Engaging Online Community Strategies

Getting your community actively involved in an online community can be difficult but not impossible.

This will require an approach that is strategic using a variety of different techniques.

We give you some ways below that will help you encourage engagement and participation and allow you to build a thriving online community.

Welcoming Environment

You should encourage an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere within your online community.

Encouraging new members to introduce themselves and community leaders to actively engage with new members.

User Friendly Platform

As a community leader, you should ensure that your community is easy to navigate and user-friendly. Having a complicated interface will more than likely discourage members and participation.

Community Events

Events in an online community can create a sense of excitement and can encourage participation. Some of the events you could organize for an online community are:

• AMAs (Ask Me Anything)
• Webinars
• Live Chat Events
• Fun Community Contests for Prizes

Clear Purpose and Goals

The goals and purposes that you have for your online community should be clearly defined. When your community members understand your mission and what you would like to achieve, they are more likely to participate actively to help achieve those goals.

Being Well Organized

Having discussion boards or forums that are well organized which give your community members somewhere to share their ideas and thoughts is a must.

You should encourage discussions in these discussion boards or forums you create by posing questions or discussion prompts.

Community Challenges

Creating projects or challenges that members can collaborate on will encourage participation and offer the potential to build up a sense of achievement and teamwork.

Gamification

Gamification elements such as leaderboards, badges or even points can be used to reward and recognize active members.

This can add competition to the online community but is a fun aspect to encourage community participation.

Periodic Content Updates

Providing interesting, engaging and fresh content on your online community in the form of polls, discussions and articles can keep members coming back.

Community Member Feedback and Surveys

Ways to give feedback and provide surveys to your community members are good ways to find out about their concerns, preferences and suggestions.

This will not only show your community members that you value their opinion but it will also provide insights for you, the community leader on what you need to improve on.

Appreciation and Recognition

Contributions from your community members should always be acknowledged. This can be done through methods such as:

• Member Spotlights
• Shout-outs
• Small Tokens of Appreciation

Resources and Education

Providing resources that are educational or tutorials can add value to your community members

Consistent Communication

Communication channels within your online community should always be kept open.

Make regular updates on upcoming events improvements or changes that you plan to make or have made and community news.

Exclusive Benefits and Content

Offering exclusive content to your active community members can give them a sense of belonging and incentivise continued participation.

Some examples of exclusive content you could offer are:

• Special privileges
• Early access to content

Community and Moderation Guidelines

Your community staff and members should feel safe and comfortable within your online community. Having an active moderation team and clear community guidelines will ensure you have a well-moderated community.

Social Media Integration

Social media platforms are your key to reaching a broader audience. Integrating your community with social media will allow you to share content from your community to social media. This can, in turn, attract new members.

In Conclusion

Building up a vibrant and engaging online community takes time. You should ensure you stay patient and stay focused on your purpose and goals and adapt to feedback you get from your community members.