Did you know that according to recent studies, Gen Z and millennials currently make up approximately 38% of the global workforce and this percentage will rise to around 58% by 2030?

This means that if your association or union isn’t actively shifting the way you’re attracting and communicating with members, you might get left behind.

A well-designed, easy-to-use and relevant mobile app can help you not only attract but also keep younger members actively involved.

Meet Expectations and Stay Relevant

Due to social and technological change, younger generations expect immediate access to information on the go. Mobile apps provide the ideal platform, ensuring constant connectivity and easy access to relevant content. For unions and associations, embracing mobile apps becomes more than a necessity; it’s a strategic move to align with the expectations of the younger demographic.

Designing for Engagement

The younger generation is tech-savvy and exposed to various apps every day. The fast-paced nature of their lives demands an intuitive approach—complex app structures risk losing a new member’s interest immediately. Adopting a design that feels familiar and similar to popular apps, unions and associations can streamline navigation, making content readily accessible and engagement seamless.

Focused On-the-Go Information

In today’s mobile-centric world, younger generations expect information to be readily available. You want an app that can deliver relevant and focused content at the moment when the member needs it most. Push notifications play a pivotal role in keeping users informed and engaged and help you meet the expectations of an audience accustomed to instantaneous access.

Staying Connected

Younger generations are passionate and vocal about the social causes they care about. Studies show that nine in 10 Gen Z respondents reported being passionate about a social cause, with younger members of Gen Z being more passionate about many causes.

A mobile app gives your association or union the chance to stay connected on the matters that younger members care most about. Push notifications become a powerful tool to cultivate engagement, ensuring they feel connected and involved.

Feedback and Community Building: Amplifying Voices

Younger generations value their opinions being heard, and organizations must provide channels within the app for expressing ideas and opinions. Of course, the true measure lies in how organizations act on this feedback. It’s not merely about providing a platform but actively demonstrating that your organization values the input of its younger members and uses that feedback to inform future growth and decision-making.

Measuring Success: Analytics and Key Performance Indicators

To measure the success of mobile apps in engaging younger audiences, analytics play a pivotal role. Integration with tools like Google Analytics provides valuable insights into user behaviour. Metrics such as the number of downloads, active users, and content accessed offer a comprehensive view. Organizations can use this data to tailor their strategies, which can help further improve engagement.

Paving the Way for Future Leaders

The simple explanation for why your union or association could benefit from a mobile app to better reach younger members is that younger generations are always on their phones.

While this is true, I’ve seen through our work with organizations across North America that the benefits run deeper than simply staying technologically relevant.

Embracing mobile apps is not just about meeting current expectations but also laying the groundwork for the future. The younger generation represents the next wave of leaders. A mobile app can help align with their preferences, deliver seamless experiences, and show that you value their input. A mobile app can be an integral part of creating a vibrant and dynamic community for your union or association that stands the test of time.

If your association or union is looking for a way to better engage younger audiences, book a call with the Info Grove team today. We’d love to explore how a mobile app could help you achieve your recruitment, retention and engagement goals.

Karim Mansour is an Inside Sales Representative at 14 Oranges, the creators of the Info Grove platform.