The Importance of Building for Believers and Understanding Community-Member-Fit

The Importance of Building for Believers and Understanding Community-Member-Fit

Building a successful community requires careful consideration of the members' commitment level and finding the right fit between the community and its members. By understanding these key aspects, it becomes easier to create an engaged and thriving community.

One of the core principles of building a community is to lower the barrier to entry and gradually increase the commitment level of its members. This approach is exemplified by Meetup and Airbnb, who started by asking for small commitments from their members. Meetup would first ask new members to read a blog post and attend an event before inviting them to host a meetup. Similarly, Airbnb would have new members watch a video about how the platform works and then encourage them to book a stay.

The idea behind this approach is that people are more likely to say yes to larger commitments if they've already said yes to smaller ones. By gradually increasing the ask, community builders can generate more commitment and provide more rewarding experiences for their members.

To find the right fit between the community and its members, it's essential to identify the point at which members consistently provide meaningful value to each other without being prompted. This concept, known as Community-Member-Fit (CMF), is crucial for the long-term success of a community.

Instead of copying how an established community works, it's more effective to understand how it started. Meetup and Airbnb began by focusing on actions at the top of the commitment curve and targeting the biggest believers – themselves. By starting with highly committed individuals who were already trying, unsuccessfully, to achieve what the community offers, they were able to build a solid foundation.

Contrary to popular belief, a community doesn't need thousands of members to thrive. It only requires a small group of true believers. These early adopters are essential for self-organizing events and driving the growth of the community. Instead of targeting successful conference organizers, it's more effective to find smaller organizers who still need assistance and have the motivation to contribute but haven't been successful yet.

In the case of starting a new community, the focus should be on finding CMF within this small group of believers. By identifying individuals who are already actively trying to engage in the community's offerings, the only hurdle left is convincing them to join forces and contribute within the community.

In conclusion, building a community that thrives requires a deep understanding of the members' commitment level and finding the right fit between the community and its members. By gradually increasing the commitment level through incremental asks and targeting highly committed individuals, community builders can create a solid foundation. Additionally, focusing on finding CMF within a small group of believers and providing support to those who are motivated but haven't been successful yet can drive the growth and engagement of the community.

Actionable Advice:

1. Lower the barrier to entry: Start by asking for small commitments and gradually increase the level of engagement. This approach allows members to build trust and commitment over time.
2. Identify highly committed individuals: Look for those who are already trying, unsuccessfully, to achieve what the community offers. They are more likely to become the biggest believers and drive the growth of the community.
3. Provide support to motivated individuals: Find those who have the motivation but haven't been successful yet. Offer assistance and resources to help them achieve their goals within the community.

By following these actionable pieces of advice, community builders can lay the foundation for a thriving and engaged community.