We all are a part of communities. Some online, some offline.
But, how does it feel to manage a community altogether?
Is it cool, easy, and a bed of roses?
Or, is it overwhelming, toxic, and taking a toll on you?
Well, it’s no surprise that every day is not the same. Every day as a community manager is not like getting up on a bright sunny day with all the motivation to make an impact.
There are highs, and there are lows.
Here’s a hack though….
….. smart decision-making.
What do we mean by this?
One of the basic and super significant steps while building a community is to consider what kind of community you want to build.
For that, you must know what the types of communities that exist are.
Let’s talk about some.
Chat communities
When to choose chat as a platform for your community?
If you feel that real-time action should happen where people talk, meet, help, and connect with like-minded individuals, chat is your platform.
Chat communities have an aura where members feel like being involved in multiple tasks all at once.
So, if you want to be on the happening side of the industry.
PICK CHAT!!!
Where can you find chat communities?
Forum communities
Chat vs Forum is always a trending topic here.
Forum communities are meant to be highly value-driven.
Forums are a place where you can discuss a brand’s product or ask questions from the right people.
It is like a bunch of people connected online who can talk, work on a single goal, share their learnings, and even solve problems.
Up for some out-of-the-world knowledge-sharing experience?
Choose forum platforms to build your community.
Some fantastic places to look for forum communities:
Event communities
Online events' existence across various platforms says a lot about what an event community does.
Therefore, event communities are a group of people working on the technical, hosting, and managerial sides of events.
These groups produce resources for online gatherings (popularly known as webinars).
Some interesting event communities that exist today?
Hybrid communities
A hybrid community is like a combination of chat, forum, and other communities and can be a great way to connect with individuals who share your interests.
Picture this: chat communities provide a place for immediate, real-time discussion, while forum communities allow for more in-depth, asynchronous discussion. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses, but combining the two can give you the best of both worlds.
For example, let's say you're interested in discussing the latest episode of your favourite TV show. In a chat community, you can jump in and start talking to others about it immediately. But if you want to discuss the episode in more depth or discuss it with people who haven't seen it yet, a forum community would be a better place to do that.
Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to just one chat community or the forum community. You can belong to as many as you like and even participate in discussions in both simultaneously. Just remember to be respectful of other members and follow the community guidelines.
Hybrid community platforms that are available:
Learning communities
A learning community is a group of individuals who share a common interest in learning. Learning communities can be formed around any topic or subject, and can be as small as a handful of people or as large as a classroom full of students. Learning communities can meet in person or online, and can be structured in various ways. The common goal of a learning community is to provide its members with a supportive environment in which to share knowledge and ideas.
If you are looking for a way to deepen your understanding of a particular subject, or to meet other people who share your interests, a learning community might be the perfect solution. There are learning communities available on almost any topic, so you are sure to find one that meets your needs.
Some good learning communities:
Social Communities
While there are many different types of social communities, they all have one thing in common: they provide a sense of connection and belonging for their members. Whether it's a community of friends, family, or even a group of strangers with a shared interest, social communities offer a supportive network for people to interact and bond with one another.
For many people, social communities are an essential part of their lives. They provide a place to share common experiences, interests, and goals, and can even help people find a purpose in their lives. In a world that can often feel isolating and lonely, social communities offer a much-needed sense of connection and belonging.
A few great social community platforms now:
How to select the best platform for yourself?
Here’s a quick table to help you understand which platform you require depending on your needs.
Isn’t it made easy enough, now?
Give it a shot!!
Wrapping up
Choosing the right platform for your community is important! It can affect how fast your business grows or how much value you provide. The mentioned ones are good to start, but there are many other tools out there. It’s vital to understand that there are many different types of platforms, and they all have their own unique characteristics. One platform may be great for one project and may not be best for another. Finding the right ones for you is critical to your success.
