For Communities

How to Build Thriving Communities: Based on 20+ Years of Insights

02.09.2024 · DigitalWisers
How to Build Thriving Communities: Based on 20+ Years of Insights

Have you ever wondered why some communities experience continuous growth and sustained engagement while others seem to stagnate? Heather VanCura, a seasoned community manager with 20+ years of experience, has had a front-row seat to the evolution of community-driven growth. In her article featured on Community Led Growth, she highlights the commonalities among numerous thriving communities, from her involvement in the Java Community at Sun Microsystems to her tenure managing technical and non-technical communities at Oracle:

Throughout my career, I've employed a diverse range of community strategies across various technical and non-technical groups, including Java and MySQL communities. This article distills some key insights I've gleaned regarding community interaction, the motivations behind participation, and core community values. These insights can serve as a valuable resource for enhancing your community management practices:

The Foundation of Successful Communities: Community Values 

The first step in building a community is establishing a solid value system. Community management is fundamentally about human relationships and the connections people form with one another. Successful communities are built on values that are long-term, inclusive, and practical. For example, the Java Platform community has focused on principles like "quality and security, performance, sustainable code, compatibility, and community ownership" for over 20 years.

Taking time to engage in sincere conversations about these values with both current and potential community members is crucial. Remember, one of the most important aspects of community building is listening. As VanCura often says, "Listen more than you talk, especially if you're managing a community."

Establishing the Foundations of Your Community 

Once you’ve defined your values, it’s time to consider the foundational structure of your community. This includes:

  • Membership types

  • Governance models

  • Contributor agreements

  • Community platforms

While these elements should remain relatively stable, they can evolve over time. Engaging in strategic discussions about these aspects before launching your community is essential. If you work within an organization, discuss these with your leadership chain and gather feedback from potential community members.

Creating Member Personas 

To truly understand and best serve your community, it’s essential to create member personas. Who are the people you’re trying to reach? What motivates them? What benefits will they gain from joining your community?

Communities often have multiple personas. For example, a technical community might include:

  • Business-focused individuals

  • Technology-focused developers

  • Developer customers

  • Contributing developers

  • Designers or data scientists

Understanding these different personas will help you tailor your engagement strategies and ensure you meet the diverse needs of your community members.

Providing High-Quality Content

 When starting a new community, it’s crucial to begin with a strong foundation of high-quality content. You don’t want to present an empty community to your first members. Collaborate with other teams or external content creators, such as agencies or freelancers, to create engaging, value-driven content that aligns with your community’s goals and values.

Collaborating with Internal Teams 

If you’re launching a community within an organization, it’s important to engage with other departments, such as marketing, sales, and engineering. Ensure that they are aware of the community and can direct potential members to you. Remember, a community cannot be built in isolation—internal communities require collaboration across the organization.

Building Partnerships 

Even if you have the backing of a large organization, partnerships are crucial for community growth. Consider partnering with:

  • User groups

  • Brand ambassadors

  • Influencers

  • Related organizations or communities

These partnerships can help amplify your message, gather feedback, and scale your community more effectively.

The key to building a successful community lies in constructing it around human relationships and shared values. Community management is, at its core, about the connections people form with one another. Clearly defining your community values, building a structure based on these values, and understanding your member personas are essential steps in laying a solid foundation for your community. Additionally, producing high-quality content, collaborating with internal teams, and establishing strategic partnerships will contribute to the sustainable growth of your community.

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What is a Rewarded Job?

For Companies

What is a Rewarded Job?

Rewarded jobs are attractive offers that employers post on an exclusive job board on DigitalWisers for industry experts to find and refer candidates. These offers work according to a system specifically designed to reach only the best-fit talent as quickly as possible. Rewarded jobs are only available to a special group of people called "Blok owners" and are not visible to candidates or companies. (For more info: Who is a Blok owner?)What are the advantages of rewarded jobs?There are several important advantages of rewarded jobs:Access to a wider talent pool: Rewarded jobs allow you to discover talent that you may not have reached before. This is an advantage considering that the network of Blok owners are usually experienced and highly-skilled.Faster candidate referrals: High-amounts of rewards attract more attention from Blok owners, which leads to faster candidate referrals. This allows the position to be filled sooner.Only the best-fit candidates: As Blok owners are experts in their industry, they focus on finding not only the "top" but also the "best-fit" candidate. While trying to understand the needs of open positions in detail, they also try to find the best talents in terms of skills, experience and personality traits that best fit the company and the position.Paying the reward when the candidate starts: Blok owners receive the reward when the candidate starts working.How is the amount of the reward determined?The amount of the reward is determined by the employer. The employer sets a reward amount based on the requirements of the position, industry standards and the importance of the position. This reward is a critical factor in attracting the attention of Blok owners who see the advertisement and accelerating candidate recommendations.How does it work?Posting a rewarded job is quite simple:The employer creates the job on DigitalWisers and sets the reward amount.The job is published on a board accessible only to Blok owners.Blok owners view the rewarded job and refer candidates.The employer ranks the candidates based on their DWS Score and selects the best-fit candidate from the referred candidates.When the selected candidate starts working, the Blok owner who referred the candidate is paid the set reward amount.Rewarded jobs are an effective way for employers to quickly attract the best-fit candidates. In rewarded jobs, all Blok owners compete with each other to recommend only the best-fit candidates. The AI algorithm DWS Score calculates the candidates' match with the job. All referred candidates are ranked according to their DWS Score.Post your rewarded jobs on Digital Wisers and find the best-fit candidate easy and fast!

06.09.2023 · DigitalWisers
Critical Lessons in Startup Community Managing

For Communities

Critical Lessons in Startup Community Managing

Every early-stage founder dreams of a thriving, connected community of passionate users. A well-nurtured community not only signals a product-market fit but also serves as a catalyst for organic growth, branding, and long-lasting user engagement. However, creating a true community—where members feel a deep connection and a sense of ownership—requires more than just launching a product and hoping people will gather. This article summarizes the critical lessons startups can learn from successful community builders, drawing on insights from Bailey Richardson, an early hire at Instagram and a partner at People & Company, a community building counseling company.Avoiding a "Community in Name Only"One of the most common pitfalls in startup community building is creating what Richardson calls a "community in name only." Too often, startups label their users as a community without fostering the deep connections and shared purpose that characterize a true community. Richardson emphasizes that a real community is more than just a group of users—it’s a collective of people who regularly come together around a shared passion or goal. To avoid this mistake, startups must ensure that their community-building efforts are grounded in genuine engagement, where members are not just passive participants but active contributors to the community’s success.Finding the First 100 True BelieversEvery thriving community begins with a small group of passionate individuals who are deeply invested in the startup's mission. These early adopters, often referred to as the "first 100 true believers," are critical to the community's initial growth. Startups should focus on identifying and nurturing these key members, even if it means engaging in activities that don’t scale, such as personalized outreach or hosting intimate meetups. The goal at this stage is not to achieve mass adoption but to build a strong foundation of dedicated members who will advocate for the community and help it grow organically.Defining the Purpose of Your CommunityBefore diving into community-building activities, it’s essential for startups to clearly define the purpose of their community. This involves answering the fundamental question: "Why are we bringing people together?" The purpose should align with the startup's mission and provide value to its members, whether that’s through support, education, or collaboration. For example, the Instant Pot community on Facebook started as a space for users to share recipes and tips, which later evolved into a powerful support network that fueled the product’s popularity. By defining a clear purpose, startups can ensure that their community efforts are meaningful and sustainable.Sustaining Community EngagementOne of the biggest challenges in community building is maintaining consistent engagement over time. Richardson warns against the "one-off event" mentality, where startups host a single event or campaign and expect it to sustain the community. Instead, community building requires ongoing effort and regular touchpoints that encourage members to keep coming back. This could be through monthly meetups, online discussions, or continuous content creation. The key is to create a rhythm of activities that reinforce the community’s purpose and keep members engaged.Shifting the Spotlight to Community MembersA successful community isn’t just about promoting the startup’s narrative—it’s about highlighting the stories and contributions of its members. Richardson, who played a pivotal role in growing Instagram’s community, believes that startups should regularly shine a spotlight on their users, showcasing their creativity, achievements, and unique perspectives. This not only strengthens the bond between the startup and its community but also inspires other members to become more active participants. Startups should consider dedicating resources to finding and telling these stories, whether through social media features, blog posts, or community awards.Gathering and Filtering User FeedbackEngaging with the community also means actively listening to its members. However, not all feedback should be treated equally. Richardson advises startups to be discerning when collecting user input, focusing on feedback that aligns with the community’s goals and the startup’s long-term vision. Community managers play a crucial role in this process, acting as "discerning sponges" who absorb all feedback but only pass on the most valuable insights to the product team. This approach ensures that the community’s voice is heard without overwhelming the startup with conflicting demands.Integrating Community into Organizational StructureAs a startup’s community grows, it becomes increasingly important to integrate community efforts into the organization’s structure. This could mean creating a dedicated community team or embedding community managers within product, marketing, or support teams. The goal is to ensure that community insights are continuously fed back into the startup’s decision-making processes. Richardson highlights the importance of maintaining close ties between community and product teams, particularly as the startup scales. This integration allows for a more responsive and user-centric approach to product development.Empowering Community LeadersOne of the most effective ways to scale a community is by empowering its members to take on leadership roles. This involves "passing the torch" and giving community members the autonomy to organize events, moderate discussions, and create content. However, startups must also provide the necessary tools, guidelines, and support to ensure that these leaders can succeed. Richardson suggests creating a "sandbox" environment where community leaders have the freedom to innovate within a structured framework. This balance between freedom and control is key to sustaining a vibrant and self-sustaining community.Building a Scalable Community FrameworkScaling a community doesn’t mean losing its core values or diluting its purpose. Startups should develop a scalable framework that allows the community to grow while maintaining its authenticity. This could involve creating templates for events, establishing clear communication channels, or developing a set of community guidelines. By standardizing certain aspects of the community, startups can ensure consistency while still allowing for creativity and personalization at the local level. Successful community-driven companies like Duolingo and GirlBoss have demonstrated the power of scalable community frameworks that retain their essence even as they expand globally.Measuring Community SuccessTo gauge the success of their community-building efforts, startups need to track key metrics that reflect the health and growth of the community. These metrics might include engagement rates, retention rates, the number of active contributors, and the frequency of community-led activities. Additionally, startups should consider the long-term impact of the community on their business, such as increased customer loyalty, brand advocacy, and organic user acquisition. Regularly reviewing these metrics allows startups to adjust their community strategies and ensure they are meeting both community and business objectives.Adapting Community Strategies Over TimeAs startups grow and evolve, so too should their community strategies. What works for a small, niche community may not be effective for a larger, more diverse one. Startups must be willing to adapt their approaches, whether that means introducing new types of events, expanding into new platforms, or adjusting their communication style. Richardson emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and iteration in community building, encouraging startups to stay responsive to the changing needs of their members. By remaining flexible and open to change, startups can ensure that their community remains vibrant and relevant over time.Case Studies of Extraordinary CommunitiesLearning from the successes of other communities can provide valuable insights for startups. Each case study offers unique lessons in community building. These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which communities can form, grow, and contribute to a startup’s success. By studying these cases, startups can identify common threads and apply these insights to their own community-building efforts.Common Challenges in Community BuildingBuilding a community is not without its challenges. Startups may struggle with low initial engagement, managing diverse member needs, or preventing burnout among community leaders. Richardson advises startups to be patient and persistent, recognizing that community building is a long-term investment. By addressing challenges head-on and learning from setbacks, startups can develop more resilient communities that stand the test of time. Common strategies for overcoming these challenges include focusing on small wins, fostering open communication, and providing ongoing support to community leaders.

05.09.2024 · DigitalWisers
How to Engage Your Community: Key Strategies

For Communities

How to Engage Your Community: Key Strategies

Community engagement is the lifeblood of any thriving group. The level of interaction among members determines whether a gathering is just a collection of individuals or a true, vibrant community.However, increasing engagement within a community can sometimes be challenging. To help you succeed, we’ve compiled four essential strategies:✅ Set clear goals to guide your community with a strong vision.✅ Encourage participation to keep members actively involved.✅ Provide value to ensure members stay engaged.✅ Promote inclusivity to create an environment where different perspectives can be freely shared.By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a dynamic and sustainable community. Let's explore these points in detail.1. Set Clear Goals: Understand Your Community's Purpose and ObjectivesFor a community to succeed, it must have well-defined goals. Goals provide a roadmap for both community managers and members, ensuring that everyone moves forward with a shared vision.How to Set Clear Goals?Clarify your community's core purpose. Decide whether it will be a support group, a knowledge-sharing hub, or a networking platform.Define measurable objectives. Set concrete goals like increasing participation rates or boosting weekly interactions.Communicate goals with members. Involve them in the process to foster a sense of commitment.When you establish clear goals and communicate them effectively, you create a stronger sense of unity within your community.2. Encourage Participation: Foster Engagement Through Forums and EventsNo matter how large your community is, sustainable engagement is impossible without active participation. Instead of having passive observers, you need strategies that motivate members to contribute.Ways to Boost ParticipationShare interactive content. Use polls, Q&A sessions, and discussion starters.Encourage user-generated content. Allow members to express themselves and share their expertise.Organize regular events. Host webinars, workshops, or live discussions.Examples of Effective Engagement StrategiesQ&A Sessions: Enable members to learn from experts or one another.Forum Discussions: Provide a space for members to exchange ideas on specific topics.Point-Based Reward Campaigns: Encourage engagement by offering points that members can redeem for perks.When you create opportunities for participation, your community becomes more interactive and engaging.3. Provide Value: Offer Exclusive Resources and ContentPeople remain committed to communities that add value to their lives. Whether it’s through education, personal development, or access to exclusive resources, providing value motivates members to stay active.Ways to Add Value to Your CommunityShare educational content. Offer blog posts, guides, infographics, or video tutorials.Create exclusive content. Provide special reports, brand discounts, or early access to new features.Build a supportive environment. Enable members to help each other through mentorship or peer support.For instance, if you run a business community, keep members updated on industry trends. If it's an art community, offer free creative resources and workshops.By consistently providing value, you create a space where people feel a sense of belonging and purpose.4. Promote Inclusivity: Create a Safe Space for Diverse VoicesA successful community is one where people feel heard and valued. Inclusivity ensures that different perspectives are welcomed, making your community more innovative and engaging.Benefits of an Inclusive CommunityEncourages diverse perspectives. Leads to more creative and innovative discussions.Increases member retention. When people feel included, they are more likely to stay.Builds a strong community culture. Everyone feels they have an equal voice.How to Foster an Inclusive Environment?Prevent discrimination. Ensure respectful communication among members.Give everyone a chance to contribute. Encourage quieter members to share their thoughts.Share culturally diverse content. Offer topics that appeal to a wide audience.By implementing inclusivity policies, you create a space where all members feel comfortable and valued.Conclusion: Building a Thriving CommunitySuccessful community management goes beyond gathering members—it’s about keeping them engaged, adding value, and fostering inclusivity. By setting clear goals, encouraging participation, providing valuable content, and promoting inclusivity, you can build not only a growing but also a sustainable and highly interactive community.Remember, the strength of a community lies in the connections its members form with each other. Strengthening these connections is in your hands!

26.02.2025 · DigitalWisers