Connecting Members in Online Communities
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Connecting your online community members can feel like an overwhelming task as a new community-builder, but it doesn’t have to be.
As a host, you’ll want to find new and creative ways to ignite your community with courses, challenges, events, and weekly or monthly connection calls.
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Check out this post on 2022 Community Industry Trends
To get some ideas I’ve put together some great resources to use when you are working on connecting your community at any stage, during or after your launch, and as you grow your online community.
It is great to read a book, take a course, or complete a challenge, but by doing something TOGETHER with others on the journey of life we can all connect and relate to each other in some way. Community makes this possible and offers the opportunity to dive deeper, cultivate meaningful connections, and collaborate with others all over the world.
Book to read
I’ve been a Brené Brown fan for a few years now, but truthfully have only read — well — listened to her book Braving the Wilderness which I wrote about in 2017 on this blog post. Until this past month, I learned about her new book, Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience.
As I learn more about connecting members inside an online community I find one of the most valuable lessons is how to effectively communicate with them.
In Atlas of the Heart, Brown methodically dissects 87 emotions and experiences to explore their meanings that can be understood and expressed in a variety of ways. Each section of the book is broken up into “Places we go…” and shares emotions in the context of topics including; Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain, Places We Go When We Compare, and Places We Go When Things Don’t Go As Planned, to name a few.
I’ll just share one quote that directly relates to connection but to be honest, the entire book is a fantastic and interesting read for self-awareness and improved communication with coworkers, family members, friends, and all amazing humans you want to connect with on a deeper level with an approach of emotional intelligence.
“Gratitude is an emotion that reflects our deep appreciation for what we value, what brings meaning to our lives, and what makes us feel connected to ourselves and others.”
Video to watch
In this Ted Talk, Connected, but alone? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication — and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connections we want to have.
In this powerful talk, she says “We expect more from technology and less from each other.” Turkle shares that we are lonely but afraid of intimacy and being vulnerable or sharing our true selves as a society. Turning to technology to help us feel connected in “ways we can control” but we aren’t in control and the social media platforms are in control.
Click HERE to Download Our Free Five-Step Guide: How to Launch Your First Paid Online Community
Insightful Article to read
In this Forbes article, Making Connections And Building Online Communities In A Challenging Year, learn about how to build and cultivate a thriving brand community through the power of events, apps, and platforms that create a deeper connection than the mainstream social media channels you’ve been used to using for connecting to others.
“At a time when everyone is seeking more human interaction, online communities provide the ability for companies to connect with customers on a deeper, more authentic level — one that can generate greater brand loyalty while providing insight into what customers actually want and need. This enables companies to respond accordingly and to quickly adjust product plans if needed to reflect their audience’s desires.
Conversation starters
Kat Vellos created a cool calendar that gives you a full year of daily conversation starters to spark authentic connections and deeper connections in all parts of your life. Each month offers fresh alternatives to the typical questions you hear all day (e.g. how are you, where you from, how was school or work today, what did you do this weekend, etc). Bring new life to your conversations! You’ll boost your social skills AND your reputation as a sparkling conversationalist.
Click HERE to Download Our Free Five-Step Guide: How to Launch Your First Paid Online Community
About
Deb Schell is the Creator of Find Calm Here LLC — As a community strategist, she helps female entrepreneurs and executives find calm in building, launching, and growing paid online communities. Visit the Find Calm Here website or click here to contact Deb.
Click HERE to Download Our Free Five-Step Guide: How to Launch Your First Paid Online Community
