"The Power of Curation in Community Building: Designing Successful Social Products"

"The Power of Curation in Community Building: Designing Successful Social Products"

Curating content in a community is not just about creating a resource for your members to access. It is an exercise that creates immense value for both you and your members. While the value for members is clear - the ability to access trusted and vetted information quickly - for community builders, the value lies in the act of curation itself.

When we curate, we can't help but learn and understand the community we serve. As we process what our members are sharing, new ideas pop up and spread. This continuous learning allows us to pass on valuable information to our community, further enhancing its value. Community curation is for us first, and our members second.

But how do we ensure that the content we curate is worth saving? Before saving anything, we must ask ourselves whether it is truly valuable. If it is, we capture it. However, it is important to note that if everything is deemed special, then nothing is truly special. It is the ability to connect the dots and curate content that is not only helpful for anyone in a business but also creates a powerful impact.

In community building, the focus is on helping our people - our members. But it is also essential to consider that our community extends beyond just our immediate members. It can potentially include every employee in our company. By curating content and creating a repository of knowledge, we can empower and benefit everyone within our organization.

Now, let's delve into how we can design successful social products by incorporating three habit-forming feedback loops.

1. The Content Poster Feedback Loop:
   The first feedback loop aims to reward content posters when they push new content into the network. By providing social feedback and recognition to content creators, we encourage them to continue creating valuable content. If content creation is made easy enough and the social feedback is compelling enough, this loop will lead to a continuous cycle of content creation, further enriching our community.

2. The Passive Consumer Feedback Loop:
   The second feedback loop focuses on rewarding passive content consumers with relevant and valuable content. By understanding the preferences and interests of our users, we can personalize their content consumption experience. When users receive content that resonates with them, they are more likely to remain engaged and continue consuming content within our community.

3. The Connection Feedback Loop:
   The third feedback loop rewards and culls connections within the network. As connections are established and nurtured within our community, it is essential to ensure that these connections are meaningful and valuable. By encouraging and rewarding positive interactions between members, we strengthen the bonds within our community. On the other hand, if certain connections become detrimental or toxic, it is crucial to identify and address them promptly to maintain a healthy and thriving community.

It is important to recognize that when even one of these feedback loops starts to fail, it can lead to stagnation and, ultimately, network collapse. Therefore, it is vital to continuously evaluate and optimize these feedback loops to create a positive and engaging community experience.

In conclusion, the power of curation in community building lies not only in creating a resource for members but also in the process of curating itself. By curating content, we learn, understand, and connect with our community on a deeper level. Additionally, by incorporating habit-forming feedback loops, we can design successful social products that foster engagement, growth, and a sense of belonging within our community.

Actionable Advice:

1. Regularly evaluate and curate your curated content repository to ensure that only the most valuable and relevant information is saved. Quality over quantity is key.
2. Continuously gather feedback from your community members to understand their preferences and interests. This will allow you to personalize their content consumption experience, keeping them engaged and satisfied.
3. Monitor and nurture the connections within your community. Reward positive interactions and promptly address any detrimental or toxic connections. A healthy and supportive community is built on meaningful connections.

By implementing these actionable advice, you can enhance the power of curation in your community building efforts and design social products that truly add value to your members' lives.