Online Community Tips

In the quest to cultivate vibrant online communities, it is understandable to inevitably turn to familiar chat applications like Slack or Discord. We all get chat, and its real-time immediacy is undeniably appealing for quick exchanges and team coordination. However, for those aspiring to build something truly enduring – a place where knowledge thrives, relationships deepen, and collective value compounds – these tools often prove insufficient.

Remember the good ol' days of online forums? You might recall those early iterations of "online communities" – perhaps a clunky support forum for a software product or a niche message board for industry professionals. Fast forward to today we've gone through multiple software "phases" - cloud, SaaS, social, gamification, to AI. All of these evolutionary changes have found their way into online community platforms as well. 

For community managers in membership organizations, an online community space isn't just a "nice-to-have" – it's something people now look forward to, and they might be surprised if it's missing. In 2025, The days of static forums are long gone. Dedicated community platforms are now sophisticated hubs, purpose-built to help you cultivate a thriving ecosystem for your members. Let's explore the trends shaping this crucial technology for 2025:

Whether you just purchased a new community or if you've had a system for years, the question of if the system is paying off always remains important. Are you seeing a real return on your investment, or is the value you're getting falling short of what you're paying for the system?

In today's super-connected world, having a strong, active member community is a complete game-changer for any organization wanting to grow and make a real impact. A solid member community platform isn't just nice to have; it's a smart move that can completely change how your members link up, work together, and really get value from being part of your organization.

If engagement is the goal, then creative content is the path to reaching it. Yet for many associations, consistently generating meaningful, relevant, and interactive content for members can feel like an uphill battle. The question isn’t whether content matters, it’s how to create experiences that invite participation, foster knowledge-sharing, and deepen relationships among members.

Moving your online community to a new platform? Here's a comprehensive guide on what to consider and how to make the transition smoothly:

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, associations face unique challenges and opportunities in fostering strong, vibrant communities. At Breezio, we understand that member engagement is not just a buzzword; it’s the heartbeat of any successful association. Here are several reasons why prioritizing member engagement is crucial for associations aiming to thrive and grow.

With all the systems out there being used by associations, it's never been more important to make sure your systems are in sync and working well with each other. With online community and forum tools being member-facing, having your AMS work with your community is even more crucial, which is why over 90% of our clients choose to integrate with their AMS or database system.

In our previous blog "Why Online Communities are Necessary in 2023 and Beyond", we discussed why online communities are key to getting your members engaged and connected with each other virtually, but what other types of systems or channels can you use to keep members connected with your association from anywhere?