Learn how to use tools to create and maintain a vibrant and engaging professional community, from choosing the right platform to measuring the impact and value.

Make sure you have defined clear purpose, objectives and expected behaviours of your community before you choose which platform to use. So often, people jump in and decide technology before they have defined or explore the behaviours which they want to see.

When picking a platform for your community, think about your community as something that’s more than just the platform itself. It should exist offline regardless of a platform. I’ve often gone back and forth on this, but what I’ve found most valuable is consistently going back to my members, particularly my early adopters, and ask as many questions as possible. I’ve asked them where they want to engage. I tend to use a design thinking approach. I try to make it as frictionless as possible for them to join and engage in my community. I recommend try to avoid creating another place where people need to create accounts and share their data. Instead, see if you can become a part of their daily tech stack.

How do you use tools to build a professional community?

Building a professional community is a valuable way to network, learn, and collaborate with others who share your interests and goals. But how do you use tools to facilitate the process of creating and maintaining a vibrant and engaging community? In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of using tools to build a professional community, such as choosing the right platform, designing the structure and content, fostering interaction and feedback, and measuring the impact and value of your community.

1 Choose the right platform

The first step to using tools to build a professional community is to choose the right platform for your needs and objectives. There are many options available, such as social media, forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, newsletters, and online courses. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the size, scope, and purpose of your community. You should consider factors such as the ease of access, the level of control, the cost and maintenance, the features and functionality, and the compatibility and integration with other tools and platforms.

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Matthew Knight

Chief Freelance Officer at Freelancing.Support / Independent Strategist supporting businesses like Klarna, EY, adidas, Google, P&G and more / Community host at Outside Perspective / YJ Freelancer of the Year / Dad.
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Make sure you have defined clear purpose, objectives and expected behaviours of your community before you choose which platform to use. So often, people jump in and decide technology before they have defined or explore the behaviours which they want to see.

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DeMario Bell

Community and Employee Experience
(edited)
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When picking a platform for your community, think about your community as something that’s more than just the platform itself. It should exist offline regardless of a platform. I’ve often gone back and forth on this, but what I’ve found most valuable is consistently going back to my members, particularly my early adopters, and ask as many questions as possible. I’ve asked them where they want to engage. I tend to use a design thinking approach. I try to make it as frictionless as possible for them to join and engage in my community. I recommend try to avoid creating another place where people need to create accounts and share their data. Instead, see if you can become a part of their daily tech stack.

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Afifa Afzal

Web Designer || I create websites that attract customers, boost sales, and improve online visibility || With over 500 projects under my belt in web and graphic design || 3 years of experience.
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Prefer LinkedIn where truly people available and required services. 2nd Instagram for reach and also share your voice through video to your audience.

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Aditya A. Jain

making communities easy for the companies | family-friendly comedian
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Here are three things I take care of whenever I start a new community on any personal messaging platform: 1. Get a calendar made and shared with the community so that they know what will be part of their community meets/trainings and they can make an informed decision whether to join or not. 2. Messaging Platforms provide ease of access but they are a threat to privacy. Mention and assure that their contacts will not be shared with others by platform or otherwise. 3. If you can include an add-on on joining the community, for example, an online course/ or offline t-shirts. It will drastically increase your joining percentage.

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2 Design the structure and content

The next step to using tools to build a professional community is to design the structure and content of your community. This involves defining the vision, mission, and values of your community, as well as the goals and expectations of the members. You should also create a clear and consistent identity and brand for your community, such as a name, logo, color scheme, and tone of voice. Additionally, you should plan and produce relevant, engaging, and useful content for your community, such as articles, videos, podcasts, webinars, quizzes, polls, and challenges. You should also consider the frequency, format, and length of your content, as well as the sources and references you use.

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Afifa Afzal

Web Designer || I create websites that attract customers, boost sales, and improve online visibility || With over 500 projects under my belt in web and graphic design || 3 years of experience.
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Follow color scheme of your website at all social media platforms. Even logo etc. 2nd share carousel which presents solutions according to your niche.

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3 Foster interaction and feedback

The third step to using tools to build a professional community is to foster interaction and feedback among your members. This involves creating opportunities and incentives for your members to communicate, collaborate, and share their ideas, opinions, and experiences with each other and with you. You can use tools such as comments, chats, forums, polls, surveys, Q&A sessions, live events, and gamification to encourage participation and engagement. You should also provide constructive and timely feedback to your members, as well as solicit feedback from them on how to improve your community and content.

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Afifa Afzal

Web Designer || I create websites that attract customers, boost sales, and improve online visibility || With over 500 projects under my belt in web and graphic design || 3 years of experience.
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I love polls at LinkedIn and through polls you can gather your audience. 2nd showcase your projects 3rd share testimonials 4th stories These steps can be build up your brand authority

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4 Measure the impact and value

The final step to using tools to build a professional community is to measure the impact and value of your community. This involves collecting and analyzing data and metrics on how your community is performing and growing, such as the number of members, the activity level, the retention rate, the satisfaction rate, the conversion rate, and the revenue generated. You can use tools such as analytics, dashboards, reports, and testimonials to track and evaluate your results and outcomes. You should also use this information to adjust and optimize your strategy and tactics, as well as to celebrate and reward your achievements and successes.

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Afifa Afzal

Web Designer || I create websites that attract customers, boost sales, and improve online visibility || With over 500 projects under my belt in web and graphic design || 3 years of experience.
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After sharing the customer feedback, testimonials, stories must check or monitor the analytics and according to your analytics report work on your next posts

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Afifa Afzal

Web Designer || I create websites that attract customers, boost sales, and improve online visibility || With over 500 projects under my belt in web and graphic design || 3 years of experience.
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Monitor timing of your posts. Check when your audience is present or live and engage with your content. So, follow the timing

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How do you use tools to build a professional community?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Choose the right platform

2 Design the structure and content

3 Foster interaction and feedback

4 Measure the impact and value

5 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

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How do you use tools to build a professional community?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Choose the right platform

2 Design the structure and content

3 Foster interaction and feedback

4 Measure the impact and value

5 Here’s what else to consider

Facilitation

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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