Some challenges might seem bigger than they actually are, but don't fret, we're here to help!
Working with hundreds of community leaders, we see a lot of the same challenges repeated in the lifecycles of so many communities. Whilst there isn't usually a quick fix to some of these challenges, putting in the time and effort will pay off in the long run!
Here are some common challenges and some solutions to steer you in the right direction:
Lack of Community engagement among members:
You may not be seeing any/the right kind of growth in terms of Monthly Active Users (MAU) or Weekly Active Users (WAU) and you’re concerned that this is because your members aren’t engaging with each other.
- Create interactive content with a purpose that encourages members to take part via commenting/likes etc.
- Use competitions and themes to encourage organic conversation.
- Schedule Posts, questions and Polls focusing on what’s important to members and relevant to your Community.
Can’t calculate your return on investment (ROI):
You may not know how to calculate your ROI as a first step, or maybe you run a free app with no level of monetisation so you’re struggling to get any kind of financial return.
Possible Solution:
- Never rule out the idea of Monetising your Community. This could take place in the form of third-party investment, a subscription to your Community or even promoting sponsored posts/folders from a brand that aligns with your values.
- Consider running Events and fundraisers with current community members and new ones, such as meetups.
No public visibility on your Community:
Your members only consist of individuals you’ve reached out to and you’re not seeing the organic growth you’ve hoped for.
Possible Solution:
- Invest time and resources into learning about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Consider the current state of your screenshots, Community name and description. Try to align yourself with high ranked search terms and keywords.
- Encourage members to leave positive reviews online.
- Share Referral Links to encourage members to tell their network.
Community management is not in your wheelhouse:
Even though you may be passionate about your Community, you may lack the knowledge, time and skills it takes to set one up and keep it running and growing organically.
Possible Solution:
- Why not try reading some Community management based books, such as ‘Get Together: How to Build a Community With Your People’ by People & Co.
- Consider hiring a part time Community manager or even appointing someone from within your Community.
- Plan your content in advance and schedule different pieces of content to become available at different dates and times.
We hope this gives you an idea of some of the straightforward ways you can overcome challenges you might be facing right now. However, if you need some more help, don't forget that as a Community Host, you have access to our internal Community app The Collective!
Why not pick the brains of some of your successful peers.