strategy
The Long Tail of Community
After 20+ years of building communities and watching how people interact within them, I've noticed something that nobody really talks about. I call this phenomenon the long-tail of community.
engagement
pop up community
Less is More: The Art of Using Creativity in Community Building
Community is about creativity—both for you as a builder and for the people who participate. Learn how to create openings for participation.
audience
Know Your People: 5 Ways You Can Outcare the Competition
The key to building a successful internet business is truly understanding your audience. Whether you're building a community, launching a product, or offering a service, starting with your people gives you a significant competitive edge.
membership
Game On: Learning from the Biggest Digital Industry on the Planet
Remember those playground games, board game nights, or impromptu volleyball matches? They're all part of the gaming ecosystem, and they hold valuable lessons for building community.
challenge
The Threshold Community Model: From Confusion to Clarity and Beyond
Plan Community Like You Play Games -- The Threshold Community Model is structured around challenges, a timeline, and stages. Each step is designed to channel the community’s initial energy into productive, goal-oriented actions.
engagement
Riding the Energy Wave to Better Engagement
If you don't tune into your community's preferences, you're setting the stage for disengagement and dissatisfaction.
curiosity
Curiosity as Catalyst
Success in community-based businesses boils down to a simple, yet profound recipe: mix curiosity with creativity, let it simmer over time, and serve it up with a side of you becoming an indispensable resource.
feedback
Seedback, not Feedback
The strength and depth of your community are directly proportional to the effort you invest in it.
minimalist
The Paradox of More in Less: Enhancing Community Experience by Subtraction
When it comes to building community, less is more. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but simplicity is the key to creating a more engaging, valuable, and connected community.
engagement
The Campfire Strategy for Re-engaging Community Members
Ever launched a great community event only to hear crickets? You’ve built this epic hub where ideas should be flying, but instead, you’re staring at a ghost town.
Creativity
Creativity is Your Community Growth Engine
When you're launching or rebooting a community, or even sparking a micro-community within your space, creativity isn’t just nice to have—it's your ace in the hole.
Launch, Getting Started, Paywall, Corhort, Access
Five Soft Launch Steps for Your Community Initiatives
Done right, a soft launch will help you build trust and momentum while you also learn about your members. You'll have a 'go' or 'no go' from those whose opinions matter most, saving you and your community members invaluable time and energy.