Engagement is key when it comes to community building.

While events, benefits, and resources are crucial, there's a simple yet powerful tool that's often overlooked: member spotlights. These brief profiles are an excellent way to show appreciation, help members connect, and keep everyone engaged. The best part? They're super easy to put together!

Let’s discover what member spotlights are, why they're important, and how to create them. We'll also share 40 questions you can ask your members and a customizable template to inspire you.

Key Takeaways

• Creating member spotlights boosts community engagement and demonstrates value. These profiles foster connections, inspire participation, and demonstrate appreciation for members' contributions.
• Utilize diverse formats for member spotlights to maximize reach and impact. Consider written profiles, video interviews, social media posts, and podcast segments to cater to different member preferences.
• Follow a structured process to develop effective member spotlights. Select diverse members, conduct thoughtful interviews, craft engaging content, and strategically promote the finished profiles.
• Ask a mix of professional and personal questions to create well-rounded spotlights. Cover areas like background, career achievements, community involvement, personal growth, and future aspirations.
• Use customizable templates to streamline spotlight creation and ensure consistency. Tailor questions to your organization's needs and draw inspiration from successful examples in other associations.

What is a Member Spotlight and Why Does it Matter?

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A member spotlight is a feature that highlights the individual members of your organization. It's a way to recognize and celebrate their achievements, experiences, and contributions.

In the context of an association, a member spotlight can serve multiple purposes, including fostering a sense of community, encouraging engagement, and promoting the value of membership.

Before we jump into the how-to, let's explore why member spotlights are worth your time and effort:

• They create a sense of community and help members see the faces behind the names, fostering a deeper connection within your organization.
• When members see their peers featured, it often inspires them to become more active. They might volunteer for committees, attend more events, or even aspire to be featured themselves.
• People stay where they feel valued. By regularly highlighting members, you're showing that you appreciate and recognize their contributions.
• Spotlights give potential members a glimpse into your community. They can see the caliber of professionals involved and envision themselves as part of the group.
• Featured members often share their spotlights with their networks, expanding your organization's visibility organically.

Steps for Creating Member Spotlights

Now that we understand the "why" behind member spotlights, let's explore the "how." Creating compelling member spotlights involves several key steps, each crucial to the overall success of your initiative.

Step 1: Choose a Format

Member spotlights can take various forms, and the format you choose can significantly impact engagement. Consider your organization's resources, your members' preferences, and your overall communication strategy when deciding on a format.
Some popular formats include:

• Written profiles on your website or blog: These allow for in-depth storytelling and are easily shareable.
• Features in your email newsletter: Perfect for organizations with a strong email following.
• Video interviews: Ideal for capturing personality and creating a more personal connection.
• Social media posts: Great for quick, bite-sized spotlights that can reach a wider audience.
• Podcast segments: Excellent for organizations with an existing podcast or those looking to start one.

Don't feel limited to just one format.

A mix of formats can keep your spotlights fresh and cater to different member preferences. For example, you might do a written profile for your website, create a short video clip for social media, and include a condensed version in your newsletter.

Step 2: Select Members to Feature

The key to successful member spotlights is diversity. Your selections should reflect the breadth and depth of your membership base. This not only makes your spotlights more interesting but also ensures that different segments of your membership feel represented.

Consider a mix of new and long-standing members. New members can bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, while long-standing members can share valuable insights about the long-term benefits of membership.

Don't forget to include members from different sectors or specialties to highlight the diversity within your organization.
It's also impactful to feature members who have made significant contributions or have unique stories to tell. These spotlights can be particularly inspiring and engaging for your audience.

You can also consider creating a nomination process. This can be a great way to identify members who might not otherwise put themselves forward and can increase engagement with your spotlight program.

You might also consider reaching out directly to members who have been actively involved in recent events or initiatives. Remember, the goal is to create a well-rounded representation of your membership base over time!

Step 3: Conduct the Interview

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The interview is the heart of your member spotlight. Whether you're doing a written Q&A or a video interview, thorough preparation is key to getting the best results. Here are some tips for conducting effective interviews:

• Send questions in advance: This allows members to prepare thoughtful responses and feel more comfortable during the interview.
• For video interviews, do a tech check: Ensure good audio and video quality to create a professional final product.
• Start with easy, fun questions: This helps the member relax and can lead to more natural, engaging responses.
• Listen actively: Be prepared to ask follow-up questions based on the member's responses.
• Create a comfortable environment: Whether in-person or virtual, make sure the member feels at ease.

Remember, the goal is to let the member's personality shine through. While you want to maintain a professional tone, don't be afraid to let the conversation flow naturally.

Step 4: Craft the Spotlight

Once you've conducted the interview, it's time to shape it into a compelling spotlight. This is where you'll bring together all the elements to create a cohesive and engaging piece.

Start with a brief introduction that highlights key facts about the member to provide context. This could include their role in the organization, how long they've been a member, and any notable achievements.

As you write, keep the tone conversational and authentic, letting the member's voice come through. Structure the content logically, grouping related questions for a smooth flow. Don't be afraid to edit judiciously, trimming responses where needed, but be careful to maintain the member's voice and intent.

Visual elements can significantly enhance your spotlight. Include a high-quality photo of the member - this can greatly increase engagement with the spotlight. Consider using pull quotes to emphasize interesting points and break up longer text.

If you're creating a video spotlight, you might include b-roll footage or graphics to illustrate points the member makes.

Step 5: Share and Promote

Creating the spotlight is only half the battle. To maximize its impact, you need a solid strategy for sharing and promoting it.
Once your spotlight is ready:

• Publish it on your chosen platform(s): This could be your website, blog, or wherever you've decided to host your spotlights.
• Share it on social media: Tag the featured member to increase reach. Consider creating graphics with quotes from the spotlight for added visual appeal.
• Include it in your next newsletter: This ensures that even members who don't regularly visit your website will see it.
• Consider creating a dedicated "Member Spotlights" section on your website: This makes it easy for members and prospective members to browse all your spotlights.
• Encourage the featured member to share: Provide them with links and suggested text to make it easy for them to share with their network.

Don't limit promotion to just when the spotlight is first published. Consider ways to resurface older spotlights, perhaps themed around particular topics or tied to relevant events or initiatives.

40+ Questions to Ask in Member Spotlights

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To help you get started, here's a mix of professional and personal questions:

Background and Personal Information

• Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
• What's a fun fact about you that most people don't know?
• How did you first discover our community?
• What inspired you to join and become an active member?

Professional Life

• What do you do for a living, and how did you get into your current field?
• What's the most challenging aspect of your job, and how do you overcome it?
• Can you share a recent professional achievement you're proud of?
• How has being part of this community impacted your career?

Passions and Interests

• What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
• If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be and why?
• What's a cause or issue you're particularly passionate about?
• How do you like to spend your free time?

Community Involvement

• What's your favorite aspect of being part of this community?
• Can you share a memorable experience you've had within our community?
• How has your participation in the community evolved over time?
• What advice would you give to new members looking to get involved?
• What's a skill you've developed through your involvement in this community?
• Can you describe a time when the community helped you overcome a challenge?
• If you could create a new feature or event for our community, what would it be?
• What's the most surprising thing you've learned from other community members?
• How do you see the role of communities like ours evolving in the future?
• What's a common misconception about your profession or field of expertise?
• If you could swap jobs with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
• What's a goal you've set for yourself within the community for the coming year?

Personal Growth and Learning

• What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in the past year?
• Can you recommend a book, podcast, or resource that has greatly impacted you?
• How do you stay motivated and continue learning in your field?
• What's a skill or area of knowledge you're currently working on improving?

Future Goals and Aspirations

• What are your short-term and long-term goals, both personally and professionally?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• If you could change one thing about your industry or field, what would it be?
• What legacy do you hope to leave in your community or profession?

Advice and Insights

• What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
• If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your industry or field today?
• How do you maintain a work-life balance?
• What's a tool or technology you couldn't live without in your work, and why?
• If you could instantly become an expert in one area of your field, what would it be?
• What's a common industry practice you think will be obsolete in 10 years?
• If you could create a mandatory course for all professionals in your field, what would it teach?

Examples of Engaging Member Spotlights

To illustrate how these questions can be used effectively, let's look at a few examples of member spotlights from different membership organizations:

ANDE Member Spotlight

ANDE's Member Spotlight showcases stories of individuals and organizations within its network, highlighting their contributions to entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets. This initiative fosters a sense of community by celebrating members' achievements and sharing their unique experiences, which in turn encourages networking and collaboration.

By featuring these success stories, ANDE promotes the value of its members and strengthens organizational growth through increased visibility and engagement among stakeholders.

ICMA Member Spotlight

ICMA's Member Spotlight shines a light on the diverse experiences and achievements of its members, from career highlights to innovative projects. This feature helps build a strong community by recognizing the efforts of local government professionals and fostering a culture of learning and sharing.

It helps enhance member engagement and illustrates the impactful work being done within the organization, contributing to its overall growth and influence.

Create Your Member Spotlights with a Customizable Template

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With your core set of questions established, feel free to tailor the list by adding or removing items to suit your specific requirements. Once finalized, send the questionnaire to your chosen member for the spotlight feature.

To help you begin, here is a flexible, editable template for your first member spotlight.

If you’re seeking additional strategies to boost member engagement within your organization, consider exploring our comprehensive resource about creating a membership strategy plan template.

We're excited to see the member spotlights you produce!