You might already know that being active in your community is beneficial. But there might be some perks you haven't considered.
Your Contribution Matters
Sometimes, you might forget you're a part of this community too. Your comments, your posts, they matter just as much as anyone else's. Your contributions spur more engagement, drawing more folks into the conversations.
By adding meaningful insights, you're making the community richer and more valuable for everyone.
Leading by Example
Your fellow community members watch and learn from you. If you're active, responsive, and kind, you're setting a strong example. Whenever you help out, warmly welcome someone, celebrate others, or even create something visually appealing, you're encouraging others to do the same.
Sure, not everyone will follow your lead. But many will. And as someone in charge, it's essential to model the type of behavior you'd love to see. Your role isn't just to set rules, but to embody the spirit of the community.
The less you post, the more you'll become a stranger on your own community. Too often, have I seen Community Managers setting up a new forum and not interacting with their own community. For me, that's a big red flag.
Showing Your Human Side
Absent leaders can be perceived as cold, distant, or even robotic. That's not usually a good thing. There might be exceptions, like in communities where anonymity is crucial. However, for the most part, seeming like that can backfire. It might be harder for people to connect with or trust a figure they see as impersonal.
Being an active part of your community lets people see the person behind the title. It shows that you're not just a faceless authority but someone who's genuinely involved. Yes, some might take your approach for granted, but personally, I think there is usually far more to be gained by being human than there is to be lost.
