What should your community offer your members?

[Cedric]

We all know people initially flock to our sites because of our core topics. But let's face it, it takes more than just interesting subjects to make 'em stick around. What's the magic that gets your members not just visiting, but eagerly returning?

In my book, a thriving community needs to:

• Spark curiosity and encourage the dive into fresh perspectives and intriguing conversations around the niche.
• Encourage a spirit of friendship where members actively uplift each other. Here, for instance, we've got each other's backs on every challenge tied to building and running our platforms. We provide feedback as much as we can.
• And oh, that feeling of “I belong here.” That, I reckon, is the real game-changer. Because without that warm, fuzzy sense of community, why would anyone make a return trip?

I'm super curious - what's on your must-have list for your community? What do you think truly makes your members return for more?

 

[JennyorAlice]

Besides providing discussion, I have it set up so that members can achieve different ranks the more they post around the forum. Each time a member makes it to the next rank, they will earn a new award to display on their profile and they earn something new on the forum. What item they earn depends on each rank they make it to...

 

[Empire]

Ask your members what they want I mean, it doesn't hurt them to ask and then you see if you can do it or not, I mean look at the ligament answers and not silly answers as members would also answer with silly answers like free games keys with making a post hahaha

 

[Ravenfreak]

Eventually I'm going to get around to modifying the Gex games so I could add some technical information to my forums. It's something I haven't seen offered much on other Gex communities.

 

[Reverie]

And oh, that feeling of “I belong here.” That, I reckon, is the real game-changer. Because without that warm, fuzzy sense of community, why would anyone make a return trip?

That sense of belonging is super important for any community. When I was on a previous advertising forum it took me a long time to build that feeling and I was quite inactive due to that at the beginning. Sometimes you have to throw yourself into the conversation, and that can be difficult.

I think real discussions is super important, an as an admin it's difficult to watch because sometimes all those true conversations are created by admins/staff and members aren't actively responding back and forth - perhaps they give a 1 reply, but then don't return for a discussion to break out. I think if staff can ask questions or relate to a post it would help a lot also with making people feel more embedded in the community.