So you want to build community?
So you want to build community?
Strategies on Building Community for Solopreneurs, NGOs and Not-for-profits from our Community Management Advisor, Fihmiya Hamdan
Introduction:
Meet Fihmiya Hamdan, our adviser on Community Management.
Image ID: Fihmiya is on the left at a retreat in North Carolina photographed with another woman in a white sweater outdoors.
As a Learning Experience Designer with a passion for Community, Technology, and Education,I’ve spent over 15 years managing dynamic learning spaces to deliver both engaging and enriching learning experiences to diverse groups. I’ve learned that building meaningful relationships is essential to creating a sense of belonging and promoting collaboration, diversity, and inclusion. In this blog post, I’ll share how community management plays a crucial role in bringing members together and the strategies you can implement to build value within your community space(s).
Objectives:
Before we dive into the strategies, lets’ first understand the objectives of community management:
● Build relationships
● Foster collaboration
● Promote diversity and inclusion
● Provide support
● Share knowledge
● Create a sense of belonging
Outcomes:
These objectives lead to several outcomes, including:
● Increased social connections and sense of community
● Enhanced collaboration and innovation
● Improved diversity and inclusion
● Increased knowledge and resource sharing
● Greater support and wellbeing
Strategies to Implement:
Identify and Understand Your Community’s Needs:
It’s essential to identify and understand the needs of your community. You can do this by conducting surveys, holding peer and consulting groups, or simply talking to members of your community via email, DMs, or one-on-one chats (Zoom or Google Meet).
Foster a Culture of Collaboration and Support:
Fostering a culture of collaboration and support is critical when building a sense of community. It creates a space where members feel comfortable sharing and learning from others. This is done by encouraging collaboration, sharing resources, posting ideas on the community feed, and recognizing and celebrating members’ successes.
Image ID: Humans putting their hands together in a circle
Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth:
When you provide opportunities for learning and growth, members will join your spaces because it allows them to do the same. Providing them with opportunities for education, mentorships, and personal development is an excellent way to build value in what you share with your community. This could include webinars, blog posts, and curated resources that are relevant to their interests.
Encourage Feedback and Communication:
Encouraging feedback and communication is a must. It creates an environment where membersfeel comfortable sharing feedback and communicating with each other. This can be done through regular check-ins, email surveys, and community forums (discussion boards) where members can ask questions and share their opinions.
Be a Thought Leader:
Community managers can build value by being a thought leader in the space they’re in. Providing insights, thought-provoking content, and being a source of inspiration can help build trust and credibility within the community.
Utilize Technology:
Lastly, don't forget how powerful utilizing technology can be. Utilizing platforms that enable community members to connect and engage with each other can help build a sense of belonging and encourage members to share their experiences and knowledge.
Conclusion:
Community management is vital in bringing members together and building value within the community. By implementing these strategies, you can create a space where members feel comfortable sharing, collaborating, and learning from one another. Remember to identify and understand your community’s needs, foster a culture of collaboration and support, provide opportunities for learning and growth, encourage feedback and communication, be a thought leader, and utilize technology. Together, these strategies can help you build a thriving community space that promotes diversity, inclusion, and well-being.
Application
Choose one action Fihmiya mentioned above that you can take action on tomorrow.
How will you know if that strategy works for your goal or business?
Contact Fihmiya for feedback and extended advice on building community within your business and organizational needs.
Come hang out with our community:
Sunday, May 21st: Heart Math Q+A with Melissa Griffiths
Wednesday, May 31st: Webinar - Building strong connections: Creating a supportive and positive community around mental health (Sponsored by Community-Led Growth) Lead by Julie Johnson and Fihmiya Hamdan