1. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Member communications 2011: digital user survey with over 5,000 responses Members told us: they want to receive fewer emails from the Institution they prefer emails combining different sorts of information 87% preferred to receive one email per week or less 56% preferred a combined digest of all topics Members can opt to receive communications on Institution news, division or group events, regional events, commercial services, learning and development and membership upgrades.

2. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Regional newsletters trial  Three regions in the trial: Midland, Yorkshire and Merseyside and North Wales  Newsletters sent on Thursday of the second week of the month, to ensure enough notice for events  First newsletter sent 16 August, containing  September events in detail  a list of events in October  regional news  other Institution initiatives  ways to engage with the Institution

3. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Newsletter example

4. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Trial process Events placed on Near You Editor collates information from Near You Editor works with regions to confirm the event details and other content by 1st week of each month Content submitted to HQ and newsletters created Newsletters checked by regions, then sent out Regional contact and editor

5. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Measurement The trial’s success will be gauged by: Engagement statistics, plotted against other Institution emails: Number of emails opened Number of links clicked Overall engagement rate Event attendance How the process has worked for regional volunteers Feedback from members and volunteers

6. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering August statistics MNWMidlandYorkshire Sent2059 members5619 members3343 members Opens499 (24.1%)1511 (26.8%)847 (25.2%) Clickthroughs87 (4.2%)390 (6.9%)211 (6.2%) Forwards66223127 Engagement0.40.50.4 ‘engagement’ = based on Lyris algorithm which includes open, clickthrough and unsubscribe rates. The average Institution email engagement is 0.3–0.4. For September newsletter, sent 16 August

7. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Event descriptions on Near You could be more effective at engaging members Room for improvement? Divisional centres could be integrated more effectively into the process Near You must be kept up-to-date if it is to be used as the events database If any events are added to Near You after the newsletter submission deadline, the editor must be informed separately Members must be aware of the importance of registering for events

8. Improving the world through engineeringwww.imeche.orgImproving the world through engineering Next steps Future newsletters will be sent in September, October and November. Statistics and feedback will be collated and presented at RSB in December, where the project’s future will be assessed.