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.

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.

Non-dues revenue has become a critical component for the financial health and sustainability of associations, but we find that so many associations find it hard to get started. According to a study done in 2023 by Naylor AMS, generating non-dues revenue was a top challenge of those surveyed and this trend has only continued to accelerate.

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.