Building Stronger Connections: 7 Strategies to Enhance Member Engagement
Communities are an increasingly important tool for businesses to build engagement, loyalty, and revenue. However, creating a community that is sustainable and valuable requires much more than just announcing that you have a community and waiting for people to reach out and engage. It requires creating an environment where members are not just passive observers but active participants.
Photo by Leah Kelley
Mighty Networks, an all-in-one community platform software company, analyzed ten successful communities earning over $100,000 per month and found that the key factor that they all shared was an 80% member contribution rate. This means that 80% of the content and engagement within these communities came from the members themselves.
So, how can you boost member engagement in your community?
Here are 7 effective strategies:
1. Post provocative questions.
Encourage members to share their opinions and ideas by posting thought-provoking questions that spark conversations and debates. This can help generate fresh perspectives and insights that are valuable to the community as a whole.
2. Share stories of vulnerability.
People connect with each other through shared experiences, so sharing personal stories of vulnerability can help create a sense of intimacy and trust within the community. This can lead to more open and honest conversations and deeper connections between members.
3. Backchannel requests. (If someone tells you a good story, ask them to post)
This not only helps boost member contribution but also makes members feel valued and heard. When someone feels like their ideas are being recognized and appreciated, they are more likely to continue engaging with the community and contributing their insights and expertise.
4. Recognize contributors.
Celebrate and acknowledge members who contribute to the community in meaningful ways. This can be done through icons, public thanks, or even t-shirts, which can help create a sense of pride and belonging within the community.
5. Bring ‘real friendships’ online.
People are more likely to engage and contribute to a community when they feel like they belong. You can foster this sense of belonging by creating opportunities for members to connect with each other, such as by hosting events, and even virtual happy hours.
6. Invest in a Weekly Calendar.
By creating a regular schedule of events, discussions, or activities, you can help your members develop a habit of engaging with your community. This can help increase participation and create a sense of momentum within the group.
7. Set up Quests.
A Quest is a series of activities or challenges that members can complete together. This can be a fun and engaging way to encourage members to interact with each other and contribute to the community’s growth.
In summary, building a thriving community takes time, effort, and dedication. It’s not enough to simply create a space and expect members to engage and contribute on their own. You must actively foster an environment that encourages participation and interaction, and provides value to your members.
A successful community can provide a wide range of benefits for your business or organization, including increased customer loyalty, brand awareness, and revenue. It can also serve as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and learning, allowing your members to connect and share knowledge and expertise with each other.
