I discovered the hard way that communities do not self-engage. I needed to understand my Community members.
An inactive community stops growth and most often gives members the feeling of ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ and ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ (especially when talking about a paid membership).
I use data analytics to fix inactive communities because it cuts through the guesswork.
Sounds complicated, but it is not โก here are 3 questions to ask:
๐ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ?
โข Networking opportunities
โข Learning new skills
โข Finding solutions to problems
โข Exploring potential collaborations
โข Seeking mentorship
โก This question digs into the initial motivation of members.
โก Understanding their primary reason for joining can help tailor content, discussions, and opportunities to their interests.
๐ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ?
โข More relevant content
โข Opportunities to showcase my work
โข Interactive workshops or webinars
โข Partnership callouts
โข Personalized feedback or advice
โกย Engagement is not a one-size-fits-all.
โก This question uncovers the diverse needs of community members and what drives them to interact more deeply with content and each other.
๐ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐’๐ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐?
โข More diverse perspectives
โข Advanced learning resources
โข Opportunities for real-world impact
โข Greater recognition of achievements
โข Clearer pathways to contribute
โก Sometimes, what’s not there is more telling than what is.
โก This question helps identify gaps in the community offer, allowing us to fill them and, in turn, activate inactive members.
๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ
โ Armed with this data, I segmented the community into 3 groups:
โข ๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐จ: look for growth and personal development;
โข ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐จ: driven by relationships and recognition;
โข ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ-๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐จ: desire to make a difference.
Segment 1: The Aspirers
- What brought them here: primarily interested in learning new skills and finding solutions to problems.
- What would make them participate more: they are keen on more relevant content, interactive workshops or webinars, and advanced learning resources.
- Whatโs missing in our community: they feel the lack of advanced learning resources and clearer pathways to contribute.
Characteristics: this group looks for growth and personal development within the community. They value educational content, practical learning experiences, and clear guidance on how they can contribute or engage further.
Strategy for engagement:
- Introduce skill-based learning sessions and expert-led workshops.
- Develop a clear guide or roadmap on how members can progress or contribute within the community.
- Highlight opportunities for members to apply their learning in real-world scenarios or community projects.
Segment 2: The Connectors
- What brought them here: seeking networking opportunities, exploring potential collaborations, and seeking mentorship.
- What would make them participate more: opportunities to showcase their work, partnership callouts, and personalized feedback or advice.
- Whatโs missing in our community: they seek more diverse perspectives and greater recognition of achievements.
Characteristics: connectors are driven by relationships and recognition. They seek to build their network, collaborate on new ventures, and gain acknowledgment for their contributions.
Strategy for engagement:
- Host networking events and create platforms for members to showcase their work or achievements.
- Foster a mentorship program that pairs less experienced members with seasoned professionals.
- Encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives through themed discussions or collaborative projects.
Segment 3: The Impact Makers
- What brought them here: a blend of finding solutions to problems and exploring potential collaborations.
- What would make them participate more: partnership callouts and opportunities for real-world impact.
- Whatโs missing in our community: opportunities for real-world impact and clearer pathways to contribute.
Characteristics: this group is motivated by the desire to make a difference, both within the community and in the wider world. They are looking for opportunities to engage in meaningful work and to see tangible results from their efforts.
Strategy for engagement:
- Launch community-driven projects or challenges with a focus on social impact.
- Partner with organizations or initiatives where members can contribute their skills for a broader purpose.
- Provide clear and structured ways for members to engage in these opportunities, recognizing their contributions along the way.
With Data the engagement strategies are limitless.
Engaging a community starts with understanding the members.
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