How to Build a Thriving Community Around Your Business: A Talk by David Spinks
Transcript of How to Build a Thriving Community Around Your Business: A Talk by David Spinks
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How to Build a Thriving Community Around your Business
David SpinksCEO, CMX Media
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What is a Community?“A social unit (a group of three or more people) who share something in common, such as norms, values, identity, and often a sense of place...”
- Wikipedia
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Your business is a community.
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There are multiple member groups contributing to your mission.
Power UsersCustomers
Employees
Followers
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How can you maximize the value contributed by each level of membership?
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Collaboration: create a system for members to work together
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What collaborative systems can you create?
• Support – experts answer questions for others• Product – experienced users provide ideas and
feedback to improve the product• Acquisition – advocates spread the word about
the product• Content – contributors create the content on
your platform• Engagement – members connect with each
which increases retention
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Collaboration: create a system for members to work together+
Community: fuel engagement and activity in the system
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The 10-Step Process to Launch a Thriving Community
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1. Identity
2. Trust
3. Participation
4. Reward
The CMX Community Engagement Cycle
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Phase 1: Build the Foundation
Phase 2: Move to Scalable Solution
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Phase 1: Build the Foundation
1. Identify your first members
2. Get buy in for community
3. Bring them together (ideally for live event)
4. Ask for feedback and plan next event
5. Repeat, repeat, repeat…
1. Identity
2. Trust
3. Participation
4. Reward
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Phase 2: Move to Scalable Platform6. Identify ideal first
members for new platform
7. Get their buy in8. Invite first members and
fuel participation9. Collect feedback and
plan next steps10.Repeat, repeat, repeat..
1. Identity
2. Trust
3. Participation
4. Reward
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1. Identity
2. Trust
3. Participation
4. Reward
The Community Commitment Curve