Building for Believers: Strategies for Cultivating and Engaging a Strong Community

Building for Believers: Strategies for Cultivating and Engaging a Strong Community

In the digital age, building a strong and engaged community is crucial for the success of any organization or platform. But how do you go about creating a community that not only attracts members, but also keeps them actively involved and committed? This article explores two different perspectives on community-building - "Building for Believers" and "You Won't Finish This Article" - and uncovers common points and actionable advice that can help you foster a thriving community.

"Building for Believers" emphasizes the importance of gradually ramping up commitment and lowering the barriers to entry. The idea is to start with small asks and gradually increase the level of commitment required from community members. Meetup, for example, doesn't immediately ask new members to host a meetup. Instead, they encourage them to read a blog post and attend an event first. Similarly, Airbnb doesn't ask new members to immediately post a listing. They begin by asking them to watch a video about how Airbnb works and then try booking a stay. By starting with smaller asks and gradually increasing the level of commitment, community members are more likely to say yes and become more engaged over time.

A key concept in "Building for Believers" is Community-Member-Fit (CMF). CMF refers to the point at which members consistently provide meaningful value to each other without being asked. To find CMF, it is important to start with people who already have a high level of commitment and belief in what the community offers. These individuals are already trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to do what the community aims to facilitate. The goal is to convince them to do it with you, thus creating a strong foundation for the community. Remember, you don't need a thousand people to start a community - ten true believers can be enough.

Now, let's shift our focus to "You Won't Finish This Article." This perspective highlights an interesting trend in online behavior - the disconnect between scroll depth and sharing. Research suggests that only a small number of people actually read articles in their entirety. The more a writer types, the more readers tend to tune out. This raises questions about the authenticity of online recommendations and social media sharing. Just because someone is sharing an article doesn't necessarily mean they have read it.

So, how can these two perspectives be connected to create actionable strategies for building and engaging a strong community? Here are three key takeaways:

1. Gradually increase commitment: When onboarding new community members, start with small asks and gradually increase the level of commitment required. This allows individuals to become familiar with the community and feel a sense of progression as they contribute more.

2. Find the motivated but unsuccessful: To identify individuals who are likely to be highly committed to your community, look for those who are already trying to engage in similar activities but haven't achieved success yet. They are more likely to be receptive to your help and guidance.

3. Foster genuine engagement: While social media sharing can be valuable in spreading the word about your community, it's important to focus on creating meaningful interactions within the community itself. Encourage members to actively participate, provide value to each other, and form genuine connections.

In conclusion, building a strong and engaged community requires a thoughtful approach that combines elements from "Building for Believers" and "You Won't Finish This Article." By gradually increasing commitment, finding motivated individuals who need your help, and fostering genuine engagement, you can cultivate a thriving community that not only attracts new members but also keeps them actively involved and committed. Remember, it's not about the quantity of members, but the quality of their engagement that truly matters.