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. 

Alright, you're sold on building an online space for your members. That's fantastic! But when you're wading through all the options out there, trying to pick the right tech, it can feel like buying clothes online – everyone looks good on the screen, but who's really a good fit?

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:

It was inevitable for organizations to turn to online communities during the pandemic, as communicating digitally became the “new normal” across the world. Now that we are transferring to a hybrid (virtual and in-person) working environment, online communities have a new role to play. There are several benefits to having an online community for your association in general, but it is interesting to think about how community fits into your engagement strategy specifically post-COVID. Here are some ways online communities will benefit your members and staff alike:

Does your association or organization use an online community platform? There are several ways associations use online communities to address business needs across all industries. Online communities can not only adapt to your business, but it can also foster collaboration among members. We have created this series to give you some insight into how your community can be enhanced.