In today's world where there is a whole other universe online through technology, building a community may require more than just creating a space for people to connect. It involves intentional efforts to create a sense of belonging, foster engagement, and cultivate a supportive environment where members can thrive.
Last February 3rd to March 16th, I was lucky enough to be part of cohort #2310 of the HubSpot Academy Building Community for Marketing, Sales, & Service Bootcamp. It was an awesome 6 weeks of understanding the value of community, strategizing on ways to build deeper connections with people, and engaging in conversations with community leaders all of over the world. Lead by HubSpot Certified Instructors Dan Moyle, Molly Rigatti, and Josh Wingate of Impulse Creative, we were able to discover how our community brand and intention to nurture can help our members and even us leaders to #GrowBetter and #InspireInnovation together.
To sum up my nugget learnings from the bootcamp, here are four key gems to building a successful community:
- Listen
- Inspire
- Optimize
- Nurture
If you notice it, the gems spell out as "LION" because when you graduate from a HubSpot Academy Bootcamp, you're officially one of Dan Tyre's lions. 🦁
Listen.
One of the most important aspects of building a community is listening to your members. This means actively soliciting feedback, understanding their needs, and adapting your approach to meet their expectations. By listening to your members, you'll be able to create a community that truly meets their needs and fosters a sense of belonging. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one conversations.
Inspire.
Inspiring your members is another key gem of building a successful community. This means creating a shared vision, setting goals, and providing opportunities for members to learn and grow. By inspiring your members, you'll be able to foster a sense of purpose and direction within your community. This can be done through regular communication, sharing success stories, and highlighting the impact of your community.
Optimize.
Optimizing your community is all about creating a seamless experience for your members. This means ensuring that your platform is user-friendly, that your content is relevant and engaging, and that your processes are efficient. By optimizing your community, you'll be able to reduce barriers to participation and make it easier for members to connect and engage. This can be done through regular updates, user testing, and ongoing improvements to your processes and procedures.
Nurture.
Finally, nurturing your community is essential for long-term success. This means providing ongoing support, creating opportunities for growth, and fostering a sense of community spirit. By nurturing your community, you'll be able to build lasting relationships and create a supportive environment where members can thrive. This can be done through regular check-ins, offering resources and support, and creating opportunities for members to connect with each other.
In conclusion, building a successful community requires intentional efforts to Listen, Inspire, Optimize, and Nurture. By actively soliciting feedback, creating a shared vision, optimizing your platform and processes, and providing ongoing support, you can create a thriving community that supports the needs and goals of your members. With dedication and effort, your community can become a powerful tool for achieving success and making a positive impact in the world.
The bootcamp is still fresh in my mind and I'm so grateful to our instructors and my fellow cohort "Otters" for making these past 6 weeks an inspiring one. At the end of it all, there's no community without its people. So always work with love, yearn to truly connect, and strive intentionally good with your community everyday.
Want to be part of the next Community Bootcamp? Submit an application below!
And if you're looking to find your people of HubSpotters in the Philippines, join our awesome community at HUG Manila today!
