How well is your HOA board managing communication? If you’re finding it difficult, you’ll be happy to know there are some great tools and resources that may help you be more responsive, available, and accessible to your homeowners and community.
Whether it’s getting the word out about your next annual meeting, reminding people about quarterly fees, or sharing information that many of your homeowners will find beneficial, we have some great tips on how to communicate better.
START WITH SOME SOCIAL MEDIA
All of us have a love/hate relationship with social media, but most of us use it in one way or another. You can use social media to communicate better as a
San Francisco HOA board. Put together a Facebook group. Use dedicated hashtags for Twitter and Instagram. Start a group chat on Snapchat. There are lots of options.
1. DIGITAL AND PRINT NEWSLETTERS FOR SAN FRANCISCO HOA BOARDS
A printed newsletter may seem old school, but many people still prefer to have something in hand. It’s also useful when an entire household needs to reference information in that newsletter. It can be affixed to the refrigerator in the kitchen or kept in a communal location.
Digital newsletters that are emailed are also an excellent communication tool. It will save on print and postage costs, and distribution is fairly easy. Online services are available and you can even personalize your emailed newsletters. Another benefit to using email is that you can send last-minute information or reminders, unlike a printed newsletter, which will take time to plan, print, and distribute.
Use both. Newsletters definitely have a place in your San Francisco HOA communication strategy.
2. MODERNIZE YOUR HOA WEBSITE
Your homeowners will need a place to go if they have a question, and that starting point will likely be your website. Make sure it’s designed to be user-friendly and supportive.
Effective HOA websites will engage with the homeowners who visit. It’s a great way to provide real-time information to association members. You can invite homeowners to leave feedback or to get in touch if they need more information about something. You can also provide contact information for specific board members and committee chairs who may be more knowledgeable about specific areas.
Include documents on your website that can be downloaded, such as the bylaws,
HOA rules and regulations, and recent meeting minutes. Homeowners can even access financial information. They should be able to pay their dues and any assessments or fines online. Making this accessible may require an upgrade in your software.
3. JOIN THE NEXTDOOR APP
Have you heard about NextDoor? It’s an app that was developed specifically to keep communities close. When your homeowners download NextDoor, they can connect with their communities and their HOA board members. It’s a great way to share information and news.
A lot of HOA boards are using this app to organize special events, community meetings, and special interest clubs. As with any social media app, it’s hard to control what flies back and forth in the comments. Don’t use this platform for any confidential or sensitive HOA business.
Encourage communication with your board
When owners understand why the HOA is implementing different programs and making new decisions, there will be fewer complaints and disputes. This builds trust and creates a more cohesive community. Focus on great communication between your board members and within your San Francisco HOA community.