How to Activate your Community for Impact

“I think that instead of the Brand, we should figure out the Purpose of Airbnb and its community. There clearly is a huge and vital community of Hosts, Guests and Employees. Let’s figure out what role Airbnb plays in their lives and why they are committed to it. If we can do that, then it will be much easier to figure out what Airbnb’s Brand is. Bu... See more

- If you’re also measuring the impact on the business, that doesn’t make it less of an “authentic community” initiative. In fact, it’s critical to be able to show the value of your community, because that’s what will help you justify and grow your investment in serving your members.

Focus on building with the community, not just for the community. Building programs that reward participation, provide a sense of ownership and establish participation as a requirement to membership will instill a feeling of reciprocity and value within the community.

1:10 - When starting a community: 1. community is for the community members. Not "your" community. It's the members'. 2. As a brand and community facilitator, it's important to highlight useful things from the community. Useful answers, tips & tricks, and workflows. Showcase. 3. Actively involve your community with testing new features. Invite ... See more

What is something your people can’t do solo? Or that would be better in a group? The more compelling the shared activity, the more likely you are to spark a community. Is the activity purposeful? Tie the activity back to your community’s purpose. And communicate that purpose explicitly, as Gavin Pretor-Pinney did when he formed the Cloud Appreciati

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To spark your community, you got people together and helped them start talking. Stay with it! The missing ingredient in many would-be communities is dedication. We put on one-off events or annual fundraisers, but we don’t give potential community members the chance to keep showing up or to raise their hands to take on responsibilities.