Push notifications are one of the most powerful engagement tools available. Not just for associations like our clients, but for any company willing to create an app. So no matter the size of your association, timely, relevant mobile notifications help you stay top-of-mind with members and deliver value right to their pockets.
At MobileUp, we encourage our clients to think beyond the basics when it comes to notifications. They shouldn’t just be logistical reminders; they should be a core part of your engagement and retention strategy. In this guide to push notifications for MobileUp clients, we’ll go over how to use them and what to write/promote.
Why Push Notifications Work for Associations
Push notifications offer immediacy, visibility, and personalization that email can’t match. They:
- Drive members into your mobile app (and deeper into your community)
- Have 5x higher open rates than email
- Deliver information when and where it’s most useful
But they only work if they’re consistent, meaningful, and aligned with your members’ interests.
Strategic Best Practices for Notification Success
- Consistency wins: Make notifications part of your content calendar. 1-2 times per week is ideal. Incidental notifications like likes and comments will arise on their own.
- Always offer a tap-worthy link: Avoid dead-end notifications. Give them somewhere to go.
- Segment your audience: Use different messaging depending on the group you’re speaking to. Segments will differ by association, be they committees, career stages, or association roles.
- Use emojis strategically: One per message max to boost readability.
- Schedule in advance: The MobileUp console makes it easy to plan your push strategy – set it and forget it.
Use Case #1: Year-Round Member Push Notifications
We recommend membership-based associations send weekly or biweekly push notifications year-round. These don’t need to be flashy – just consistent, relevant, and value-driven. Here are some time-tested notification types you can try.
1. Content-Focused Notifications
The better the content, the more compelling the notification will be when it pops up on their phone. What makes a notification irresistible is that it points members to something worth their time.
(Need help generating well-researched, useful content for your members? MobileUp can help with that!)
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Tip of the Week/Content Highlights:
- Offer quick, industry-relevant advice.
- Invite them to read the full piece.
- ✨Leadership tip for nurses: 3 ways to improve shift handoffs. Tap to read.
- 🌟Coaches: Here’s one way to build resilience in your team. Tap to view.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Push the Whole Resource
- Push members to value the whole resource:
- 🔹New whitepaper on fintech compliance just dropped. Read it here.
- Your exclusive member toolkit: Tap to download your HR policy checklist.
- “🚀 New article in the app: [Headline]. Tap to read what it means for your role.”
2. Polls & Feedback Loops
Encourage micro-engagement by soliciting their feedback. You engage members and don’t have to make decisions all on your own – you have real-time access to their opinions.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Event city/venue/logistics:
- We’re planning our 2026 conference—what city would you prefer? Tap to vote.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Invite opinions and discussion:
- What resources do you want to see more of/find the most useful? Tap to vote.
3. Community Conversations
This type of notification helps you invite more user-generated content. And the best part of user generated content, is that the user is invested in how the world interacts with their contact. If they get a notification saying that a peer liked or commented on their post, it draws them right back into the app.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Nudge members into group discussions:
- 🚀The early career group is discussing pay transparency—weigh in!
- Have thoughts on licensure reform? Join the policy thread.
- What’s your biggest challenge this year? Tell us in the forum.
- New ‘Service Council’ group added. Go Join!
4. Member Spotlights
Most of our clients do member spotlights of some sort. Spotlights build social capital and make members feel seen.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Highlight individual members or groups:
- Meet Dr. Tameka Reyes, rural health advocate and this month’s member spotlight. Tap to read.
5. Continuing Education Nudges
Use scheduled notifications to remind members of continuing education deadlines and opportunities:
NOTIFICATION IDEA: CE Deadlines & New Courses
- 🔔CE deadline is 2 weeks away—have you logged your hours?
- New self-paced cybersecurity course just dropped. Earn 3 CE credits.
6. Association News
Keep members informed about what’s going on in the association with simple updates.
NOTIFICATION IDEA:
- ✨Curious about the board election results? See the winners here.
- 📅 Don’t forget: Our [webinar/event] is happening tomorrow at 2PM! Tap to RSVP.
- New group added! Learn more about the Committee of [name].
Event Use Cases: From Hype to Follow-Up
For associations who do events, we suggest a 3-phase push strategy:
1. Pre-Event: Excitement & Reminders
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Announcement, countdowns, perks, previews:
- Our annual conference will be on June 5th, 2026! Tap to register.
- Only 5 days until [Event]! Have you completed your [something they need to get done]?
- Session highlight: Don’t miss our keynote on AI in policy advocacy. Tap to learn more.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Speaker & sponsor spotlights:
- Speaker spotlight: James Keller on climate finance. Tap to preview.
- 🎁Visit Booth 204 for a free demo from [Sponsor] + giveaways!
2. During the Event: Useful or Fun Information
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Welcome
- Welcome to the annual MBA conference! Check-in with the app at the front gate.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Real-time logistics
- John Snow’s speech begins in 5 minutes in the main auditorium.
- 🚌Last shuttle to the dinner reception leaves in 10 minutes!
- Room change: The policy panel is now in Grand Ballroom B.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Social & gamification
- 🎉Photo scavenger hunt: Post your selfie at the welcome desk with #NACConf2025!
- Reminder: Fill out your session survey for a chance to win AirPods.
- 🎁Event raffle! Tap to enter now.
- Join our Happy Hour in the grand ballroom at 6pm.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Daily recaps
- “Here’s what you missed today + tomorrow’s can’t-miss sessions. Tap to view.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Sponsored messages
- Offer notification real estate to your sponsors within your sponsorship packages.
- Don’t forget to claim your free week of [service] from [sponsor].
3. Post-Event Follow-Up
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Gratitude and follow-through
- 🙏Thank you for attending! Session recordings are now available.
- What did you think of [Event]? 2-min survey here.
NOTIFICATION IDEA: Invite members to post to event feed
Have pictures and thoughts from the event? Post them now!