The key elements below will help you create messages that resonate and motivate. You’ll find this and a plethora of additional membership marketing materials in the APA Divisions Digital Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement Resources.
American Psychological Association. (2026, January 30). Membership marketing resources: Membership recruitment emails. https://www.apa.org/about/division/digest/membership-matters/recruitment-emails
What makes a great membership email?
Create a subject line that pops
Keep it short (6–10 words max), spark curiosity, and avoid spammy language. Try questions or urgency: “Ready to Lead the Change?” or “Your Community Is Waiting…”
Personalized greeting and content
Use the recipient’s name and tailor the message to their interests or location. Also consider segmenting your list by role, engagement level, or past participation.
Clear value proposition
Highlight benefits like networking, exclusive resources, or impact. Use bullet points for skimmability:
- access to expert-led webinars
- member-only discounts
- volunteer leadership opportunities
Strong call to action (CTA)
Make it bold and specific: “Join Today for Early Access” or “Become a Member— Shape Tomorrow”
Mobile-friendly design
Use concise copy, and a clean layout, with responsive formatting. Use just one image or graphic.
If you have any questions or would like additional guidance as you apply these practices, please feel free to reach out to your Division Engagement Office liaison.