Lack of focus and understanding – There’s often too much focus on features and technology (most of your potential members are not interested in these but for some reason they’re top of your priority list). Create a Mission Statement.
Failure to ask ‘how’ – How will you attract members and get them talking? You spend days/weeks/months building the community website or forum rather than building the actual community itself (they’re two different things). Talking to people and building relationships is more important than your forum or website itself. A community website without members is an oxymoron.
Failure to ask ‘why’ – Why will people want to join your community? What’s in it for them? Is it fun?
In this Community Snippet, I want to focus on the very last point; is your online community fun? If it isn’t, or if you decide to build a community around a topic most consider dull, you’ll struggle to succeed.
"The best communities are the ones that offer both - a great time and something useful to their visitors."
Is your subject interesting enough?
Imagine you're planning an online community for your toner cartridge store, but you're not sure if anyone will be interested. I mean, how exciting can toner cartridges really be? Sure, you can talk about the different brands, sizes, and prices, but how long can you keep that conversation going? Probably not very long.
Plus, let's face it, people are pretty lazy online. They don't want to go through the hassle of signing up for a new community unless it's something they're really passionate about. And let's be real, there probably aren't too many toner cartridge enthusiasts out there.
So, here's a better idea: instead of building a community around toner cartridges, why not build a community for your target audience? In this case, you're probably targeting office buyers, managers, and administrators. There's a lot more to talk about when it comes to office life, like gossip, career progression, and entrepreneurship.
Remember, people don't really want to talk about your products (unless you're Apple or something). They want to talk about themselves. If you give people a place to talk about themselves and connect with like-minded individuals, conversation about your products should come naturally. So, focus on building a community that people actually want to be a part of, and the rest should fall into place. Keep in mind, want to earn a buck? It's much easier to monetize this way than the other way around.
How to build a fun online community
So, you've already got an online community or you're thinking of starting one - that's awesome! But, let's be real, nobody wants to hang out in a boring community. It's like going to a party and nobody's dancing - a real buzzkill.So, how do you make sure your community is a fun place to be? Here are some tricks to turn the cards:
Moderation Policy – First off, don't be a buzzkill moderator. Nobody likes a stickler for rules, so unless you absolutely have to use your mod powers, let people have fun.
Allow Off-Topic – And speaking of having fun, don't freak out if people go off-topic. That's usually when the real fun begins. Embrace those tangents and watch the conversation take on a life of its own.
Diversity – Don't force people to talk about the same old thing all the time. Let them explore other topics and share their diverse interests. That's how you'll create a vibrant community that people actually want to be a part of.
Dedication – It's also important to be an active member of your own community. Set the tone and lead by example. And when it comes to inviting new members, be selective. Choose people who have the right personality to make your community fun, diverse, and interesting.
Now, there are some online communities that don't necessarily need to be fun, like support forums. Nobody's having a blast talking about depression, but those communities serve an important purpose. But if your community isn't necessarily catering to a serious need, make sure it's a fun place to hang out. The best communities are the ones that offer both - a great time and something useful to their visitors. Also, don't forget: Always show love to your members.
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