Growth MEMBERSHIP 101
WHERE RIDERS BELONG The slogan of the AMA
Let s Learn: What is the Importance of a Strong AMA? How does a strong AMA benefit the entire motorcycling community? How can we effectively promote the AMA?
The : Strength in numbers. o o o AMA is the ONLY national organization that represents the interests of ALL riders: on-highway, off-highway & racing. AMA Members Provide: The influence the association wields in Washington DC The commercial sway needed to negotiate discounts and benefits The critical mass that makes AMA-sanctioned amateur competition and recreational rallies the greatest motorcycling events in the USA.
Top-Tier Benefits of AMA Membership Advocacy The most important benefit we offer is our work advocating for motorcyclists of all types. By joining the AMA you help support our efforts with your annual dues. Every additional member we can add to our total membership helps us gain influence and strengthens our voice at every level of government. Information Members receive American Motorcyclist magazine every month and can chose between our Street and Recreation and our Competition and Off-road editions. Each issue is filled with news, tips and information about the kind of motorcycling you are interested in. Members can also access the magazine each month online, sign up for Action Alerts, and get additional information through AMA news and notes, newsletters and social media platforms.
Top-Tier Benefits of AMA Membership Access AMA membership is your license to race in AMA-sanctioned events. Racing in AMA events guarantees a higher level of safety and fairness and is your only pathway to a coveted AMA #1 plate! Only AMA members have the opportunity to gain access to everything the AMA has to offer online by logging in at americanmotorcyclist.com. Discounts & Savings Only AMA members can take advantage of over 40 discounts and savings offered by our partners and listed on the members-only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com. AMA Roadside Assistance is available at no cost when you enroll in auto-renewal. AMA Roadside Assistance is an unusually comprehensive program that covers your motorcycle and the motorcycles, cars, RVs and non-commercial trailers belonging to everyone in your household.
Rights. Riding. Racing. The tagline of the AMA
REASONS TO JOIN Rights the AMA targets antimotorcycling forces in the halls of federal, state and local government. A strong AMA benefits the entire motorcycling community by fighting for the rights of all motorcyclists, on-road and off.
REASONS TO JOIN Riding the AMA supports, promotes and sanctions a number of benefits and events that cater to those who enjoy the motorcycling lifestyle.
REASONS TO JOIN Racing Only AMA members are permitted to race in AMA-Sanctioned events. AMA members can also qualify and race in elite level National Championships, competing for one-of-akind national Number 1 plates. AMA amateur racing is the path to the Pro ranks.
Promoting AMA membership Members often wish to share the AMA with other riders, but don t feel sure of themselves. Let s review some techniques designed to help you communicate the benefits of AMA membership with confidence.
Promoting AMA membership One of the most important things we can do to preserve motorcycling for generations to come is to promote AMA membership. As the premier membership organization for motorcyclists in the United States, the AMA is in a unique position to advocate on behalf of riders. Because the AMA answers to members, not donors, politicians or manufacturers, we remain committed to the best interests of the individual. Growing AMA membership is the way to ensure your organization will be here for years to come.
Promoting AMA membership Let s start with a few simple tips: Dress the part: When volunteering on behalf of the AMA, wear good condition AMA gear that reflects the type of event you are working at. AMA volunteers often receive t-shirts and other gear. In addition, other options are always available at amagear.com. Take care of yourself: Get plenty of sleep the night before, stay hydrated and take breaks when you need to. Be proud and positive: When working with the AMA you represent the most effective motorcyclists advocacy group as well as the strongest amateur motorcycle racing organization in the world. You are one impressive volunteer.
How to Promote AMA membership As an AMA member volunteer, one of the most important things you can do to assist at almost any event is to promote and sell AMA memberships. Often, a potential member will know a lot about the AMA and simply need you to help him or her get signed up. Other times, a potential member needs you to ask them questions to determine their level of interest and whether an AMA membership is right for them.* And sometimes, a potential member just needs you to answer a few questions. *hint if they ride, know a rider, enjoy motorcycling as a spectator sport or want to preserve motorcycling for future generations it is!
How to Sign up a New Member For the new member who just needs to get signed up, there s nothing easier. On a tablet or mobile, simply go to: join.americanmotorcyclist.com To speak directly with a member service representative call: 1-800-AMA-JOIN (262-5646) Or use an app pad provided by the AMA, district or organizer.
What s in it for me? When speaking with potential members who aren t certain about the benefits of AMA membership, their hesitation can seem like a version of the question above. While this can sound like a selfish question, in an era when we are constantly bombarded with pleas for both our attention and resources, it s actually quite reasonable. When we are offering membership to a rider who is interested yet unfamiliar with the AMA, it is important that we ask questions and really listen to what the potential members needs and interests are.
Ask and Listen When you ask questions of a potential member, allow them to take their time and really listen to their response. Give them your full attention and listen for the clues that make AMA membership relevant to their situation and goals.
Ask and Listen Here are a few questions you can use to learn more about a potential member: How long have you been riding? What kind of riding do you do? What kind of bike do you have (or are in the market for)? When was the last time you watched/participated in a race?
Ask and Listen Additional questions and responses help you ascertain a potential member s goals and how AMA membership benefits them. Here is an example: Question: How long have you been riding? Answer: I ve just gotten my first bike/my endorsement. Question 2: Are you enjoying riding/do you plan to continue? Answer 1: Of course! Response 1: That s great! The AMA has lots of benefits for new riders Answer 2: I really enjoy riding, but I don t have anyone to ride with so Response 2: If you enjoy riding, it s easy to find like minded people through the AMA s clubs and State Chapters. Here, let me show you
Ask and Listen It s important to show how AMA benefits relate to the potential member. Here is another example based on the same starting question: Question: How long have you been riding? Answer: I ve been riding a long time/for 30 years/my odometer is at 200k Question 2: Do you usually ride alone or are you part of a group? Answer 1: I almost always ride alone. Response 1: The solitude is one of the best things about riding isn t it? But you don t want to ride without backup, on top of all the money saving benefits, AMA Roadside Answer 2: Actually, these days I m usually leading a group. Response 2: You know, with your experience, you would be a big asset to the AMA (discuss leadership opportunities with EAGLES and State Chapters)
Ask and Listen Questions and responses are intended to show the potential member that AMA membership aligns with their goals. The next 3 slides give examples of questions and benefits related to the remaining questions on slide 16. What other questions and benefits can you think of?
What kind of riding do you usually do? The AMA Great Roads Database has really great suggestions for your next ride... The AMA Trails Atlas can guide you to public riding areas you ve never thought of You should test those skills! Did you know that AMA racing has beginner classes for all ages? AMA Roadside Assistance is an essential tool the long-distance rider/daily commuter.
What kind of bike do you have? Did you know one of the benefits of AMA membership is discounts on all sorts of gear? Did you know the AMA fought against sportbike bans? Did you know the AMA includes scooter riders and has worked with several local governments to make accessible motorcycle parking a priority? Did you know the AMA is constantly fighting against restrictions on adult helmet choice and aftermarket parts?
When was the last time you raced/watched a race? Did you know the AMA sanctions over 15 different kinds of amateur racing? You re right, any kind of racing is inherently dangerous, but did you know that AMA sanctioned races follow a specific set of regulations that make them the safest and most fair motorcycle races in the world of amateur racing? Did you know the AMA is currently fighting to preserve your right to convert a street vehicle to a racing vehicle and back? Yes! AMA racing is a real family activity. Let me show you what I mean
Hey, let me ask you As an AMA Volunteer, you will often find potential members who are interested in talking to you, but have specific questions or objections. The next few slides cover many of the frequently asked questions and objections heard by the AMA and AMA Volunteers. If you find yourself hearing a question or objection we haven t addressed, please let us know so we can update this training.
I would join, but I already have towing through [fill-in-the-blank]. AMA Roadside Assistance is one of the most competitive plans on the market because it extends to all the vehicles belonging to anyone in your household. I encourage you to compare AMA s $49 annual membership dues with your existing roadside assistance fees. 35 miles isn t enough towing for me. AMA Roadside Assistance always covers the first 35 miles of any tow and that limitation is similar to limitations found in other roadside assistance programs that cost much more than AMA s plan. I m already a member of HOG/BMWMOA/etc. The AMA represents motorcyclists, not motorcycle brands. You do have the opportunity to show your love for bike you ride by choosing one of our 17 membership card designs, but you can also count yourself among ALL motorcyclists who are represented by the AMA.
I would join, but I was an AMA member but I didn t really get anything out of it. Please take a few minutes to look over the Rights section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com. You may have chosen not to take advantage of members-only discounts or AMA Roadside Assistance, but while you were a member, you were helping support our work to protect your right to modify your motorcycle, not be profiled while riding, your access to public lands and continued access to lower ethanol fuel blends. you guys only care about [specific type of riding]. Our advocacy efforts range from protecting off-road vehicle access to preventing federal money being used to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints on the road. We charter competition and recreational clubs every day and help those clubs reach new motorcyclists. Make sure when you join you chose the edition of American Motorcyclist that best reflects your riding interests!
When the interest Just isn t there Sometimes a potential member decides they just aren t interested. They don t show much interest as you are explaining or just need time to think. That s okay. This level of commitment to our sport and lifestyle isn t for everyone. You can generally tell pretty quickly when you aren t talking to the right person. Keep a positive attitude. We want and need members, but there s no need to push. When this isn t the right time for the person you are speaking to, respect their time and yours and simply say thank you, provide literature or the link to americanmotorcyclist.com if they would like it, and move on. You are a member of and represent the top motorcyclists association and advocacy group in the world, and that s something to be proud of.
AMA Membership Options All membership options, except (life member, youth and single-event) include American Motorcyclist magazine and other discounts available to members Automatic renewal or a three-year membership includes FREE AMA roadside assistance (with $49 membership) LIFE MEMBER: Either purchased outright (Life Member) Or achieved with 25 years of AMA membership (Charter Life Member) Includes all benefits of AMA individual membership And digital magazine* LIFE MEMBER PLUS ($29): Includes all benefits of AMA membership Print copy of American Motorcyclist magazine And AMA roadside assistance *optional print version of magazine may be purchased for nominal charge
Additional AMA Membership Categories & Donation Options AMA family membership ($98) : A single membership that covers up to five family members at the same address. Includes all benefits, but only one copy of American Motorcyclist. AMA youth membership ($29): Exclusively for members 11 years old and under, Can be purchased only at an AMA event AMA single-event membership ($20): Covers one event only, can be purchased only at the event Donations may also be made directly to these essential AMA programs*: Motorcycle Hall of Fame AMA Amateur Racing AMA General Operations and Administration AMA Government Relations AMPAC *Donation maximums and tax-deductibility vary from program to program. Please contact the AMA for information.
AFFINITY PROGRAMS The AMA affinity card program allows you to bring the excitement of your favorite brand or motorcycling activity right to your wallet with your AMA affinity membership card. Call and ask for your favorite today!
After signing up a new member Once you have signed the new or renewing member up, provide them with a receipt (wherever possible) and/or their temporary card and simply say Thank you or Welcome! The AMA s superior Member Service team will take it from there.
LET S BUILD A STRONG Share positive AMA experiences Volunteer and Promote the AMA Share AMA News & Publications Proudly wear your AMA gear Support companies that support the AMA
Questions? Don t be shy, contact the AMA State Chapters Network at AMASCN@ama-cycle.org