The Association Forum of Chicagoland’s Forum magazine is now available in a “digital edition” format—akin to a PDF but enhanced, allowing readers…

You need specialized staff to do the specialized work of a truly effective website. This overview of Web skills and disciplines will help you rethink…

Perk up your public relations with sure-to-please suggestions from fellow association communicators for better social media, special events, and…

Going digital has hidden hazards. Here's how to avoid creating content that some members can't read, search engines can't find, or hackers might

Some 43 million Americans have smartphones. To get them engaged in your association, remember the importance of relationships, build in interactivity,…

Although they're easy for you to post, PDFs can give your website's visitors a major pain. One usability expert calls PDFs "the monster from the

As if consistency in editorial style weren't hard enough, the ever-changing nature of computer terms adds an entirely new set of style and spelling…

You might not consider your e-newsletters and marketing emails to be "spam," but the FTC's regulations stemming from the CAN-SPAM Act apply…

Sometimes you can't start your publication how you first envisioned it, but you have to do it anyway. Here are a few tips to keep in mind from someone…

Envelope errors, paper stock predicaments, and postal perils that associations like yours could head off—if you'd only involve the mailhouse…

Purpose, readiness, experimentation, and practice. When applied to integrating social technologies such as wikis and blogs to association management…

Please join us for a conversation with Gina Acosta as she provides a glimpse of the interior workings at one of the most influential newspapers in…

A case study in how one association brought history to life for its 75th anniversary with plenty of planning, private funding, and a strong emphasis…

Get a few pointers on how to write, in print and online, for the surprisingly large number of lower-literacy adults. The techniques may help everyone…

If you've worked in public relations since before the dawn of the digital age, you got your first clue about the future a decade ago in The Cluetrain…

Combine a witty board chair, interesting locations, and a big ol' RV, and what do you get? The National Association of Convenience Stores' "Road

The web-savvy staffers of ABA Journal spent a year improving their multimedia skills for its Legal Rebels project. Editing podcasts, posting video,…

The Lift One program benefiting poor families and children around the globe realized the potential of grassroots campaigning and other internet tools…

Learn more about the Enterprise Wireless Alliance's newest nondues generator and membership recruitment and retention strategy: an online buyers'…

Publishers face an ethical dilemma when the power of the pen can be used for good and evil.

Learn some tips for taking existing benefits, reworking them, and delivering them in a new way.

Learn some tips for taking existing benefits, reworking them, and delivering them in a new way.

Ready or not, the rates and regulations are changing again, with one set of changes beginning in May and another coming in November. Here's how to…

This is your one-stop resource for meeting your members' needs via online tools. This compendium of carefully selected article reprints will help…

In the electronic age, the trend is to convert more and more communication vehicles to the Web. The benefits are many including reduced costs, faster…

By following some simple cost-saving tips and exercising good judgement, you can produce a professional video on a limited budget.

Position Description: Uses specialized computer software packages to produce high quality publications via multiple media platforms, including…

And do your listserver participants put you at legal risk? This quick guide will help you understand and then avoid the online copyright issues you…

The ROI of email marketing is higher than both web-only and print forms. With knowledge about the best days and times to send emails and the best…

The Marble Institute of America is meeting demands from both members and nonmembers—while decreasing publishing costs—by offering downloadable individual…

Do your electronic communications match your editorial voice?

Position Description: Evaluates and edits to-be-published content, such as those included in the organization’s magazine, newsletter, journal,…

Position Description: Works as an administrative assistant for the editorial staff. Responsibilities may include some desktop publishing,…

Position Description: Responsible for one or more aspects of the association's publications, including writing, copyediting, and proofreading;…

Writing content for the Internet is different from developing a traditional communication piece. Use these 10 tips to make your online copy useful…

Add pizzazz to your Web site content, and keep readers coming back by tailoring your writing for the Web.

From a leader in the field, a last blog: "Navigating the 'Seven Cs' of Association Publishing, Part I"

Learn more about using communications skills to recruit members, building community online, and managing Gen Y employees with the help of smart marketing…

If you've ever wished someone would point you to blogs related directly to your own work, this quick guide is for you. This month's featured blogs…

In this month's selection of blog posts that pertain to you, review SEO basics, ponder dire predictions about email, and view a video about publishing's…

GREEN: The Paperless Newsletter from the AAOS Green Team (Vol 1, Issue 13) is a regular e-publication sent to staff by the American Academy of Orthopaedic…

Though you probably believe your association's website has been designed in a manner that is easily navigable and user-friendly, it may be harder…

In February, one direct-marketing consultant posed questions to association professionals about how they open, read, and use direct marketing messages.…

Your website may be everything you always wanted, but how does it translate on the small screen? What you need to keep in mind for your member on…

Plan ahead to make sure your members love your publication or website’s new design as much as you do.

Position Description: Designs or creates graphics that convey the overall image and look for products and services. Develops commercial or…

Smartphone applications get all the glory, but the power and reach of text messaging is unparalleled. Associations that use text messaging wisely…

The answer is probably "not very," unless you have a solid strategy to prevent outsiders from using your material without permission or payment.

Have you ever considered a joint publishing effort with a related group? Learn how an umbrella organization created a new magazine to meet the combined…

As "going green" moves into the mainstream of business, it's more important than ever that associations seek ways to reduce their environmental impact.…

Use the power of your software and of effective storytelling to hold participants' attention so they'll actually learn what your webinars teach.

Some new media surge in popularity and then quickly disappear. Others really are around for the long haul, or at least long enough to make a difference…

If your association magazine or journal is one of your best member benefits (if not the best), why not put it in front of potential members…

Associations Now editors share behind-the-scenes perspectives on the work that went into bringing you this month's issue.

Editors share their stories from putting together this issue.

Like the art of conversation, the art of interviewing takes skill and practice. Here's how to apply those skills to the challenge of uncovering stories…

With this unique nuts-and-bolts toolkit, any organization--no matter your size or planning experience--can succeed in designing, planning, and implementing…

Differentiate between print and online publications to draw readers to your online content.

Should you invite your members to design your logo? Should you forget about providing your directory on old-fashioned paper? Listserv participants…

Do you wonder whether your volunteer leaders are reading the e-newsletters you send to them on a regular basis? Learn how your colleagues have redesigned…

In a sampling of three recent listserver discussions, association communicators tell all about how they measure the writing skills of potential staff,…

Your communications colleagues contemplate how to explain social networking to the clueless, sell more ads than the competition, and monitor milestones…

Every meeting planner has a horror story about a speaker's PowerPoint presentation that crashed the onsite computer and had to be reworked at the…

Your colleagues discuss translation company referrals.

Are print publications obsolete tree wasters or the medium of choice when you want to convey truly valuable information?Communicators argue the…

Web stats are only valuable when they enable you to take action toward association goals.

The difference between serif and sans-serif fonts is more than just aesthetic. Readers perceive messages in these two types of fonts differently,…

How one association turbocharges its communications with techniques as new as YouTube and as old as good storytelling.

To open busy readers' eyes to the value of your e-newsletter, focus on the details. Tailor your subject lines, monitor your metrics to pinpoint popular…

Wish your association could penetrate the big-time news outlets? These savvy strategies will help you make the most of the natural assets nearly

One small-staff association shares how it got to know its members closely in order to tailor its communication to their needs.

The mobile phones that your members carry around 24/7 are growing more and more versatile every day. Now is your chance to connect and engage with…

Use a publication redesign as an opportunity to create stronger editorial content and provide more targeted information.

Consider your goals, audience, and resources before deciding to make the switch from a print to an online directory.

Here's what to consider before launching an HTML-formatted electonic newsletter.

Learn how the American Society of Civil Engineers manages to derive 35 percent of its publications revenue from non-U.S. customers.

In a recent awards ceremony, the Center for Plain Language used a no-holds-barred approach to highlight the best and worst communication in documents…

An enterprising association shows how to leverage social networking tools to promote your events. You'll be amazed at the interest you can build

Save 20% off the list price of $24.95 during the winter book sale.

Professional journalism expertise tailored for writers and editors! Special…

HTML-formatted newsletters: a mine of customer information and a powerful marketing tool.

Be prepared to interact with your markets in fresh ways through search engines and social media including blogs, wikis, and video.

As online video continues to grow as a medium, it means videographer, director, and video editor are all new hats for an association…

As electronic publishing matures, associations are finding that online and print complement each other. Find out how the two media are working togethe…

Your association's print publications likely eat up a huge portion of your budget. Use new technology to your advantage to save money on your print…

If your members think your association’s magazine is out of touch and nothing more than a house organ, it’s time to tear it up. Some publishing pros…

In the rush to move publications online, how do associations know what mix of print and electronic publications will meet their members' varying

When you go to the grocery store, what if there were an aisle just for you, with the all your favorite food in one place? In the virtual realm, this…

Partnering with a group similar to your own can mean big savings overall.

In addition to a summary of major findings, this useful benchmarking tool contains over 50 tables of data covering the areas of public relations,…

Despite many predictions to the contrary, direct marketing is not dead. In fact, recent advances in technology are breathing new life into the marketing…

Position Description: Performs tasks related to publications, such as proofreading, phone inquires, and maintenance of publication resource…

Position Description: Directs the periodical and non-periodical publishing activities of the organization.

Extracted from the Association…

If your slides look more like big blocks of text than key points vividly presented, it’s time for a change. Here are five ways that graphics can

More than just a book, this resource is a system for a total news program. Learn how to spread the news about your organization using newsletters,…

Don't be afraid to try your hand at podcasting - and attract new, younger audiences to your organization.

For better or worse, an economic recession is a newsworthy topic. Your association should take the opportunity to both reinforce its value to members…

Forget about static web pages—today's web is two way. Two point oh, in fact. And your association can be a big part of the conversation.

The U.S. Postal Service adjusted its rules for postal discounts in November, and you may be missing out on significant cost savings. Learn how carefully…

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand’s cost-cutting effort didn’t just save money. It also built a more cohesive staff culture.

Go behind the scenes for a peek at how four associations used insightful surveys, dazzling design, smart technology, and telling metrics to win applause…

Before you agree to publish a newspaper at your annual meeting, here's what you need to know about setting goals, anticipating expenses, and managing…

Today’s readers have no patience with rambling writing. These before-and-after examples will help you learn to say more in fewer words.

Society for American Baseball Research's publishing program

Associations may need to reassess their publications upon reviewing the Supreme Court's stance on copyright violations in e-databases and other media.…

Why launching a new program, service, initiative—anything—at an annual meeting requires more than PowerPoint and confetti.

We're eight years in to the 21st century. Can association marketing pros finally get with the times? If you're frustrated with traditional marketing…

Give your members more while spending less. Use online tools to create a shared network that lets you exchange resources with associations similar…

Is your online store more like an old-fashioned emporium than Amazon.com? Try these innovative ways to enhance the shopping experience while using…

More than 40 association PD professionals joined the call during the August Professional Development Virtual Lunch Date. Here's a recap of the discussion…

A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court sets the stage for associations and nonprofits to make their voices heard on the airwaves during the 2008…

One association's gradual approach to creating an online magazine that complements the print publication and meets members' needs.

Where do most convention dailies end up? They usually can be found in the trash or stuffed at the bottom of tote bags. Your colleagues suggest strategies…

NAFSA: The Association of International Educators doubled its publication's page count, increased its ad revenue, and upped its frequency—all in

Publishing to personal digital assistants provides convenient access to information, but are your members ready for this technology? Consider whether…

Work with the media to get your message across.

Content is king. What you say online and how you say it might just be the most important communication your organization does, yet some places still…

Here's a close-up look at a new approach to the old problem of getting noticed, complete with templates. Plus, check out seven tips for maximizing…

Executives whose associations are in various stages of publishing online discuss the implications financial and otherwise of such a move and how

If you've ever considered translating your publications into one or more foreign languages, make sure you know the key challenges you'll face. One…

The more you know about the characteristics of paper, the better able you will be to save money and ensure a high-quality printing job.

Extend the lives and appeal of your print magazines and newsletters by engaging readers through interactive online techniques. Association publications…

Ten tips for building member community via Second Life. Plus: Close-Up: How One Association Uses Second Life

Now that the 2008 awards have been announced, two insiders explain what made the best entries stand out and why there wasn't a winner in every category.…

In case you haven't noticed, the cost of mailing your magazine or newsletter just shot up. Here's why—and what you can do about it.

There’s more to the post office’s recent changes than rate hikes. By adjusting your mailings’ shape and size, you can moderate—or even decrease—your…

To encourage visitors to register for your website and come on in, maybe you need to think more about their need for easy access and less about your…

If your association wants to rule the internet—or at least the sector of the internet that relates to your industry or profession—remember that original…

If you want to create a mood, set the stage, or just get attention, video is hard to top. Here, a veteran video manager talks about the keys to success,…

A campaign that both engages members and helps the environment. Nancy Brewer, communications director of Delta Zeta Sorority, describes its multifaceted…

Instead of getting cranky about the critics in your organization, it's time to embrace them. Responding to complaints productively requires strong…

A self-service website can be a dream come true for both members and staff. To make that dream a reality, communicators must learn to write FAQs