The Art of Community Building

In the realm of entrepreneurship, the desire to 'own a community' has become a resounding mantra. Yet, the allure of possessing a devoted following often overshadows the realities faced by community owners. Having closely worked with various community founders, I would like to illuminate the challenges involved in maintaining a community and emphasize that community building is more than a passing trend or a casual endeavor.

My perspective is simple: Building a community is not about seeking instant gratification, but about cultivating something genuine with wholehearted dedication. It's time to move away from the 'ownership' mentality and focus on creating thriving spaces. The days of endless forwards and self-promotion on platforms like WhatsApp are dated and only end up in mindless scrolling and a big yawn! ??

Instead, picture a community that is purpose-led, with a clear mission that keeps members aligned toward shared goals.???

Imagine an active group where engagement sizzles, conversations spark, connections form, and every member feels truly heard and valued. ??

While it may seem dreamy, building such a utopia demands more than mere desire.

Before joining the community bandwagon, consider these questions:

?? Why? Is your motivation rooted in genuine passion to lead a community for a purpose, or are you hopping on to the latest trend?

?? Value Proposition: What makes your community unique and irreplaceable?

?? Clarity: Define your niche and your offering.

?? Content Curation: How will you keep conversations focused and valuable?

?? Management: Who will nurture the community, and are you ready to invest your time, resources and people to maintain it?

When building a community, remember:?

?? Engagement Matters: Go beyond organizing Zoom seminars and worshops for free from your own members to provide it free for the rest of the group. Instead, create opportunities for in-person and online meet ups and engaging with your community with new ideas.

?? Boundaries: Establish clear rules, such as avoiding forwards, spamming, posting off-topic, to maintain the community's purpose.

?? Quality over Quantity: Provide a unique experience that members can't find elsewhere; avoid cloning existing group formats.

?? Sustainability: Consider the financial aspects to ensure your community can thrive.

?? Bonding: Facilitate frequent interactions for members to build familiarity, trust, and lasting relationships.

?? Feedback: Conduct frequent polls and reviews to get authentic feedback from your members and implement it.

Remember, building a community is a journey, not a destination. True connection requires effort, but the rewards are undoubtedly worth it.

I'm pleased to share examples of two communities excelling in community building, that I have been personally associated with:

?? BNI: A dynamic business-oriented community where members willingly share valuable connections from their professional networks. Here, the ethos is simple: Ask, and you shall receive. The core focus revolves around the seamless exchange of business connections locally and across the globe to grow one's business through referrals.

?? LLB: An exceptionally friendly community for moms, delving into diverse topics and new age, modern insights into maternity, baby wearing, fostering healthy food habits, etc. With specialized sub-groups catering to specific interests, LLB creates a nurturing and judgment-free space for moms to share, seek mental support, and vent out. Additionally, the community collaborates with renowned kids' brands to offer exclusive member discounts.

Now armed with the essentials of community building, go forth and build with intention! Are you a community owner with unique insights? Share your golden nuggets for building a thriving space!

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