Give an incentive, such as a free gift, to members who renew by a certain date.
Have a renewal lottery.
Generate segmented and targeted renewal notices. Tell each segment how membership benefited them this year.
Send a special certificate of thanks to first-time renewals. The first two years produce the most drops. Focus hard on the first renewal.
Identify and recognize members with the most tenure. Sends a message that people stay a long-time.
Identify at least four specific contacts to make with first year members that are above and beyond the normal. Phone, fax or special newsletter.
Develop a written retention plan. Incl. Retention goals (retention rate, retention rates by category, % of drops that were first year members, activities to be undertaken, resources available to help, etc.
Do an e-mail survey of important questions and issues as they arise.
Establish an involvement committee. Purpose to get members to participate in some way.