You can have a powerful increase in membership even if your membership numbers are flat or declining! If your membership is currently growing at a steady pace you can create a “surge” in membership that will also help you keep your current momentum.
The excitement and energy that the Direct Drive process creates is contagious and even some of those members that “never get involved” will become great promoters of your Association’s benefits.
If you were sure that you could have a successful membership drive, add potential members that you have been “after” for years, increase retention of your current membership, increase your political “voice”, increase excitement and enthusiasm in your Association and generate thousands of dollars for your Association would you be interested?
If the answer is “yes” then keep reading…
The Direct Drive Membership System consists of a 5 to 6 hour training “workshop” at a central location of your choice. Each local Association can bring as many people to the “training” as they want. We have seen huge successes when a couple people have attended and when dozens from the same Association have attended. We recommend as many as possible. This fun, yes I said fun “training” day will not only give you and your local Associations everything needed (including workbooks and checklists) to insure a successful Direct Drive membership drive but will also give you tools and ideas you can use all year long to increase membership, retention and non-dues revenue.
P. 509.888.2226 / F. 509.888.2226 / Email
Why a DIRECTDrive?
“This was the largest, most successful drive to recruit new members in the history of the (Indiana) Builders Association. It was great to be a part of history in the making, and to share the enthusiasm with so many members as they grew their membership radically overnight. It was a terrific experience.”
Carlie, Member Services Dir, Indiana Builders Association, IN
“We had our board meetings last week, and the talk in every committee meeting was the membership drive and what a great thing it was for the association. Thank you for leading us through a terrific membership drive. We are so excited to have 2,397 new members, as well as new friends in The Oliver Group team. We appreciate all you did for us from the special mailings to the moral support you provided to all of us during the DIRECTDrive.”
Lorraine, Education Manager, Texas Association of Builders, TX
“DIRECT Drive is an awesome process. These guys know membership! I was blown away. On Day 2 at 3:00pm, we had 550 new members. Rob and Kate kept saying Wait and see, wait and see. By 5:30 we had 850 - 300 new members in two hours! The Oliver Group is the best. Following our DIRECT Drive at our Annual Convention, there was so much talk about the drive, membership and more drives to come. Thank you so much for making the Members in my State realize it can be done. The Oliver Group kicks BUTT!”
Steve, Association Services Director, HBA Mississippi
43 State Home Builder Associations across the country have recently added over 31,000 new members using a simple and fun membership drive process that GUARANTEES success!
10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent increases in membership are common when HBA’s use our proven formula and process.
What would just a five or ten percent increase in membership – in two days (not several months)
mean for your Association?
Skeptical Executive Officers, Membership Directors, Membership Chairs, Board Members and Presidents have all been amazed at the results their Associations have achieved – even in some of the “toughest” housing markets in the country.
“Those that were skeptics became believers - the believers were rewarded! To other Associations considering a DIRECTDrive, Go for it - it will be the best decision you make.”
Mike, Executive Officer, Oklahoma State HBA, OK
“Thank you, Rob and Kate, for everything that you did, have done, and will do for our State and local associations. I had many pessimistic members in the beginning and had to push really hard! You two were right on target with your foresight and wisdom of how to pull this off. I have never seen so much excitement in our local for two days straight. I have received a lot of credit for our local success and it all goes to you. I have taken you two out of the category of ‘business associates’ and placed you in my heart as FRIENDS. What you have done is an act of friendship, not business. Forever in your debt, Jim.”
Jim, Umpqua Valley HBA, OR
“The Michigan Association of Home Builders has completed its most successful membership drive in its history. During a two-day blitz this past week, nearly 600 new companies and organizations joined the Association. There has been tremendous consolidation and difficulty in the home building industry across Michigan over the past few years. Yet, as the results of this drive show, there is still much interest and hope that the homebuilding sector will make a comeback and grow and thrive in our great state.”
Bob, Michigan Association of Home Builders, MI
“Everything in the Drive Process was perfectly planned, forms were delivered right on time, and with great members, we were bound to do well. Our members worked so hard and proved themselves beyond expectations!! Everyone was in complete “AWE” at the number of new members (160% increase). The Staff at The Oliver Group was so gracious to work with. They were quick to respond to our needs and were excited for us – yes, it showed!!! Thank you!”
Jimmie, Executive Vice President, East Texas BA, TX
“The training was very informative and exciting and everyone was pleased with the whole process. We added 109 members during our DIRECT Drive…we had so much fun. It is a great tool to bring excitement and energy to your membership. We did!”
Helen, Executive Officer, HBA of Grayson, Fannin and Cooke Counties, TX
“It’s an amazing system! We increased our membership by 26% in two days and I STILL have applications trailing in. It was a great experience…a lot of work for staff, but it was worth it!”
Lisa, Membership Director, BIA Desert Chapter, CA
You too can have a membership drive that is so successful it will shatter previous national membership increase averages!
Do not continue reading this letter…
…if you do not want to increase your membership numbers substantially.
…if you do not want to eliminate the frustration, time, budget worries and uncertainty of the typical membership process.
…if the thought of investing a little time and energy for a short period of time to increase your membership substantially sounds like too much work.
…if you are afraid to add a significant number of new members because some of them might quit.
…if you really don’t care about who joins your Association.
Finally, do not read this letter if you do not want a powerful surge of enthusiasm, excitement and involvement by the members of your Association
My name is Rob Oliver from the Oliver Group LLC in Wenatchee, Washington. We may have met at a NAHB event over the last couple of years. We may have never met at all…
You and your local HBA’s can have an amazing increase in membership, lock in current members that are “sitting on the fence” about continuing their membership and increase your “political clout” substantially – all in a very short time with a relatively small amount of effort.
We have worked closely with over 425 Local HBA’s and have documented each and every membership drive and the results. We know what the average increase is (and should be) in every size classification not only by State HBA but by local as well.
“The Oliver Group knows what they’re doing when it comes to organizing a membership recruiting plan. We followed their directions and increased our membership by 49%. Rob’s humor made the training fun for everyone. Our increase in membership was more than we ever imagined we were capable of recruiting in 2 days!!! It was hectic, chaotic, but it was worth it.”
Linda, Executive Officer, BA Greater Lafayette, IN
“The training workshop was extremely well done! Rob & Kate stayed focused and covered everything.”
Barbara, Executive Officer, HBA of St Joseph Valley, IN
“The DIRECT Drive Training workshop was very impressive. We are usually the middle man on state initiated programs and that approach would not have worked very well on this drive. Thank you Oliver Group for your hands-on work with each of the locals.”
Lorraine, Education Manager, Texas Association of Builders, TX
“Rob & Kate did an excellent job. We left with so many ideas and energy - Thank you! The DIRECT Drive experience was an incredible amount of fun. It took a lot of energy but we got the right people with the right attitudes and our numbers are where we want them!”
Wendy, Admin Assistant, Finger Lakes HB&R, NY
“Everything was laid out for us which was great! All we had to do was follow the steps that were given to us. The emails were extremely helpful too! It was a great way to bring our members together. They all enjoyed the drive. We did not expect to bring in 180 new members…what a great surprise to us!”
Rebekah, Membership & Education Dir, Rochester AB, Inc, MN
In addition, many of the tools, processes and strategies that are covered at the “training” are transferable to any business or company. This means that your members that attend the “training” day will be able to go back to their businesses and apply some of what they learned to immediately increase their own bottom line!
Once the Direct Drive training is complete we will work with your State Association and local Association designated “Direct Drive Leader” for the next 30 to 45 days by phone, fax and email to make sure you have a successful Direct Drive.
Not less than thirty days or more than forty-five days after your Direct Drive training “workshop” you will actually have your own two day Direct Drive membership drive kicked of with a sixty to ninety minute party the day or night before…we call this process . . .
“A Party – Two Days – and a Party!”
Finally, around 5:30 pm on the second day of the drive there will be a short wrap-up party at each participating local Association celebrating their success.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does all of this cost?
There is a “per participating” local Association training day fee of from $450 - $1950 depending on Association size.
Each Association can bring as many attendees as they can. There is no “per attendee” fee. Beyond that, we receive $35.00 for each new member that signs up and pays during the Direct Drive.
“The drive is well worth the time and money. Not only did we bring in 82 new members, but we also had members help out that usually aren’t active.”
Katie, Membership Coordinator, HBA of Berks Co, PA
“We just did an Oliver Group membership drive and it was phenomenal. We estimated 300 new members but got 552! Not only did it bring in new members, but it brought enthusiasm and partnership to current members who worked together for a common goal. The EO’s said they never saw such teamwork on a project and everyone is pumped because of this.”
Doreen, Executive Officer, North Dakota Association of Builders, ND
What about incidental cost like party supplies?
We will show each local how to have member companies sponsor their drive (and be excited about it). Currently about 90% of the local Associations offset some or all of their expenses (including the Training fee) before their Direct Drive ever takes place.
What about the quality of members?
Because the Direct Drive process stresses using your current member’s sphere of influence the quality of members recruited during your drive tend to be kind of a mirror image of your current membership. If you have great members now you will simply get more just like them.
Will all the new members be Associate members?
Actually, in most cases the ratio of Associate members to Builder members that join during your drive tends to be very close to your current ratio because of the use of your members sphere of influence.
“Ultimately we got 32 new members – 17 Associates and 15 Builders!! Nationally there is an average of two associates for each builder. This is GREAT, 30% growth in two days is phenomenal!” “You delivered what you promised and delivered on time and on budget. The Oliver Staff is terrific, timely and most responsive.”
Ron, Executive Officer, Bristol Norfolk HBA, MA.
“A lot of work, but so incredibly worth it. I cannot stress enough of the importance of having volunteer leaders at the training. Without their buy-in and enthusiasm, we wouldn’t have been successful. Plus they backed up staff on the hard calls. An awesome experience for both volunteers and staff. Our association needed a great activity like this drive to get members excited again. The Oliver Group staff keeps you pumped!!!”
Tess, Assistant EVP, BIA of Lancaster County, PA.
“A Blast!! Lots of work, but well worth it. Communication was the key to keeping the involvement with all the locations. Your well thought out materials were professionally provided, your proven process worked for us even with the small size of our association. Thanks for your ?cheerleading?, it meant a lot to us. And we had 95 people attend our general meeting, we normally have 50. It was awesome!”
Melody, HBA SW Oregon, OR
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the retention rate for these new members?
Typically, the retention rate for these new members will be similar to your current retention rate for new members. It is important to remember that if your Association has an average retention rate of around 80% that is NOT the same retention rate you have for first year members. You should look at your records to determine your retention rate for first year members. NAHB research shows that the average retention rate across the country for first year members is approximately 45 – 55%. We have received comments of retention rates for new members signed up during the Direct Drive anywhere from 30 – 98%. Although, we don’t have control of an Association’s follow-up and retention plan we do share some very effective retention tools (and non-dues revenue) during the Direct Drive training.
Is there work involved?
Yes it takes some effort to have a successful Direct Drive. I wish we could come up with a process that requires no time, effort or energy. The great thing about the Direct Drive process is that it has a starting point and an ending point and is completely measurable. We take a years’ worth of effort, condense it into 30 -45 days and show you how to get your members involved so that no one person will be overwhelmed.
If we are interested, what do we do next?
Call or email me – Rob Oliver at the Oliver Group LLC – My contact information is below. I promise there will be no “arm twisting”.
I will give you the information you need to make a good decision. We only want to work with Associations that want to grow.
Our goal is to remove any financial risk for your State and Local Associations.
The average increase for all participating State Associations is currently between 20% and 25%.
What would just a 5% increase in membership – in 2 days – mean for your State Association?
Texas signed up 2,401 new members during their Direct Drive in 2007!
It would be great to hear from you soon if you are interested. We take your Direct Drive very seriously and spend an incredible amount of time preparing so that you really can have the most successful membership drive in the history of your State Association…
…it’s already happened for over 43 other State Associations!
Sincerely,
Rob Oliver
The Oliver Group LLC
P.S. You do not need to have every local Association in your State participate. We will supply you with any materials you need to help convince them to take part in the Direct Drive. Some states have had great success even when only a few locals participate.
Every Local and State Drive statistic is available:
How it Works!
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For Businesses
Associations that have increased
their membership by 100%
or more!
