It's the same when you're requesting an insurance quote over the phone - the operator often greets you by your name. The purpose behind this practice is to create a personalized experience that makes you feel appreciated and respected as a customer.
This approach can also be applied to online communities. By addressing people by their name or username, it adds a personal touch that can make members feel more valued and connected.
Individuality and person-ability
Have you ever noticed how many forums and blogs use the default name "admin" for the site owner? It's not the most personal approach, is it? To add a personal touch to your site, the easiest thing to do is to make yourself and your staff feel like regular members of the community.
Using generic names like "admin" and "moderator" can create an unnecessary divide between you and the rest of the community. Of course, you want your members to know who the owner and moderators are so they can approach them with any problems. This can be achieved through the use of ranks or by using different colors or icons to distinguish your status within the community.
People like to interact with people
It's a good idea to use your real name or a friendly one when interacting with others online. You'll likely notice a difference in the way people respond to you. After all, people prefer to engage with other people, not just usernames or avatars.
It's important to remember that each member of an online community is a real person. By using real names, you can help others remember this fact and encourage more meaningful interactions. So, go ahead and make yourself approachable by using a name that feels comfortable and friendly to you.
People like to interact with people who are similar to them
When you use your real name in an online community, others see you as just another member of the group. People tend to gravitate toward those who are similar to them, so using a generic username like "admin" can create an unnecessary sense of difference.
This might not be a problem if your community is thriving without your involvement, but if you want to be an active part of the group, it's important to remove any unnecessary barriers. By using your real name, you can create a more approachable and relatable persona, which can help encourage others to engage with you and contribute to the community as a whole.
Keep the community feeling alive
In my previous postings, I mentioned that it's common for a community to lose its sense of togetherness if it expands without your ongoing attention and involvement. One effective way to keep the community spirit alive is by addressing individuals by their name.
When someone comments on your blog, take a moment to reply to their comment using their name. By doing so, your response becomes more personal and memorable to that visitor.
Similarly, when responding to a forum post, make an effort to use the user's name or forum handle. This not only confirms that you are addressing them, but it also adds a personal touch that can make them feel appreciated and valued within the community.
Decide just how personal you should be
Engaging with your community members in a personal way is crucial for building relationships. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all users may want to be addressed by their real names (if you happen to know them).
To navigate this, it's important to learn about your community and their preferences. If it seems like most members address each other by their real names instead of usernames, then it's appropriate to do the same. However, it's important to note that this can be confusing to new members or visitors who may not know the real names of other members, leading to a communication breakdown.
Your members are real people
Sometimes, it's easy to overlook the fact that real people are behind the usernames and forum posts in your community. Acknowledging your members is crucial for strengthening your community.
By addressing your members by their names or chosen usernames, you can make them feel more appreciated and valued. This personal touch can leave a lasting impression and encourage members to engage more within the community.
Have you ever felt disconnected from an online community because the owners or moderators didn't seem approachable or relatable? How could they have improved their communication style? Do you think there are any downsides to using real names in an online community? If so, what are they, and how can they be mitigated? Have you ever received a personal response from a blog or forum owner that made you feel more connected to the community? What was it that made the response feel personal?
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