign up for a free membership, subscribe to your newsletter, or attend a single event.

After a potential member takes this action, enroll them in an email recruitment series that provides information about your association and pushes them to become a full member. For instance, your series might look something like this:

  • A welcome email that introduces your association and invites prospective members to learn more
  • A content or activity highlight email that focuses on one of your association’s benefits, a recent piece of content, or a popular offering that’s likely to intrigue new members
  • A limited offer email that prompts prospective members to sign up by providing some sort of benefit or deal to doing so in the immediate future, like a trial period or reduced membership fee for the first month

Also, don’t be afraid to get creative with your email marketing strategy. For instance, during various holidays, you might send out eCards promoting new offerings or inviting members to events. Or, you might jump straight to enrolling potential members into your newsletter to encourage greater interaction with the rest of your community.

11. Interview current members.

Discover what attracts members to your association by speaking with your current ones. Send out surveys that ask members questions related to acquisition, like:

  • How did you first hear about [Association Name]?
  • Would you recommend [Association Name] to a friend or colleague? Why or why not?
  • What offerings motivated you to join [Association Name]?
  • Have the benefits at [Association Name] met your expectations?

This is also an opportunity to assess how well you are engaging members, which is necessary for retaining the supporters your association member acquisition efforts bring in. Additionally, consider interviewing recently joined members a month or so after signing up to get a fresh perspective on your sign-up process and how new members view your offerings.

More Member Acquisition Resources

Associations need to acquire new members to grow and provide the valued benefits their communities rely on. As such, crafting a reliable, flexible association member acquisition strategy should always be one of your organization’s top priorities.

To improve your ability to acquire members, ensure your software is set up to facilitate marketing, membership management, and benefits delivery. Here are a few top resources for association professionals looking to upgrade their technology:

Mastering Your Membership Directory: How to Get Started

/0 Comments/in /by

Your association’s community is one of its biggest assets, and enabling these individuals to connect with each other is essential for building a dedicated membership base. As such, one of your most important tools is your membership directory.

Every association should have at least a basic membership directory to enable member connections, stay organized, and encourage communication. However, some directories are set up better than others.

To help your association create a useful directory for your members, this guide will address:

Before exploring best practices and software tips, let’s answer a few core questions about membership directories and how they help associations.

What Is a Membership Directory?

A membership directory is a list of all your association’s members with basic information about each member, such as their name and contact information. Some associations have more complex directories that allow individuals to access detailed member profiles, which may include professional credentials, areas of interest, and other relevant details.

A membership directory can be public or private. Public-facing directories tend to provide limited information, while a private one gives out details members would only want to share with other members. Additionally, your association’s staff likely has a fully detailed directory for back-end member management practices.

What Are the Benefits of a Membership Directory?

A membership directory is ultimately a very simple but foundational tool for associations, and almost every professional or trade association should have some list of members that acts as a directory.

Your directory’s usefulness depends on how organized, complete, and accessible it is. When used well, this tool should provide the following benefits:

  • Improve networking. Having an easily accessible list of names allows your members to find and connect with each other quickly. Members should be able to open your directory, search a person’s name, and find their membership profile. Or, members not looking for anyone in particular should be able to browse member information to find individuals they would like to network with, such as by using search filters for location or profession.
  • Allow for better member management. A member directory helps both your members and your staff. With a detailed list of member information, your team should be able to gather and store data that allows you to easily get in touch with members, engage them, and track their involvement with your association.
  • Boost authority. Many associations use their membership directories as a marketing tool. A large membership directory signals to prospective members that your association is active and has valuable potential connections. The directory serves as social proof and teases possible community experiences.

Your membership directory doesn’t need to be complex to fulfill your needs. To access these benefits, prioritize creating an organized, user-friendly document your members can leverage and update at their convenience.

What To Include in a Membership Directory

Different types of associations should include different information in their directories based on what members are likely to search for. For trade and professional associations, your directory should include this essential information about each member:

  • Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Location (city and state, not home address)
  • Join Date
  • Membership Tier

To improve member engagement and jumpstart networking conversations, you might also include several of these entry fields:

  • Profile Picture
  • Job Title
  • Company Name
  • Years in Industry
  • Alma Mater
  • Professional Credentials
  • Social Media Handles

When requesting this information from members, consider making all of these fields required or setting a few as optional. For instance, you might make social media handles optional to account for members who aren’t on social media. Or, you might add an optional hobbies section that allows members to provide non-professional-related information about themselves.

Remember that you can ask members to provide information for your association’s staff that will not be displayed in your directory. For example, when a member signs up, you will likely ask them for their email address so you can stay in touch with them about your association’s offerings. Then, you might make adding their email address to their public member profile optional.


3 Membership Directory Best Practices

To get the most out of your membership directory and ensure it benefits your members, explore best practices for maintaining, compiling, and promoting your directory. A few tips we recommend include:

Make Updating Member Information Easy

Managing a member directory is a significant undertaking and can be a major administrative burden if your team handles it alone. That’s why you should allow members to control as much of their membership profiles as possible. This way, you can count on members to keep their information updated.

A few ways you can make updating directory information easy and encourage members to do it include:

  • Leverage self-service tools. Ensure members have the ability to update their directory profiles themselves. This way, if they change phone numbers, job titles, or have other life or professional updates, they can edit their profile immediately rather than leaving information outdated.
  • Promote profile creation. When new members join your association, prompt them to create their member profile as soon as possible. For example, your community engagement software might notify members if their profiles are incomplete and how that might harm their networking opportunities.
  • Encourage updates through gamification. Inspire members to return to their profiles to keep them up-to-date through reminders and gamification features, like badges. For instance, you might award members online medals for participating in activities in your community and ask if they want to feature these awards on their member profile.

Member directories should be user-friendly, so if your members have any feedback about challenges related to updating their information, take their concerns seriously. Look for membership management software that prioritizes the user experience and provides intuitive self-service tools.

Add Privacy Controls

Many new members may hesitate to fill out their profiles for your membership directory if they have privacy concerns. For example, a directory that publicly displays members’ emails may result in members receiving unsolicited messages and spam.

Provide privacy settings to reassure members that your directory is safe and secure. For instance, association platforms like Tradewing allow members to customize their profile’s privacy permissions. Members can select whether any aspect of their profile will be visible to the general public, logged-in members, or only the user editing the profile.

Of course, even if members choose to make information private to your community, it will still be available to your association’s administrators. For example, a member may prefer to hide their phone number and email address to limit unwanted communication from other members, but your association can still use these channels to contact them.

Additionally, you can decide whether to make your directory public at all. Some associations maintain private, members-only directories to protect their members’ security and make networking with their community feel exclusive to members.

Leverage Your Directory as a Marketing Tool

Along with being an organizational and networking tool, a directory is also one of your most valuable marketing assets. Associations with large directories full of important industry figures are far more likely to attract new members than smaller organizations.

You can use your directory to bring in new members without sacrificing your current community’s privacy by:

  • Creating a limited public version. On your website, create a directory page that non-members can scroll through to get a sense of your community. This directory should be limited in scope compared to your members-only version that contains whole profiles. For example, you might limit the public variant of your directory to just members’ names and job titles with no available contact information.
  • Spotlighting members. With their permission, create posts online highlighting specific members of your association. For instance, you might ask someone who is a business owner, has decades of experience, or was recently part of a major study if you can spotlight their presence as a member of your association.
  • Sharing data about your directory. Provide general information about your directory to entice new members to join your association. For example, you might share your total number of entries, the cumulative number of years your members have operated in your given industry, or the number of industry leaders in your community. This approach enables you to highlight members’ major accomplishments without calling out anyone in particular.

For associations using an open-door membership model that includes free memberships, consider making access to your directory a gated benefit. This creates a small barrier to entry before individuals can network with other members seamlessly, ensuring that everyone who reaches out to your community through your association is a paid and trustworthy member.

Top Membership Directory Software: Tradewing

When it comes to membership directories and profile creation tools, we recommend our very own community engagement platform, Tradewing.

Tradewing specializes in community management, including networking. As such, associations that use Tradewing empower members to create complex membership profiles that share the information they want to make public. Specifically, Tradewing’s directory features include:

  • Custom profile creation. Add as many member profile entry fields as you want. Tradewing’s profile creation tool comes with a few pre-set options almost any association will use, such as member name and contact information. From there, you can continue adding entry fields to ensure your members communicate relevant information to yourassociation.
  • Advanced privacy settings. Tradewing prioritizes member privacy. Along with allowing members to decide exactly what information they want available to the public, members only, or no one, members can also make their profiles completely private. These profiles include only members’ names and profile pictures, though all information is still available to administrators. This feature is useful for members who want to participate in your community but avoid receiving unsolicited messages.

  • Searchable database. If members want to reach out to a specific person, they can simply run their name through Tradewing’s search tool. The corresponding member profile and recent community posts that person made should appear, allowing members to find who they’re looking for quickly.

Launch a user-friendly member directory within minutes, and offer valuable networking opportunities your community won’t want to pass up.

Tradewing’s Other Community Management Features

In addition to its membership directory, Tradewing is also a full-scale community engagement tool. This means that it provides a host of other tools associations need, including:

  • Community engagement platform. Tradewing’s community engagement platform enables members to connect online via a private social media-like web interface. Members can make posts, comment on each other’s content, and engage with your association’s offerings, all from one central location that keeps their focus solely on your association.
  • Event management tools. Improve your membership experience by hosting events right on your community platform. Announce events, promote them, and then enable members to attend them by clicking a link on the platform they’re already on.
  • Engagement metrics. Get an overview of how your community engages with your content, or take a deep dive into how much each individual interacts with your community. Tradewing will even spotlight top participants in your online community, so you can reach out to thank them for being active members.

Tradewing also integrates with a wide range of popular association management software. This means you can incorporate Tradewing’s community engagement tools, including its membership directory, effortlessly into your organization’s current tech stack.

For more information about Tradewing and how it can help your association’s community, reach out to our team to request a demo.

More Member Directory Resources

A membership directory is an essential tool for keeping your association’s member base organized and active. Explore tools that allow you to create a directory that aligns with your members’ needs, such as providing proper networking features without sacrificing privacy.

To start your research into member directory platforms, explore these top provider lists of alternatives to the top association software solutions:

10 Trusted Mighty Networks Alternatives For Your Community

/0 Comments/in /by

When it comes to building online communities, Mighty Networks has earned a reputation as a reliable platform. Thousands of creators and organizations use it to build their online communities and sell courses.

But is it truly the best fit for you? The answer depends on what you’re looking for. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of Mighty Networks alternatives offering features like better video hosting capabilities, member engagement tools, intuitive user interfaces, and seamless integrations with your current platforms. From course creation to professional networking, this list covers Mighty Networks alternatives for every type of community builder:

Platform Comparable Features
Tradewing Online communities, member management, event management, website builder, email marketing
BuddyBoss Communication tools, course creation via integration, mobile app, monetization tools
Blue Sky eLearn LMS, virtual event hosting, resource library, certification tracking, reporting tools
Discourse Open-source platform, threaded discussions, moderation tools, gamification
Facebook Groups Group privacy options, built-in engagement tools, integration with Facebook tools, auto-invite suggestions
Hivebrite Member directories, event management, networking tools, fundraising tools, resource libraries
LinkedIn Groups Integration with LinkedIn profiles, content sharing, moderation tools
Patreon Membership tiers, content management, community engagement tools, income reporting
Podia Custom storefronts, support for different file types, one-on-one coaching, built-in marketing tools
Thinkific Course builder, student communities, drip content delivery, integrations

We’ll also explore the pros and cons of Mighty Networks, giving you a fair assessment of your options.

As an organization’s community manager or an individual creator, you understand the importance of finding the right platform to foster connections and deliver value to your audience. Mighty Networks is a solid choice, but don’t jump into a new platform without reviewing a variety of options first! Let’s get started.

Is Mighty Networks a good platform?

Yes, Mighty Networks is a good platform for building online communities where members can interact and learn. It’s particularly good= for monetizing courses, and it suits different communities well, whether you’re an individual creator, personal development group, special interest group, online learning community, or membership-based organization.

A mockup of a community built on the Mighty Networks platform

Pros:

  • Online Communities: Build an online community with features like activity feeds, polls, groups, and a member directory.
  • Course Creation: Host and sell content to generate income. You can teach live and post pre-recorded content. You can also add quizzes to test students’ knowledge.
  • Custom Branding: Each “Space” (AKA a specific area within your online community) can have a custom logo, graphics, and colors. With a higher-tier plan, you can also create a branded app.
  • Mobile Apps: The Mighty Networks Pro plan provides native mobile apps for both iOS and Android, making it easy for members to connect on the go.

 

Who is Mighty Networks best for?

This online community platform is ideal for:

  • Coaches, consultants, and creators who want to host vibrant communities and monetize their expertise.
  • Membership site owners who want an all-in-one solution without relying on multiple tools.
  • Businesses or brands seeking a private space to engage their audience outside of social media.

However, it’s not for everyone. Even within those groups, many people still prefer Mighty Networks competitors due to features, pricing, or other factors.

Is there a free version of Mighty Networks?

You can get a 14-day free trial of Mighty Networks’ Community Plan, but after that, the price goes up to $41/month. While some community platforms offer an entirely free version, those are usually limited in functionality and/or may only allow a very limited number of users/members.

When billed annually, you get 2 months free on any plan. With annual billing, Mighty Networks’ regular plans scale up to $360/month. Mighty Pro starts at $2,000/month, giving you branded apps.

 

Reasons To Consider Mighty Networks Alternatives

While a great community platform, Mighty Networks isn’t the best option for everyone. Based on customer reviews from platforms like G2 and Capterra, common complaints include:

  • Limited Video Hosting Functionality: Users complain that you can’t record sessions directly on the platform or set up one-on-one sessions for coaching.
  • Expensive: The platform can be expensive compared to Mighty Networks alternatives, especially if you want advanced features or custom branding.
  • Integration Issues: Users complain that there aren’t many integrations, and when they do use integrations, they encounter issues.
  • No Native Email Marketing: You’ll need integrations or external tools for robust email campaigns. Meanwhile, some Mighty Networks competitors, like Tradewing, feature email marketing.
  • Learning Curve: The platform can be overwhelming for beginners due to the sheer number of features and settings as well as poor navigation menu options.
  • Payment Processing Fees: Mighty Networks charges varying transaction fees on its plans, which can add up if you’re running a paid community.
  • Limited Payment Processing: Users complain about limited payment processing options, especially in countries outside of the U.S.

TL;DR: Here’s a chart comparing Mighty Networks’ pros and cons:

As with any software, we recommend reading reviews on unbiased platforms like G2 and Capterra. This gives you a sense of how well each platform actually works, rather than solely judging based on the positive reviews that vendors feature on their websites.

Now, let’s jump into leading platforms that offer different features and price points that may better fit your needs.

 

Tradewing: The Ultimate Alternative to Mighty Networks

Tradewing is a powerful platform designed to help associations and other membership-based organizations build vibrant online communities. With features tailored for member engagement, event hosting, and communications, Tradewing offers a seamless experience for organizations seeking a robust yet budget-friendly alternative to Mighty Networks.

Its intuitive interface makes it easy to create communities while integrated tools like email marketing and a website builder streamline outreach. You can also integrate with Stripe, Constant Contact, and a variety of association management software solutions.

Whether you’re an association, nonprofit, or professional organization, Tradewing is your best option for boosting community engagement and non-dues revenue.

User-Friendly Online Communities

One of the leading reasons people join associations is for networking opportunities. However, only 28% of associations invite new members to join an online community. Keep your members engaged with a vibrant online community built with Tradewing.

Encourage networking and skill development with features like:

  • Group discussions and direct messaging
  • Filtering and following tools that let users control the content they see
  • A resource library where you can organize documents, videos, guides, and other materials
  • In-platform events and listings to boost registrations
  • A searchable member directory and customizable member profiles
  • Moderation tools and access permissions to maintain a safe community
  • Analytics to  monitor community interests and member engagement
  • Sponsorship management with customizable sponsor pages

Your online community will also be mobile-accessible, enabling members to participate from their favorite devices. Members can engage with others in a familiar social media-like platform where they can share content and interact with their peers.

Member Management

From welcoming new members to encouraging renewals, Tradewing empowers you to create a positive member experience. Offer membership packages that inspire newcomers to join your community and create a custom application process that guides them through the process.

Accept a variety of payment options and offer grace periods, enabling members to pay how and when it makes the most sense for them. Thanks to automated renewal reminders that gently nudge them to make their payments, your members won’t forget to renew.

With real-time reporting and analytics tools, you can see how engaged members are at any point and respond quickly to lapses in engagement.

Robust Event Management

With Tradewing, you can plan, host, and promote events effortlessly. From webinars to in-person meetups, you can organize events directly within the platform, manage registrations, and even live stream events within your online community.

You have the option to open up your events to non-members, helping to increase attendance, drive revenue, and encourage new memberships. Easily adjust prices based on membership tiers and by enabling promotional codes. With custom registration fields, you can collect any relevant data you need from names to dietary restrictions. For in-person events, you can even set capacity limits.

Drag-and-Drop Website Builder

Tradewing’s built-in website builder lets you create a professional and appealing website without any coding skills. Customize and brand your site, and get up and running within minutes.

You can set some pages to public while others are members-only, so every user has access to the content they need. Plus, your site will be mobile-optimized right out of the box, so people can access it anywhere.

Email Marketing

Ongoing emails are the top way associations engage tenured members. Luckily, Tradewing empowers you to stay connected with your community through integrated email marketing tools. Streamline outreach with features such as:

  • Automated Digest Emails: Effortlessly send digest emails to keep members informed about the latest news and events within your association.
  • Audience Segmentation: Target specific member interests and preferences for personalized communications.
  • Performance Analytics: Monitor email engagement through built-in analytics, enabling your team to assess performance.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Maintain respectful member relationships by protecting members from spam and offering opt-out tools.
  • Event Promotion: Leverage automated event reminders to boost attendance at upcoming events.

Additionally, you can use the tools you love by integrating Tradewing and your preferred email marketing platform like Constant Contact. That way, your communications, events, and member engagement data are all synced.

A Tradewing Success Story

Tradewing helps organizations of every size in different industries. The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) is one of our happy customers who built an easily accessible online community with Tradewing.

This association’s greatest assets are its members: college and high school physics teachers. They needed a solution to connect anytime to ask questions and collaborate with other educators. Prior to Tradewing, AAPT held two in-person conferences a year, but that wasn’t feasible for every member due to travel costs and PTO needs.

Considering that members also wanted to connect between these meetings, AAPT invested in Tradewing. Today, members can share lesson plans, teaching methods, resources, and more whenever they need to, so they can become better physics teachers.

Watch the full story with AAPT’s director of membership below:

Explore other case studies to envision what Tradewing can do for your organization and its members.

Other Reliable Mighty Networks Competitors

If you’re still on the hunt for the right Mighty Networks alternative, we’ve researched plenty of options. Let’s explore comparable features to Mighty Networks and pricing information for other leading community and eLearning platforms.

BuddyBoss: Best for WordPress-Powered Communities

BuddyBoss is a powerful community-building platform designed for WordPress users. It offers flexibility to create online communities, courses, and membership sites with full control over your data and branding. With integrations for popular plugins, BuddyBoss empowers creators, educators, and businesses to deliver highly tailored experiences. Its deep WordPress integration makes it a standout choice for those who prefer open-source platforms and extensive customization.

Key Features:

  • Built-in features for forums, activity feeds, private messaging, and member profiles
  • Advanced course creation by integrating with LearnDash, the most popular WordPress learning management system (LMS)
  • Mobile app support for delivering your community experience on the go
  • Complete control over branding and data ownership
  • Monetization tools for memberships, courses, and premium content

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Customization: BuddyBoss offers more customization options through WordPress, while Mighty Networks is a more closed system with limited flexibility.
  • Data Ownership: BuddyBoss gives complete control of your data, whereas Mighty Networks hosts your data on their platform.
  • Learning Management System: BuddyBoss integrates directly with LearnDash, making it superior for educational communities.
  • Pricing: While BuddyBoss requires upfront costs for plugins and hosting, it can be more cost-effective over time compared to Mighty Networks’ subscription plans.

 

Blue Sky eLearn: Best Mighty Networks Alternative for eLearning

Blue Sky eLearn is an LMS specifically designed to support eLearning and virtual events needs for professional organizations and associations. It excels in delivering webinars, virtual events, and continuing education (CE) programs with tools for tracking certifications and managing resources. Blue Sky eLearn stands out for its robust LMS features, making it a perfect choice for organizations focused on education, training, and professional development.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive LMS with tools for structured learning paths, certifications, and assessments
  • Virtual event hosting integrated into the learning experience
  • Resource library for storing on-demand educational content
  • CE tracking and certification management
  • Reporting tools to track learner progress
  • Integration with third-party tools for added functionality

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • eLearning Focus: Blue Sky eLearn specializes in structured learning and professional development, while Mighty Networks offers a more general-purpose community-building platform.
  • Webinar Integration: Blue Sky eLearn has built-in webinar hosting tools, whereas Mighty Networks requires external integrations for similar functionality.
  • Certification Management: Blue Sky eLearn offers advanced CE tracking and certification management features, which are not a focus in Mighty Networks.
  • Customization: While Blue Sky eLearn is highly specialized, it has less branding and design flexibility compared to Mighty Networks’ Spaces and branded app options.

 

Discourse: Best for Open-Source Forum-Like Communities

Discourse is an open-source discussion platform designed for creating vibrant, forum-based communities. Known for its simplicity and developer-friendly customization, Discourse is perfect for groups that want full control over their community infrastructure. Its intuitive design encourages meaningful discussions, while its open-source nature allows for deep integrations. For anyone seeking a forum-centric alternative to Mighty Networks, Discourse is a top choice and now powers over 20,000 online communities.

Key Features:

  • Open-source platform with full control over data and hosting
  • Clean, modern design optimized for threaded discussions and real-time chat
  • Advanced AI and user moderation tools, including built-in spam protection
  • Plugin architecture for extending functionality with integrations like Slack, WordPress, and GitHub
  • Gamification features, such as badges, to increase engagement

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Open-Source Flexibility: Discourse grants complete control over hosting and customization, while Mighty Networks is a closed platform.
  • Discussion Focus: Discourse is optimized for forum-style discussions, whereas Mighty Networks provides broader community-building features like courses and memberships.
  • Cost Structure: Discourse can be self-hosted for free, but managed hosting plans are available, making it a more cost-effective option than Mighty Networks’ subscription model.
  • Developer-Friendly: Discourse’s open-source code and plugin architecture make it ideal for developers, while Mighty Networks appeals more to non-technical users.

 

Facebook Groups: Best Casual Social Media Community Platform

With more than 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the world’s most popular social media platform and offers unmatched convenience for connecting people around shared interests and causes. Bring your community members together on this platform by creating a Facebook Group. While limited in functionality, it’s a free option for casual online communities.

Whether you’re looking to create a private group for close-knit interactions or a public space for large-scale discussions, Facebook Groups provides a user-friendly environment to foster engagement without the need for extensive setup.

Key Features:

  • Free to use with easy setup in the Facebook ecosystem
  • Options for public, private, or secret group privacy levels
  • Built-in tools like polls, events, and live streaming to engage members
  • Mobile-friendly experience through the Facebook app
  • Auto-invite suggestions based on existing Facebook connections

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Reach: Facebook Groups is free and easily accessible to anyone with a Facebook account, while Mighty Networks requires a paid subscription for advanced features.
  • Audience Size: Facebook’s massive user base allows for greater discoverability, whereas Mighty Networks requires users to join your specific platform.
  • Ownership and Control: Mighty Networks provides full control over data and community features, whereas Facebook owns and controls all group data.

 

Hivebrite: Best Mighty Networks Alternative for Alumni Communities

Hivebrite is a highly customizable community management platform that serves different membership-based organizations, with a strong emphasis on educational institutions and alumni networks. It offers powerful tools for connecting alumni, organizing events, and enabling professional networking. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with advanced features like member directories and fundraising tools, makes it the ultimate solution for schools looking to build vibrant alumni communities.

Key Features:

  • Member directories that enable alumni to connect with searchable filters like graduation year, industry, or location
  • Event management to plan reunions, fundraisers, and webinars
  • Networking tools like built-in job boards and mentorship programs
  • Fundraising tools to support institutional initiatives
  • Resource libraries to host educational

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Professional Networking: Hivebrite includes tailored tools like job boards and mentorship programs, which Mighty Networks does not offer.
  • Fundraising Integration: Hivebrite has built-in donation and crowdfunding tools, whereas Mighty Networks focuses more on content monetization.
  • Scalability: Hivebrite is better suited for large-scale alumni networks with advanced needs, while Mighty Networks is ideal for smaller or more casual communities.

If this option sounds appealing, but you’re not sold on it, check out our ultimate list of Hivebrite alternatives.

 

LinkedIn Groups: Best for Professional, Niche Industry Communities

With more than 1 billion active users, LinkedIn Groups is ideal for managing professional communities centered around specific industries or topics. Leveraging LinkedIn’s massive network of professionals, Groups make it easy to connect members, foster discussions, and share industry insights. With its professional focus and integration into the LinkedIn ecosystem, LinkedIn Groups is best for organizations or individuals looking to build industry-focused communities.

Key Features:

  • Professional networking, thanks to direct integration with LinkedIn profiles
  • Discussions and content sharing of articles, updates, and insights directly within groups
  • Easy discoverability since users can search and join groups relevant to their professions or interests
  • Moderation tools, which allow admins to approve members and manage discussions

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Professional Network Integration: LinkedIn Groups seamlessly integrate with LinkedIn profiles, offering networking opportunities that Mighty Networks can’t match.
  • Ease of Access: Groups on LinkedIn are free to join and easily discoverable by professionals already on the platform, while Mighty Networks requires members to join a standalone community.
  • Customization: Mighty Networks offers more branding and design options since the layout of LinkedIn Groups is limited to LinkedIn’s default interface.
  • Industry Focus: While Mighty Networks caters to broader community-building, LinkedIn Groups are specifically designed for professional and industry-focused discussions.

 

Patreon: Best Mighty Networks Alternative for Digital Creators

Patreon is a leading platform for digital creators looking to monetize their content and build relationships with their audience. It enables creators to earn income while providing exclusive content, rewards, or experiences to members. Its user-friendly design and monetization tools make it the go-to platform for artists, podcasters, writers, influencers, and other creators seeking community engagement.

Key Features:

  • Membership tiers with varying perks
  • Exclusive content to reward loyal supporters
  • Community engagement tools like direct messaging, polls, and comments
  • Transparent income report to monitor financial growth

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Ease of Use: Patreon’s straightforward setup is ideal for creators starting with monetization, whereas Mighty Networks may feel more complex for small-scale creators.
  • Audience Reach: Patreon provides built-in discoverability for creators through its platform, while Mighty Networks relies on the creator to drive signups.
  • Branding: Mighty Networks offers branded spaces, while Patreon operates within its own ecosystem.

 

Podia: Best Choice for Selling Courses and Digital Products

Podia is designed for creators who want to sell online courses, digital products, and memberships without technical headaches. Its interface makes it easy to set up and manage your storefront and content delivery. With a focus on simplicity and monetization, Podia empowers creators, educators, and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while maintaining full control over their offerings.

Key Features:

  • Customizable storefronts to showcase courses and products
  • Support for eBooks, templates, audio files, videos, and other file types
  • Ability to sell and schedule one-on-one coaching sessions
  • Built-in marketing, such as email marketing and affiliate program management

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Customization: Both platforms offer branded storefronts, but Mighty Networks provides more options for community spaces and member interaction.
  • Pricing: Podia has straightforward pricing with no transaction fees, while Mighty Networks charges higher subscription fees and may take a cut of transactions on lower-tier plans.
  • Ease of Use: Podia’s simplicity and beginner-friendly setup are ideal for creators, while Mighty Networks may require more time to configure.

 

Thinkific: Best for Educational Communities and Course Creation

Thinkific is a leading platform for building educational communities, offering powerful tools to create, market, and deliver online courses. Tailored for educators, institutions, and businesses, Thinkific combines robust course creation features with community engagement tools to foster collaborative learning experiences. Its focus on professional-grade course delivery makes it the ideal Mighty Networks alternative for educational communities.

Key Features:

  • A course builder with support for videos, quizzes, and assignments
  • Communities that enable learners to discuss and connect
  • Drip content delivery to release course material gradually
  • Integrations with tools like Zoom and Mailchimp to enhance your educational ecosystem

How It Compares to Mighty Networks:

  • Advanced Course Features: Thinkific offers more robust course creation tools, such as quizzes, assignments, and certificates.
  • Pricing Models: Thinkific provides multiple monetization options for courses, whereas Mighty Networks emphasizes membership fees and community monetization.
  • Focus on Education: Thinkific is specifically designed for educational content delivery, while Mighty Networks provides more generalized community-building features.

Choose your next community platform.

Choosing the right online community platform depends on your unique needs, whether it’s selling courses, fostering professional connections, or creating a secure space for members. While Mighty Networks is a strong contender, there are numerous alternatives offering specialized features that might better align with your goals. From Podia’s seamless course-selling tools to Hivebrite’s alumni-focused capabilities, each platform has something unique to offer.

For a solution that combines powerful community-building features with advanced member management, Tradewing stands out as the ultimate choice. With tools for boosting membership renewals, non-dues revenue, and community engagement, Tradewing empowers you to build thriving, connected communities.

To set your community up for success, check out these educational resources:

6 Excellent Higher Logic Alternatives: Comparing Features

/0 Comments/in /by

While Higher Logic is a widely recognized leader in the community management space, it isn’t necessarily the perfect fit for every organization. The platform can feel limiting for some—whether due to pricing, customizability, or a lack of specific features like eLearning.

If you’ve found yourself searching for a solution that better aligns with your goals, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re seeking different integrations, enhanced education tools, or a budget-friendly solution, there are powerful Higher Logic alternatives that deserve your attention.

We’ll explore Higher Logic’s functionalities and common customer complaints before diving into these leading competitors:

Platform Features Best For
Tradewing Member management, online communities, event management, email marketing, website builder Online Communities
BetterMode Discussions, articles, job boards, gamification, integrations with leading tools Integrations
Blue Sky eLearn Event management, learning management, content monetization, credit tracking, engagement tools, integrations, analytics Education and eLearning
Fonteva Event management, configurable registration, speaker and sponsor management, mobile events apps, other management tools Event-Focused Organizations
MemberClicks Email list segmentation, scheduling and automation, personalization based on profile data, CRM integration, performance reports Email Marketing
Wild Apricot Website builder, member database, payment processing, event management, email marketing, online store Tight Budgets

The right platform for your organization depends on your priorities, budget, and members’ unique preferences. Ready for a fresh perspective on community management? Let’s dive in!

 

What does Higher Logic do?

Higher Logic Thrive is a comprehensive member experience platform designed for associations to enhance member engagement, streamline operations, and drive growth. By integrating online community capabilities, marketing automation, and member management tools, it enables organizations to connect with their members throughout the entire membership lifecycle.

A mockup of the Higher Logic platform

It offers features such as:

  • Online Community and Events: Organizations can set up discussion forums, resource libraries, and event management tools to provide members with ways to interact and share information.
  • Marketing and Communications: Marketing automation tools help deliver personalized communications efficiently, including full campaigns or one-time emails.
  • Member Management: Either leverage AMS integrations to manage member data or use Higher Logic’s built-in member management feature.
  • AI-Driven Tools: Send automated newsletters with dynamic content based on user activity, or make content easy to find within your online community with AI-suggested tags.
  • Mentor and Volunteer Management: Enable members to show their commitment to the industry by mentoring or volunteering. Your organization can coordinate volunteer activities, and you can pair experienced mentors with members looking to advance their skills.

Higher Logic also provides a solution for businesses called Higher Logic Vanilla, which allows them to create branded, customer-centric online communities. This platform helps businesses enhance customer engagement, provide self-service resources, and foster peer-to-peer interactions.

 

Why to Consider Higher Logic Alternatives

While Higher Logic is a reliable community engagement platform, it’s not the ideal solution for every organization. Based on user reviews from platforms like G2 and Capterra, here are some reasons why you might consider going with a Higher Logic competitor:

  • Cost Considerations: For organizations working with tight budgets, there may be platforms that offer more competitive pricing and better align with their financial needs.
  • Integration Challenges: Some users have reported difficulties integrating Higher Logic with their existing systems, which could pose challenges for organizations reliant on seamless data synchronization.
  • Learning Curve: Both staff and members may face a steep learning curve when adopting the platform, which can impact implementation timelines and member satisfaction.
  • Customer Support Concerns: With more than 3,000 customers to serve, Higher Logic’s customer support has received mixed reviews. Some users find it difficult to get timely and effective assistance.
  • Customization Limitations: The platform’s customization options might not meet the needs of organizations seeking highly tailored solutions.
  • API Limitations: Organizations that depend on robust API capabilities might find Higher Logic’s offerings less flexible compared to other platforms.
  • Specific Use Case Needs: Higher Logic’s all-in-one approach may not be ideal for organizations that require a platform designed specifically for a single use case, such as event management or eLearning.

TL;DR: Here’s a chart comparing the pros and cons of Higher Logic:

By considering common customer critiques like these, you can make a more informed decision about whether Higher Logic or an alternative platform is the best choice for your team.

Remember to check third-party online reviews for any platform you’re evaluating rather than only relying on testimonials that vendors feature on their websites.

Tradewing: Best Higher Logic Alternative For Online Communities

Built for professional and trade associations, Tradewing is the ultimate community engagement platform for boosting membership engagement, renewals, and non-dues revenue. It’s equipped with everything you need to create an unparalleled member journey while automating timely manual tasks, so your team can focus on what matters most: delivering value to members and driving your organization’s growth.

Online Community Platform

While two of the top reasons members join associations are networking and access to learning opportunities, only 28% of membership-based organizations invite new members to join an online community. With Tradewing, you can launch your online community within minutes thanks to our customizable templates. Then, leverage community-building tools like:

  • Discussion forums where members can share insights, ask questions, and collaborate on industry topics.
  • Specialized groups to cater to specific member interests, fostering deeper connections and targeted discussions.
  • Resource libraries that support documents, articles, and multimedia content, offering valuable learning opportunities.
  • Moderation tools to maintain a safe environment, including content review and user access controls.
  • Sponsorship management to seamlessly promote sponsors within your community, with tools for sponsors to manage custom profiles.

Your community will also be mobile-friendly, empowering your members to engage from any device, wherever they are. In no time, you’ll build a vibrant, interactive community that members won’t want to leave, leading to more renewals and higher retention rates.

Comprehensive Member Management

Manage members wherever they are in their journey, whether they just joined or are about to renew their memberships. With Tradewing’s advanced member management tools, you can:

  • Onboard members with a streamlined application process.
  • Create and promote compelling membership packages.
  • Offer flexible payment options to suit members’ preferences.
  • Automate renewal reminders with optional grace periods.
  • Monitor member activity to nurture stronger engagement.

Advanced analytics enable your team to better meet member needs and spot problems before they impact renewals. Stay in the loop with engagement reports and dashboards, so you know what factors are impacting individuals’ engagement.

Event Management

Plan and execute in-person, virtual, and hybrid events that drive engagement. Our event management tools support registration and ticketing, allowing you to manage payments, track attendance, and open up events to non-members. Vary pricing based on membership type, enable promo codes, and automatically notify members of upcoming events, so you can incentivize participation.

You can also set capacity limits, ensuring a smooth event experience that maximizes resources. Integrated live streaming features make it easy to host virtual events directly within your online community, enabling members to participate without traveling to another platform.

Drag-and-Drop Website Builder

Your organization’s website is an important asset. With 63% of supporters preferring to give online, an optimized website is crucial for connecting with members and driving revenue. Tradewing’s website builder makes it easy to create a professional and effective online presence tailored to your organization’s needs.

Build a stunning website within minutes using our drag-and-drop editor. Your site will be mobile-optimized right out of the box, so members can easily access your site from their preferred devices. Take complete control over who can view your content with public and members-only pages.

Targeted Email Marketing

Stay connected with your members with tailored emails. Personalized emails have 82% higher open rate than generic emails on average. Tradewing helps you deliver segmented campaigns catered to members’ specific interests and preferences. From effective welcome emails to automated event notifications, members will receive the communications that are most relevant to them.

Tradewing’s email marketing tools also integrate with popular email marketing platforms, enabling seamless tracking of engagement metrics. Plus, our compliance features protect your members from spam and offer opt-out tools, so you can maintain respectful member relationships.

Other Leading Higher Logic Competitors

If you want to compare other platforms to find the right fit, there are several other options that might be a better match. These Higher Logic alternatives provide a range of tools to align with different priorities.

BetterMode: Best Higher Logic Alternative for Integrations

Formerly known as Tribe, BetterMode is a highly customizable and modular community platform designed for businesses and individual creators. It enables administrators to build tailored experiences using flexible widgets and robust APIs, making it an excellent alternative for those seeking more customization options than Higher Logic’s standard offerings.

BetterMode seamlessly integrates with HubSpot, Zapier, Slack, Google Analytics, and other popular platforms, allowing organizations to connect their community with other essential systems—similar to Higher Logic, but with added flexibility.

Key Features:

  • Pre-made templates for discussions, articles, events, and job boards
  • A design studio to build unique layouts without coding
  • Gamification tools like badges and leaderboards to boost engagement
  • Integrations with leading software via BetterMode’s app store and API support

Pricing: BetterMode has a free plan with limited functionality for individuals exploring web app creation. However, small organizations will need the Pro Plan ($49/month), while large brands should use the paid plan ($99/month).

Blue Sky eLearn: Top Competitor for Education

Blue Sky eLearn delivers world-class eLearning experiences and virtual events via its learning management system (LMS). While Higher Logic excels in creating community-driven platforms, Blue Sky eLearn provides tools to engage users through on-demand learning, webinars, and educational content delivery. These features make this Higher Logic alternative ideal for organizations focused on learning and professional development, rather than broader community-building needs.

Key Features:

  • Event management for webinars, live streaming, and hybrid events
  • Learning management that supports course development, live events, and progress tracking
  • Content monetization to sell courses and events
  • Credit tracking and certificates
  • Engagement tools like polls, Q&As, and chat
  • Integrations with popular AMSs and CRMs
  • Analytics to track learning outcomes

Pricing: Request a demo to learn more about this platform and its pricing options.

Fonteva: Best Alternative for Event-Focused Organizations

Fonteva is a Salesforce-native solution designed to handle complex event management workflows. It offers a suite of integrated applications, which are named Membership, Events, Payments, Communities, and eCommerce.

Where Fonteva really shines is with its event management capabilities. It’s a perfect alternative to Higher Logic for event-heavy organizations that use Salesforce and want a tight CRM integration to streamline data management. Fonteva also supports customizable workflows, broader member management, robust reporting, and eCommerce capabilities, making it a versatile choice for organizations with unique event requirements.

Key Features:

  • Support for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events
  • Configurable registration
  • Speaker and sponsor management
  • A mobile events app branded to your organization
  • Other solutions for member management, community management, and more

Pricing: Reach out to the Fonteva team for the latest pricing.

MemberClicks: Top Higher Logic Competitor for Email Marketing

As part of the Personify suite, MemberClicks provides comprehensive membership management solutions tailored to associations, chambers, and nonprofits. Its platforms, MC Professional and MC Trade, streamline administrative tasks while enhancing member engagement.

As a top alternative to Higher Logic for email marketing, MemberClicks offers integrated tools for creating personalized email campaigns that improve communication and retention. Additional features include CRM functionality, dues management, event management, website content systems, and add-ons like online learning tools and mobile apps. This combination is a versatile choice for organizations seeking a holistic solution.

Key Features:

  • Email list segmentation
  • Scheduling and automation capabilities
  • Email personalization based on member profile data fields like names and renewal amounts
  • CRM integration to automatically archive communication history in member profiles
  • Email marketing performance reports

Pricing: MC Professional starts at $4,500 annually for individual member organizations. MC Trade starts at $3,500 annually for trade organizations and chambers. Specific pricing is based on organization size and functionality needs.

Wild Apricot: Best Higher Logic Alternative for Tight Budgets

Wild Apricot is a cloud-based membership management software designed for small associations, nonprofits, and clubs. It offers an integrated suite of tools for managing memberships, events, websites, and payments at a competitive price point compared to Higher Logic. While Higher Logic focuses on community engagement and marketing automation for larger organizations, Wild Apricot caters to smaller organizations seeking an all-in-one solution for membership and event management.

Key Features:

  • Drag-and-drop website builder with mobile-friendly themes
  • A cloud-based member database
  • Online payment processing, invoicing, and receipts
  • Event management, including custom registration forms and event listings
  • An email marketing system
  • A built-in online store to sell products

Pricing: Prices start at $60/month for organizations with 100 contacts or fewer and scale up to $900/month for organizations with 50,000 or more contacts. Pre-pay for a year and get a 10% discount, or pre-pay for two years and get a 15% discount.

Start Building Your Community

Higher Logic is an all-in-one solution, but it’s not the best fit for every organization. Depending on your unique needs, other platforms may offer more suitable features, better pricing, or enhanced flexibility. Whether you’re focused on event management, community building, or streamlined integrations, the Higher Logic alternatives we’ve covered provide strong options to explore.

For those seeking stronger member engagement through events and branded online communities, Tradewing is the optimal choice. With intuitive event management and resource hosting capabilities, Tradewing helps organizations create vibrant and active member communities that boost renewal rates.

As you narrow down your options, explore these resources to learn more about effective member management:

7 Leading Hivebrite Alternatives To Power Your Organization

/0 Comments/in /by

Hivebrite might be a big name in the community platform space, but is it the right fit for you? Building a thriving community is no easy feat, and the platform you choose can either make or break your efforts. As a community manager or other association leader, your responsibilities are vast: from fostering engagement and continuously strategizing for retention to ensuring a positive user experience and measuring the impact of your efforts. Balancing these duties requires tools that make your job easier—not harder.

While Hivebrite is a popular choice, it’s not your only option. Whether you’re seeking different features, better pricing, or greater flexibility, plenty of Hivebrite alternatives are available. The key is finding a platform that lets you focus on what matters most: growing and sustaining a vibrant community.

To guide your efforts, we’ll break down the strengths and weaknesses of Hivebrite and its competitors. Here are the platforms we’ll cover:

Platform Key Features Best Alternative For
Tradewing Member management, online communities, event management, website builder, email marketing Member Engagement and Online Communities
Discourse Channels for real-time chat, AI integration, customizable user interfaces, moderation tools, open-source discussion Open-Source Discussion
Kajabi Online course creation, community spaces, email marketing, podcast creation, analytics dashboard Content Monetization
MemberPress Online courses, coaching services, membership sites, transaction and invoicing WordPress Users
Mighty Networks Customizable branding, content hosting, flexible course delivery, member subscriptions, event hosting Content Creators
Slack Real-time messaging and channels, file sharing, advanced search, customizable notifications Real-Time Messaging
TidyHQ Contact management, task tracking, financial management, event registration, customizable branding Clubs and Small Organizations

Ready to identify the ideal platform to foster connections without compromising on your needs or budget?

 

What is Hivebrite used for?

Hivebrite is a community engagement platform that’s packed with powerful features for building a branded private online community. It’s particularly popular among alumni associations, educational institutions, nonprofits, NGOs, and membership organizations. Hivebrite’s all-in-one solution combines member management, branded communities, event organization, networking tools, and analytics to build interactive communities.

A mockup of Hivebrite's networking capabilities

Key Features of Hivebrite

  • Branded Online Community: Create a platform that reflects your brand with logos, colors, and fonts. You can also create a mobile app that mirrors the web experience.
  • Engagement Tools: Engage members with discussion forums, activity feeds, newsletters, and gamification. They can also search for other members to connect with based on interests, skills, and location.
  • Content Management: Build a digital hub for publishing articles, announcements, and updates.
  • Membership Management: Access tools to manage member profiles, subscriptions, and access permissions.
  • Event Management: Organize and promote your events with tools like ticketing and registration and in-platform virtual events.
  • Monetization Options: Access built-in tools for fundraising, collecting donations, securing sponsorships, and managing paid memberships.
  • Integration and API Access: Access integrations with popular tools like CRM systems, payment gateways, and email marketing platforms.

 

Reasons To Look At Hivebrite Alternatives

While Hivebrite is a compelling option, it’s not the best community management solution for every organization. Depending on your specific needs, there are several reasons you might explore Hivebrite competitors, such as:

  • Scalability for Smaller Organizations: If your organization is not enterprise-level or is just starting out, you may need a platform that grows with you without incurring high upfront costs. Some alternatives offer more scalable pricing and functionality tailored for smaller or mid-sized communities.
  • Budget-Friendly Options: On a similar note, Hivebrite’s pricing might exceed your organization’s budget. Many alternatives deliver comparable features at a more accessible price point.
  • Targeted Solutions: Hivebrite excels as an all-in-one platform, but not all organizations need a comprehensive solution. If your focus is on a particular use case—such as managing events, professional networking, or providing educational resources—a specialized platform might better address your needs.
  • Concerns About Support and Missing Features: Feedback from some users points to challenges with technical support, as well as gaps in certain desired features like external reports and mentoring capabilities. If responsive support and specific functionalities are critical for your community’s success, it’s worth exploring alternatives with strong reputations in these areas.

TL;DR: Here’s a chart with the pros and cons of Hivebrite:

While Hivebrite remains a popular choice, these considerations highlight the importance of exploring other platforms to ensure you find a solution that perfectly aligns with your unique needs and goals. Let’s explore leading Hivebrite competitors, so you can set your community up for long-term success.

 

Tradewing: Best Hivebrite Alternative For Member Engagement

Tradewing is a modern community platform designed specifically for associations and professional organizations. It focuses on fostering member engagement through intuitive event management, content sharing, and an interactive online community for networking. With features like targeted email marketing and robust analytics, Tradewing helps organizations streamline communication and deliver personalized experiences to their members.

Its user-friendly design and versatility make it a strong Hivebrite alternative for associations looking to strengthen connections and drive member value.

Advanced Member Management

From onboarding members to securing renewals, Tradewing empowers you to create an unparalleled member experience. Create a seamless application process and offer compelling membership packages.

Automated renewal management cuts down on manual outreach by gentling nudging members to make their payments. Flexible payment options empower members to pay however fits their financial needs. You can also set custom grace periods, so members won’t lapse in their benefits if they’re a few days late on their payment.

Online Communities

When asked why they joined an association, members said their top reasons were networking, continuing education, and accessing specialized information (The 2024 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report). In other words, networking and learning opportunities are primary motivations for joining an association.

Tradewing empowers you to meet those needs by creating an interactive online community. Your private branded community will give members access to professional resources, live discussions, networking opportunities, tailored groups, and more. The platform is mobile-friendly, empowering members to connect from wherever they are. They can also tap into filtering and following tools to control the content and conversations they see.

From an administrative perspective, you can monitor member engagement and maintain a safe community with powerful moderation tools.

Easy-To-Use Website Builder

Launch a stunning, branded website within minutes. Our website builder offers pre-made templates to build your site, and the drag-and-drop tools make it easy to get your website up and running with no coding necessary.

Customize your site to reflect your organization’s unique identity with flexible design options and branding tools. Have complete control over who accesses your site with public and members-only pages, ensuring that both members and visitors see the right information.

Robust Event Management

Events are a great way to encourage networking and engage members, so Tradewing helps you host in-person, online, and hybrid events. Tap into powerful event management features like:

  • Flexible Event Formats: Host a variety of event types, including in-person meetups, virtual webinars, and hybrid conferences. Tradewing ensures a smooth experience for attendees by integrating tools for live streaming, on-site coordination, and hybrid engagement to maximize participation.
  • Registration and Ticketing: Use customizable registration fields to collect event-specific data, such as dietary restrictions or t-shirt sizes. You can also set capacity limits, set up promo codes, and vary pricing based on membership type.
  • Automated Notifications: Send automated digest emails to inform users of upcoming events, so you can boost attendance.
  • Expanded Reach: Open events to non-members to boost attendance, revenue, and potential new memberships.

Keep attendees engaged after your event, too. You can provide access to recordings and ongoing discussions, fostering ongoing community interaction.

Powerful Email Marketing

Emails generate approximately 28% of all online fundraising revenue, so make the channel a central part of your marketing with our user-friendly email tools. Tradewing offers essential communication features, such as:

  • Audience Segmentation: Utilize list segmentation to target specific member interests and preferences, ensuring relevant and personalized communications.
  • Automated Digest Emails: Effortlessly create and send automated digest emails to keep members informed about the latest news and events within your association.
  • Performance Analytics: Monitor and measure the success of your email campaigns with built-in performance reporting, helping you understand what content resonates with your audience.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulations such as CCPA and GDPR through opt-out tools and tracking settings. That way, you’ll maintain respectful and meaningful member relationships.

These tools seamlessly connect with popular email marketing marketing platforms, so you can maximize your communication. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Check out how real associations leverage Tradewing.

Other Hivebrite Alternatives To Power Your Organization

Let’s look at other Hivebrite competitors who offer unique features, competitive pricing, and tailored tools to meet the specific needs of different communities.

Discourse: Best Open-Source Discussion Platform

Discourse powers more than 20,000 online communities. It’s a completely open-source discussion platform designed to create engaging online forums and communities. Known for its customizable features and active developer community, it’s an excellent choice for organizations seeking a flexible, self-hosted solution. With features like threaded conversations, moderation tools, and integrations with popular tools, Discourse is ideal for fostering transparent discussions.

Key Features:

  • Channels for real-time chat
  • AI integration to enhance usability and moderation
  • Customizable user interfaces
  • Moderation tools
  • Open-source for maximum customization

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: Organizations or communities looking for a lightweight, customizable solution

Kajabi: Top Hivebrite Competitor for Content Monetization

Kajabi is ideal for creators who prioritize building courses, selling digital products, and integrating those into a community space. It’s tailored for entrepreneurs, educators, and influencers looking to monetize knowledge or expertise alongside fostering community engagement. This is a strong alternative to Hivebrite for organizations or individuals focused on monetizing digital courses and products while building an engaged community.

Key Features:

  • Online course creation and hosting
  • Community spaces
  • Email marketing and automation
  • Podcast creation tools and integrations with hosting platforms
  • Analytics dashboard

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: Course creators and educators who want an integrated solution

MemberPress: Top Hivebrite Competitor for WordPress Users

MemberPress is a membership plugin for WordPress designed to monetize your membership site with ease. Sell online courses and accept both credit cards and digital wallets. You can also control who can access your content, ensuring a secure member experience.

Key Features:

  • Online courses with flexible content options
  • Coaching services with tools like scheduling, client management, and content delivery
  • Subscription-based membership sites
  • Transaction and invoicing with integrated payment solutions

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: WordPress users creating membership-based websites

Mighty Networks: Best for Content Creators

Mighty Networks is a community platform that empowers creators and brands to build and monetize their communities across all devices. It offers flexible, no-code tools like customizable Spaces for courses, events, and social interactions, along with integrated livestreaming and event hosting features. The platform supports monetization through subscription models, one-time payments, and bundled offerings, enabling hosts to generate revenue while fostering community engagement.

Some organizations find the platform’s features and payment options limited or the interface unintuitive. Consider these alternatives to Mighty Networks if you want a similar platform with comparable features and simpler navigability.

Key Features:

  • Customizable branding
  • Content hosting for video, audio, and documents
  • Flexible course delivery with drip schedules and timed/sequential content releases
  • Member subscriptions and monetization options
  • Event hosting and live streaming

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: Creators, educators, and organizations prioritizing online courses and memberships

Slack: Best Hivebrite Alternative For Real-Time Messaging

Slack is an effective platform for fostering community engagement, providing a space where members can connect and share ideas in real-time. Organized channels allow for focused discussions on specific topics, while direct messaging enables one-on-one interactions. Its extensive integrations with tools like Zoom, Google Drive, and event management platforms make it easy to host virtual events, share resources, and streamline communication. Slack’s intuitive design and features like custom emojis, polls, and notifications make it a dynamic choice for building active communities.

Key Features:

  • Real-time messaging and channels
  • File sharing and integrations
  • Advanced search functionality
  • Mobile app with customizable notifications

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: Smaller, chat-focused communities and teams

TidyHQ: Best Alternative Alternative For Clubs

TidyHQ is an all-in-one membership management platform designed to streamline administrative tasks for organizations of all sizes. It offers tools for managing memberships, events, meetings, and finances, enabling efficient communication and coordination among team members. With features like online ticketing, individual inboxes, and a simple website builder, TidyHQ helps organizations enhance member engagement and grow their communities.

Key Features:

  • Member and contact management
  • Task tracking and meeting management
  • Financial management, including invoicing
  • Event registration and payments
  • Customizable branding

Good Hivebrite Alternative For: Small organizations and local clubs looking for a lightweight community management tool

Choose Your New Community Platform

Hivebrite has set the standard for community platforms, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If there’s an alternative that better suits your needs, go with that one! By choosing the right Hivebrite competitor, you’ll fuel organizational growth and develop a tight-knit community that collaborates and stays loyal to your association.

If community engagement is your goal, Tradewing is an effective choice for fostering meaningful connections and streamlining member engagement. With features like integrated event management and branded online communities, it empowers associations to create vibrant, thriving membership bases while driving long-term value for members.

As you continue your search for the right platform, check out these educational resources: