The Engagement Challenge: Keeping Networks Active Beyond the First Interaction

"Attracting members is one thing—keeping them engaged is another."

Networks thrive on consistent engagement. But too often, excitement peaks at the start, and then… silence. People drift away, participation drops, and what once felt like a thriving community starts to lose momentum. We have to recognise that being a member of a network is in the bottom %s of people's priorities and as network leaders we need to ensure constant value and compelling reasons to engage. I always encourage members to recognise that the more they put in, the more they get out but we have to give reasons for the 'putting in' bit.

The key? Deliberate, structured, and meaningful engagement strategies that keep members coming back—not out of obligation, but because they truly value being part of the network.

Why Engagement Matters

1. Engagement Builds Loyalty When people feel actively involved, they develop a sense of ownership. Engaged members don’t just consume—they contribute, making the network more valuable for everyone.

2. It Sustains Momentum Regular touchpoints keep a network from fading into the background. A steady rhythm of interaction helps maintain energy and connection.

3. It Drives Deeper Impact The more engaged a network, the greater its collective power. Active participation leads to collaboration, idea-sharing, and real-world change.

Embedding Engagement from Day One

Engagement doesn’t start after someone joins—it starts during onboarding. A network that builds an ethos of engagement early makes participation feel natural rather than forced.

• Set expectations early – Let members know what kind of participation is expected and how they can contribute.
• Make early engagement easy – Encourage small, low-pressure actions (e.g., commenting on an intro post, responding to a poll).
• Personal outreach matters – A personalised welcome message, tagging new members in discussions, or assigning a buddy can spark their first interaction and make them feel part of the group. They have to be seen as an individual not just one of a huge group otherwise it's easy to never truly engage or feel part of something meaningful.

The goal? To create an environment where members see engagement as a norm, not an afterthought.

How to Keep Members Engaged

1. Make Engagement Predictable People engage more when they know what to expect. Create regular anchor points like:

• Monthly meetups or discussions
• Weekly challenges or Q&A sessions
• A set day for sharing wins or insights

Example: A leadership network might host a “Leadership Tuesday” where members discuss a key challenge each week. Or a network leader may post a 'big question' in the community space to provoke a response.

2. Offer Multiple Ways to Engage Not everyone engages the same way. Provide options for different levels of participation:

• Passive: Newsletters, recorded content
• Interactive: Live events, workshops
• Deep Involvement: Committees, working groups, mentorship

3. Personalise the Experience The best networks make engagement feel personal. Ways to do this:

• Tag members in relevant conversations
• Recognise contributions publicly
• Use feedback to tailor discussions and events
• Speak to members 1:1 - don't see the 'membership' the same as a 'member'.

4. Create a Culture of Reciprocity Networks work best when members contribute, not just consume. Encourage a give-and-take dynamic:

• Share value first (insights, opportunities)
• Ask for contributions (stories, advice)
• Celebrate members who give back

5. Use the “1-9-90” Rule Research suggests that in online communities:

• 1% create content
• 9% engage actively
• 90% observe but don’t contribute

Make it easier for the 90% to participate by offering low-effort engagement opportunities (polls, quick questions, “like if you agree” posts). As a network lead - intentionally think about reaching the 90%.

Following Up with Inactive Members

Even with the best engagement strategies, some members will go quiet. Instead of assuming they’ve lost interest, take a proactive approach:

• Check-in messages – A simple “Hey, we haven’t seen you in a while—hope all is well! Here’s what’s been happening in the network…” can be enough to re-engage them.
• Ask for feedback – If someone stops engaging, find out why. Is it time constraints? Lack of relevance? Use their input to refine engagement strategies.
• Reignite interest – Reintroduce inactive members in new ways—invite them to an exclusive roundtable, tag them in relevant discussions, or offer a low-effort way to reconnect.
• Know when to let go – Not everyone will stay engaged forever, and that’s okay. Instead of chasing disinterested members, focus on nurturing those who are actively contributing. In a future article I'll also explore offboarding as I think keeping membership 'fresh' is important and letting go of the disengaged (whilst maintaining a relationship) is essential.

Measuring Engagement Success

How do you know if engagement is working?

• Active participation rates: Are people showing up and contributing?
• Response times: Are members engaging quickly in discussions?
• Event attendance: Are people consistently involved?
• Feedback: Are members sharing what they find valuable?

My take away...

Attracting members is just the start. The real challenge—and opportunity—is creating a network where people feel compelled to engage, contribute, and stay.

#NetworksMatter #Engagement #CommunityBuilding #Leadership #Retention