Confession: I’m a consistent lurker of Association Chat, the chat that takes place on Twitter each week at 2 p.m. ET. Something often catches my eye so I go back later and check out the transcript.

This week was no different. The first half of this week’s chat focused on podcasts, specifically, whether they garner enough attention to continue producing.

Jeff De Cagna, the moderator of #assnchat, hosts podcasts that include discussions with thought leaders and pertain to innovation and associations. To gauge interest, he asked #assnchat participants how they felt about podcasts in general.

The responses were pretty varied.

Some people prefer to receive information visually and like to read. Others like podcasts, but often don’t have the time to listen to them. And some were avid podcast listeners.

I think, in many cases, podcasts can be extremely useful.

I recently moved within 3 miles of the office, so needless to say, my commute isn’t too long. But for awhile, I was driving 25 miles one-way to work five days a week. And in Atlanta traffic, that meant I spent at least 10 hours each week in my car.

Podcasts saved my sanity. I listened to all kinds – NPR, This American Life, sports-focused ones, marketing-centric ones, media-centered ones. For some reason, I found them easier to digest than audiobooks.

I did a little digging and found a few podcasts association and nonprofit professionals might be interested in.

Idealist.org produces podcasts about people making connections in their communities, along with interviews with nonprofit professionals.

Of course, Jeff De Cagna’s podcasts are geared specifically toward association professionals. He’s featured Charlene Li, Clay Shirky and Dan Pink, among numerous other thought leaders.

And Jeff Cobb’s podcasts aren’t specifically aimed at association professionals, but I think they’re valuable regardless. The author of the Mission to Learn blog, Jeff talked to thought leaders and authors about all kinds of topics that any professional can benefit from.

Perhaps your commute isn’t as long as mine was. Consider listening to them while you cook dinner or work. What about while you get ready in the mornings? Maybe they’re not your style. That’s OK. Podcasts can benefit lots of people; some prefer the more conversational style over blog posts.

If there were interest among your association’s members, would you ever consider producing your own podcast? The APTA’s podcast showed up in the iTunes store when I searched for “association” and narrowed it down to podcasts. They’re not very long in length; the ones I saw were all less than 20 minutes, and most were around 10 or 12. Just another way to share news and information with your members!

Of course, I’m not suggesting podcasts be your only source of communication. I think Shelly Alcorn said it best during #assnchat: “Capitalizing on learning styles could mean podcasting needs to be integrated with other pieces to be truly successful.”

Check out Audacity, a free tool that helps you edit audio files, if you’re interested in producing a podcast.

Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones?

I’m excited to make the official announcement that MemberClicks will be attending ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership’s 2010 Technology Conference and Expo! The event, which is in Washington, D.C., will last from Feb. 11-12. Representatives from MemberClicks have attended every year since 2000.

According to ASAE and the Center’s Web site, the showcase is “the premier and only technology conference that serves the association and nonprofit community.”

“We’re looking forward to meeting and interacting with our existing and potential customers and learning even more about their technology needs,” MemberClicks President and CEO Thomas Howard said.

The showcase has expanded its reach this year, adding educational programs geared toward small-staff associations. Since its founding in 1998, MemberClicks has championed small-staff organizations and created Web management solutions specifically targeted to best meet their needs.

“Small-staffs used to be so underrepresented, and we were the first to truly understand their specific needs,” Howard said. “We’re excited to be able to reach out to them at the showcase.”

Representatives from MemberClicks will be available during all expo time slots at Booth 326. Follow the hashtag #Tech10 on Twitter before, during and after the event to see what attendees and exhibitors are saying!

And check out the original press release at our Web site.

Data management can be difficult for associations — especially small-staff ones. There’s the problem of not having enough manpower, not having enough time to learn the ins and outs of the association management system, having to deal with too many types of software and of course, budget problems.

After taking his annual (non-scientific) survey of nearly 150 association professionals, Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management compiled his findings in “What’s Plaguing Associations- 2009.” All association professionals — no matter what size the staff — should read his article and take Trochlil’s thoughts and conclusions into account.

Twenty-three percent of respondents were most concerned with “data collection, management and integrity.” Members don’t always take the time to update their contact information or profiles, which, of course, is problematic when administrators need to contact people. This is a perpetual concern for associations and is something administrators will continue to face. It’s tricky to get members to realize the importance of an updated profile, but

Trochlil points out, “‘A directory is out-of-date the minute it hits the street.’” Just as a newspaper is out of date the second it hits the press, so too is your association’s directory. At meetings, do everything you can to impress upon your members the importance of keeping their profiles — especially their contact information — up-to-date. Perhaps offering small incentives to members who update their information would be a worthwhile addition. Associations should get rid of data that’s no longer usable.

With 21 percent of the response, the second greatest concern was how to handle “implementation and ugrades.” As more and more technology solutions for associations becomes available (and even more specialized), there are more options than ever — especially for small-staff associations. Sometimes too many options can be a bad thing (example: big restaurant menus freak me out), but more options and a thorough search can yield a vendor that’s the right fit for your organization.

Many vendors offer upgrades or additions to their product(s) several times a year, at little to no cost. Technology is always changing, and associations should take care not to let their software become even a little outdated. When considering a technology solution, take into account the amount, quality and price of upgrades and new releases. The fewer software tools you have to use (i.e. the more quality features your chosen technology solution has), the more effective your organization will operate.

This is part two of an ongoing series entitled “Tech Tips.” We’ll be sharing valuable tips and information about the importance and benefits of technology, as well as what to look for when selecting a vendor. The first post can be found here.

One of the greatest things about using an Association Management System (AMS) is the built-in support system. Most vendors offer training webinars, videos, documentation and even on-site visits to help you become more familiar with their technology. Your organization’s staff  should make it a priority to be as knowledgeable about your chosen Web solution as possible. Devote a specific amount of time to initial training, and down the road, you may not need as much support.

We think it’s vital to choose a Web solution that includes as much support and training as possible. We’ve got free webinars, an IDEAS forum, training videos and on-site training options to help your organization make the most of your membership management software.

No matter which AMS is right for your association, though, take into account the amount of included support when making your selection. It’s true that many AMS vendors have “best practices” for associations (such as recurring events or a career center) already build into the product, but it can be tricky to sort out exactly which ones are best suited for your organization. A dedicated support staff can help you during the early stages, and it’s wise to take advantage of the help.

A great Web presence can make your members more engaged and your organization more competitive. And the right technology choice can help you save time and money in the long run, allow you to put the focus back where it belongs — on your members.

From http://alphabettr.com/

This is part one of an ongoing series entitled “Tech Tips.” We’ll be sharing valuable tips and information about the importance and benefits of technology, as well as what to look for when selecting a vendor.

Web-based technology can be daunting for associations, especially those with fewer than nine people on staff (aka “small-staff associations”) who may have less time and resources to devote to an AMS. Although it does take some time to learn how to use the software, there are several benefits to “cloud computing” — using the Web for data management. There is no software to install or hardware to keep up with, and you can access your information from any computer. Since your data is available “in the cloud,” you can authorize as many administrators as you like. To be sure, Microsoft Excel and Access are valuable pieces of software, but when you’re managing several hundred or thousand members, plus other things such as dues payment and event registration, those tools can become a bit outdated and cumbersome.

There are many, many options for Web-based association management software. Most providers include disaster relief and data back-up in their plans, so there’s very little need to worry about losing your organization’s information. Support is often included in your monthly or yearly fee. The vendor staff should be knowledgeable about the product and be able to provide tons of support — your organization won’t even necessarily have to employ an IT staff. Because your technology vendor has multiple association customers, the vendor staff will probably be aware of best technology practices for associations, and work those into its product.

Managing your data “in the cloud” can help make your organization more efficient. There may some initial investments — not just money, but also your time — but know that the proper training can make a world of difference once you begin to use the software in your day-to-day life. And no matter which AMS you choose, you’ll likely be able to create new revenue streams, such as sponsorship or job board revenue.