Setting the Stage for SMC Success

Upcoming SMC Workshop Calls

2/15: “Planning Successful SMC Programs and Events”

4/19: “How to Pack the House at Your Next IRM Course”

Phone Number: 888-891-0496 Passcode: 2668292

The NSMC Membership and Local Council Committee's held its first Call-In Workshop to give SMCs more opportunities to exchange ideas, grow their membership, liven up their education and awards programs, and grow.

Leah Stephenson of Greater Cincinnati and Peggy Brassfield of Lexington offered the following suggestions for new SMCs:

The Basics

• Don’t “reinvent the wheel.” When you are getting started, visit other SMCs in your area to pick their brain, find out what worked for them, and benefit from their experience and mistakes. Collect ideas from another SMC’s steering committee. Borrow another SMC’s by-laws, mission statement, and more. For a list of neighboring SMCs, check out the SMC Directory.
  
  
• Don’t be too extravagant or ambitious during your first year or two. A few education programs, social mixers, and cocktail receptions will suffice. Don’t over commit as your SMC is becoming established. 

Membership

• Don’t charge your members too much when starting. For social events, make it free or a minimal charge to cover only food and drink. These activities aren’t meant to be money-makers.
  
  
• Reach out to Realtors® in your area. Get your local Board of Realtors® involved. They, in turn, can invite their mortgage brokers, bankers, title companies, and others to join. It’s a great way to grow your membership in a hurry.
  
  
• Don’t forget your HBA’s builder members. Consider offering a Builder Roundtable where your SMC members can hear from local builders. It’s an ideal solution to educate your sales and marketing professionals and get builders to join your SMC.

Education

• Try to schedule at least one IRM or CSP course each year. You will benefit your members by offering them the opportunity to earn an NAHB designation. And your SMC will gain a reputation as a leading source of education and information. Promote these programs well in advance.

Communications

• Try to meet regularly. A bi-monthly meeting works well. Keep the time and dates consistent. You may want to consider a 10:00 a.m. meeting, which will remove the need for providing food.
  
  
• Communication is the key. Take advantage of your HBA’s Web site to post all of your SMC meetings and events. Or try sending out a jumbo postcard as an alternative to blast e-mails, which people often delete without reading. Only use e-mails as a final reminder, and not your primary mode of communication.
  
  
• Schedule a joint meeting/presentation with a neighboring SMC. This will build enthusiasm, particularly if your SMC members do business in more than one market.