20 questions for Community Managers of online communities

Hey there, if you're keen on being a top-notch online community manager and want to create thriving online communities, then you gotta be on top of your game! You need to have all the deeds on your members and be an expert on every nook and cranny of the community. Here are some questions that you should be able to answer. And if you're drawing a blank, then you better hustle to get your answers, ASAP! Feel free to copy and paste the answers in this topic, I will provide a list to do so.

1. Can you sum up the purpose of your community in one sentence?
Oh boy, if you can't handle this, then you're all over the place like a headless chicken! Developing a successful online community is no cakewalk if you're clueless about what you want to achieve. So, buckle up and get your priorities straight, or you're in for a bumpy ride!

2. Who are your competitors?
Psst, let me tell you a secret - if you wanna stay ahead of the game, you gotta keep an eye on the competition! That's right, peek at their website and see what's getting all the love. What are their members craving? And most importantly, what are they failing to deliver? By doing this, you'll be more than one step ahead of the competition and ready to give your members exactly what they need.

3. How is your online community unique?
Listen up, champ! If you can't offer anything unique, then you might as well throw in the towel now. Sure, you can base your community on the same niche as others, but put your own spin on it! Make it stand out like a glitter bomb in a pile of dirt. Make it so irresistible that visitors can't help but register. So, unleash your creativity and let your uniqueness shine.

4. What are the aims and goals for your community in the next week/month/year?
Let me tell you something - without a plan, you're like a ship without a rudder, lost at sea! How can you figure out what needs to be done every day if you have no idea where you're headed in the future? So, set yourself some goals and create a roadmap to reach them. This way, you'll have a clear direction and know exactly what to do every day to make your dreams a reality!

5. How do you deal with abusive posts/members?
Balancing act alert! As an online community manager, you gotta walk the tightrope of fostering activity and interaction, while still allowing for healthy debate and avoiding over-moderation. You need to be neutral, fair, and professional at all times. And most importantly, you need a solid plan in place to guide you through the ups and downs of community management. So, keep your cool, stay balanced, and plan for success!

6. How do you recruit valuable moderators and how will you retain them?
When it comes to choosing your staff members, don't just pick the person who's made the most noise. Instead, choose carefully and thoughtfully. Remember, your staff members are a reflection of you and the entire community. So, make sure they embody the values and vision of the community, and have the necessary skills to support and guide its members. Choose wisely, friends!

7. Is your online community fun?
If your community isn't enjoyable, people will bounce faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline. After all, who wants to stick around if it's not fun, right? And let's face it, if folks are looking for work, they'll go out and get paid for it - not hang out in a community. So, make sure your community is a place where people can relax, have fun, and feel at home. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about!

8. What proportion of your members are active and why?
If you're wondering why you have a ton of inactive members in your community, it's time to do some digging. Are most of your inactive members coming from a particular source or two? If so, it's worth looking into why that might be. And have you ever reached out to your inactive members to see if they need help? Sometimes, people become inactive simply because they're struggling or need some extra support. So, don't be shy - reach out and see how you can help!

9. What are the most popular topics in your online community?
What makes your community buzzing like a hive of bees? Do some detective work and figure out what topics get them excited! Once you know what subjects get your community buzzing, it's time to start posting and sharing content related to those topics. By doing so, you'll keep your members engaged, foster more interaction, and create a lively, thriving community. So, what are you waiting for? Get posting and let the good times roll!

10. What subjects raise the most passion in your online community?
While it's okay to have a little controversy in your community, it's important to avoid topics that can lead to bickering, abuse, and an overall negative atmosphere. Keep an eye on topics that you know are likely to stir up strong emotions within your members. If you do decide to touch on these topics, make sure you do so in a respectful and constructive manner, and be prepared to intervene and moderate if things start to get out of hand. Remember, your goal is to create a positive and supportive environment where everyone can feel welcome and valued.

11. Who are your most important members?
While it's important to treat all members equally, there are some members who deserve a little extra recognition and appreciation. These are the members who create engaging, thought-provoking posts, welcome new members, and act with maturity and professionalism. They're the ones who go above and beyond to contribute to the community and make it a better place. These members are extremely valuable, and it's important to recognize their contributions and show them how much you appreciate them. Who knows, they could even be the future leaders of your community!

12. Who are your most influential members?
In any online community, there are bound to be some members who are opinion formers - those who have a strong influence on others and can sway opinions and feelings. It's important to identify these members and listen closely to their opinions and feedback. If they become upset, it's likely to create a ripple effect throughout the community, so it's important to keep them happy and engaged. By doing so, you'll not only keep them happy, but you'll also make everyone else within their sphere of influence happy as well. So, take the time to listen to these important members and make sure they feel valued and heard within your community.

13. Do your members feel welcome when they join?
Welcoming new members is an important part of building a thriving online community. When new members feel welcomed and included, they're more likely to stick around and become active participants in the community. It's important to have a system in place for welcoming new members, such as a welcome message or a designated person to reach out and introduce themselves. It's also important for existing members to make new members feel welcome by engaging with them, answering questions, and showing them the ropes. If members truly feel welcome, they'll be more likely to stick around and become advocates for your community, which can help attract even more new members. So, make sure you're putting in the effort to welcome new members and create a supportive and inclusive community culture.

14. Do your members feel valued?
Listening to your members is key to building a successful online community. It's important to create channels for feedback and suggestions, such as surveys or suggestion boxes, and to actively seek out input from your members. While you may not be able to act on every suggestion, it's important to show that you're listening and taking their opinions into account. Engage with your members and ask for their opinions on key issues or decisions, and be sure to thank them for their contributions. Making your members feel valued and heard is crucial for building a strong sense of community and keeping them engaged and active.

15. Do your members know your name?
If you want to build strong relationships in your online community, it's important to ditch the anonymous "Admin" persona and use your real name. Instead of communicating with members as a faceless entity, try to connect with them on a personal level by introducing yourself and engaging in conversation. By using your real name and showing your human side, you'll be able to build trust and credibility with your members, and they'll be more likely to feel connected to you and the community as a whole. So, say goodbye to the generic "Admin" label and hello to building real, meaningful relationships with your members.

16. Do your members know how to contact you?
Your job is to get people talking and sharing their ideas! Whether they're newbies or old-timers, it's crucial that all members know how to reach out to you when they need to. So don't be shy about encouraging questions, comments, and suggestions – that's what keeps your community buzzing and growing. Make sure you're easy to find and contact, and let your members know that you're always there to lend an ear or offer a helping hand. With your friendly, supportive approach, you'll keep your community thriving and make everyone feel like they belong.

17. Do your members trust you?
Trust is everything in the world of online communities! As the person in charge, you hold a lot of power and have access to a ton of information about your members. So it's essential that you work hard to earn and keep their trust. Be transparent and honest in all your communications, and make sure your actions align with your words. Avoid the temptation to abuse your position of authority, and always put the needs and interests of your members first. When you've built a reputation as a trustworthy leader, your community will thrive and your members will feel confident and secure in their participation.

18. Are you turning your members into cheerleaders?
Once your online community has gained some momentum, you might find that you don't need to rely on advertising quite as much as you did in the early days. This is because your members are your best source of promotion! If they're engaged, enthusiastic, and happy with what your community has to offer, they'll naturally share it with their friends and followers on social media, through word of mouth, and in other online communities they're a part of. So focus on building a community that people are genuinely excited to be a part of, and the rest will take care of itself. Of course, it's still a good idea to do some strategic promotion from time to time, but don't underestimate the power of a happy and engaged member base!

19. Are you developing relationships away from your site to benefit your community?
Keep an eye on what people are saying about your community on other websites. When you find mentions, engage with those comments and respond to them. Remember, not all new members will find you through your community, so it's a good idea to communicate with potential members even before they visit your site. By building relationships with them, you can increase your conversion rate and bring more people into your community.

20. What external links to your community bring you the most active members?
Links are not all equal in terms of their value for your community. Identify the links that are the most significant and work on building a positive relationship with those who placed them there. This will help you to generate more traffic and increase the visibility of your community.

What did I miss?
Did I forget any burning questions? Is there anything that you disagree with or have a different perspective on? Can you answer all of these questions like a pro? Let's chat about it! Drop a comment down below and let's start the discussion.