If you’ve ever paused before sending an email or posting onsocial media and thought, “Are we doing this too much… or not enough?” —you’re not alone.
One of the most common questions chapter leaders ask is how often they should be communicating with members. And usually, the worry isn’t about being lazy — it’s about doing it wrong. No one wants to overwhelm inboxes, annoy members, or feel like they’re “spamming” people. At the same time, silence can feel risky too.
The good news? There is no perfect number. But there are simple guidelines that can help you stop guessing and start communicating with confidence.
Let’s start by clearing up a common misconception: sending more messages does not automatically lead to better engagement.
In fact, over-communication often leads to the opposite. When members receive too many emails or see constant posts without a clear purpose, they’re more likely to tune out entirely. Engagement drops not because people aren’t interested — but because the messages blur together.
Effective chapter communication isn’t about volume. It’s about clarity, timing, and relevance. When each message has a clear reason for being sent, members are far more likely to pay attention.
Email is still the most reliable way to reach your members,which is why getting the cadence right matters.
Regular Chapter Emails
For most chapters, a solid baseline is:
These emails might include:
If your email has multiple purposes, it’s a sign it may be trying to do too much. Simpler emails tend to perform better.
Event-Based Emails
Events usually need more than one message — and that’s okay.
A typical event email cadence might look like:
Many leaders worry that repeating the same event information feels like spamming. In reality, people miss emails all the time. Repetition isn’t annoying — it’s helpful.
Social media can feel intimidating, especially if your chapter doesn’t post often. The truth is, you don’t need to be everywhere or post constantly.
For most chapters, a realistic and effective goal is:
That’s it.
Good chapter social content includes:
Consistency matters more than creativity. A simple, steady presence does far more than bursts of activity followed by long silence.
Here’s the part many chapter leaders need to hear: it’s okay to be quiet sometimes.
There are plenty of moments when not communicating is completely fine, including:
Sending messages just to “stay visible” often leads to filler content — and members can tell. It’s better to communicate less often and say something meaningful than to send updates out of obligation.
Silence doesn’t mean your chapter is inactive. It means you’re being intentional.
If you want an easy starting point, try this:
This isn’t a rulebook — it’s a framework. You can adjust based on your chapter’s size, activity level, and member preferences.
You don’t need dashboards or advanced analytics to know if your cadence is effective. Look for simple signals:
If engagement starts to dip, resist the urge to send more messages. Instead, revisit timing, clarity, and whether each message clearly explains why it matters to the reader.
If you’re thoughtful about when and why you communicate,you’re already ahead of the game.
Chapter communication doesn’t have to be perfect. It justneeds to be:
Focus on sending fewer messages that actually matter — andtrust that your members will appreciate it.
Have question or need help getting started? Reach out to chapters@ampp.org. We are here to help!
Want more marketing tips? Subscribe to the "Lead & Succeed" blog to get the latest insights and tools for chapter leaders.
We're here to help you grow and strengthen your chapter. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, let us know—we’re always looking for ways to support you better!