Designed to Connect: The Subtle Art of Making Relationships Your Community Superpower

If you're building a community, retention is the biggest headache you have. It starts slowly...starts to burn...and then suddenly you have a real problem on your hands.

Success isn't about how flashy your logo looks or having amazing moderation rules.

It doesn't matter if you're running a free community or charging entry – if people aren't sticking around, you've got a problem.

You're competing with the tech giants for the attention of your members. You might think you need to pull out all the stops with marketing gimmicks or fancy new features. Don't bother.

The secret sauce to keeping your community buzzing and growing is all about sparking and nurturing those connections between your members.

Here's how to make retention more than just a box to tick; let's make it your community's superpower.

The Power of Connection

Community happens when people get together. When it comes to retention, it's less about what people are working on and more about who people are working with.

It's about creating spaces where members can discover others with similar interests, enabling the first seeds of friendship to sprout.

But how do we cultivate these connections in a meaningful way?

Instead of creating bad first dates on the regular, consider implementing a member database. I've used Airbale in the past, and this allows individuals to share their profiles and interests.

As a community builder, you get great information on your membership. It also adds a personal touch and makes it easier for members to find and connect with like-minded individuals on their own terms.

Action Steps:

1. Create a Member Database: Utilize platforms like Airtable to allow members to create profiles that highlight their interests and hobbies.
2. Promote Profile Sharing: Encourage members to share their profiles within the community, for example, through a monthly spotlight or feature.
3. Facilitate Interest-Based Groups: Organize sub-groups or channels based on common interests to help members find their niche within the larger community. Don't go crazy, but be supportive. If it doesn't last, then you can always change the channel to a new area.

Integrating Small Group Dynamics

Another dimension of fostering connections is by integrating small group components into live events.

The big event – the big guest – attracts the right folks, but it's up to you to figure out how you want to engage them.

Creating a ritual of smaller group work offers a more relaxed environment for members to engage in deeper conversations and form closer bonds.

Even if these small rooms aren't where the "magic" happens, they provide invaluable practice for members to feel comfortable sharing and connecting on a personal level.

Community Relationships are about Discovery

Reminders, community isn't about finding the exactly right person...the odds are fairly low on this happening. Instead, it's about building meaningful relationships and playing the long-term game.

You are increasing your surface area for luck!

Action Steps:

1. Breakout Sessions in Events: Include small group breakout sessions in your virtual or in-person events to facilitate personal connections.
2. Small Group Challenges: Create challenges or activities that require small group collaboration, encouraging interaction.
3. Host Regular Small Group Meetups: Schedule regular, topic-specific meetups that allow members to discuss their interests in a more intimate setting.

Welcoming New Members

Welcoming new members is crucial in fostering a sense of belonging from the outset. A personalized approach can make all the difference in helping new members feel valued and included.

The key here is to help make new members feel right at home.

Action Steps:

1. Personalized Welcome Messages: Send personalized messages or emails to new members, introducing them to the community and highlighting ways to get involved. This is a great time to connect them with other members in your community with shared interests.
2. Put New Members on Blast: Curate great introductions for these new members based on their membership questions.
3. Welcome Programs: Consider implementing a welcome program with a weekly or bi-weekly gathering to help connect new members with a peer co-pilot to navigate these early days.

The Final Word

By dedicating even a small portion of your work to facilitating these connections, you empower members to build relationships. Bonus, this also strengthens the fabric of the community itself.

Every interaction, every shared interest, and every new friendship adds another layer of depth and vibrancy to the community tapestry.

Don't just invite members into a space; help weave them into a community where something incredible is about to happen.