Beks Yelland’s Post

If done wrong, a community can hurt your brand. About 70% of the companies I’ve worked with over the past five years wanted to build a community. And sure, it sounds great — loyal users, boosting sales, better retention, easy feedback loops. 🛑 But here’s the catch: most teams don’t realize how much it takes to make a community work. 1. Best case scenario: You end up with a dead chat, thread, or channel where nothing is happening. Spoiler alert: adults don’t just start talking to each other—you need to guide them. A lifeless community makes new members question whether you actually have loyal users, or worse, whether you care enough to put time and effort into managing them. They feel let down, don’t see any value, and leave with a bad impression. 2. Worst case scenario: Your community spirals out of control, often becoming loud and toxic. This happens when you skimp on community management, moderation, and onboarding. If you don’t build a proper structure, the community will create its own — and it’s likely to reject anything new, from fresh members to even the founders. Because this is how community psychology works. Still, if done right, communities can be incredibly valuable for both your brand and long-term product growth. So if you decide to go all-in on this, take it seriously — invest heavily in the execution. It’s not an easy ride, but the payoff can be great. #growth #community #communitymanagement #brandmanagement

The first month of your paid community can make or break it. But here's the truth: It’s not about throwing fancy events or stuffing it with content. It’s about creating momentum that sticks. Here’s how: 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐬 Personalized intros, clear expectations, and a warm vibe set the tone. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 Show members early value—actionable advice, connections, or quick results. 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 Create threads that invite engagement. A quiet community is a dying one. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 Celebrate your members' stories, wins, and contributions. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨 Feedback isn’t failure. It’s fuel to improve and deliver better. In my early days of managing communities, I obsessed over perfection. Now, I focus on connection. And guess what? Members stay longer. They’re more engaged. And they even bring in others. The secret? Start simple. Focus on them. Build momentum that lasts. What’s your top tip for building an engaged community? Let’s learn together. #CommunityBuilding #PaidMemberships #OnlineCommunities #Engagement #GrowthTips

Have you ever felt the sting of being ignored? I have. 😕 Last year, I poured my heart out in a feedback survey for an online community I loved. 📝 Weeks passed, and… nothing changed. I felt invisible and unimportant, ready to leave. 🚫 Then the lesson hit home: Most communities are full of valuable feedback, but so much of it goes unheard, unacted on, or buried under vague suggestions. It seems there’s a trend: At first, things seem fine—engagement is steady, and members contribute. But slowly, cracks appear. Comments like, “The platform feels boring 😕” or “Can we do something more interactive?” start popping up. The community manager collects the feedback—but then comes the hard part: What next? 🔄 The Feedback Loop That Builds Trust 1️⃣ Listen actively. Collect feedback through multiple channels—surveys, social media, and even casual chats. Pay attention to what’s said between the lines. 2️⃣ Analyze smartly. Look for patterns. Which issues surface repeatedly? Which suggestions align with your community’s goals? 3️⃣ Take meaningful action. Start small: tackle the quick wins first. Visible progress fuels momentum. 🚀 4️⃣ Close the loop. Communicate back to your members: “Because of your feedback, we’ve implemented X.” It’s not just action—it’s acknowledgement. Why It Matters ✅ Members stay engaged when they know their opinions count. ✅ Trust is built when actions match words. ✅ Your community evolves, meeting members’ changing needs. 💡 Quick Tip: Create a survey today and promise to act on one piece of feedback within the next 30 days. So, what’s the one piece of feedback you know could take your community to the next level—but you haven’t acted on it yet? Don’t sit on it—move on it. Because building a community isn’t just about listening—it’s about proving that what your members say matters. 🎯 Here’s to listening, learning, and leading with action! Wishing you a day filled with progress and purpose! 🌱 💗 Alfred Sofela #CommunityBuilding #MemberFeedback #CommunityEngagement #CommunityManagement #OnlineCommunities #Kindred #AlfredSofela _ Are you connecting for the first time? Meet Alfred Sofela (also known as Prof), a Community Building Strategist and Founder of Kindred Global Initiative, a supportive online community for community builders. Need help to grow a thriving online community? Subscribe to our Kindred Newsletter for valuable strategies, expert advice, and community insights. Subscribe on LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/dVEB5FrU

How I Feel as a Community Manager. (Part 3) Why It’s All Worth It During rough patches, there are stories that uplift me. Like when a member reaches out just to say that a post brightened their day or made them feel heard. These small, heartfelt interactions is everything. They remind me that beyond analytics and strategy, it’s the "human touch" that matters. Boundaries and Self-Care One of the challenges that I continue to navigate is finding a balance. It’s easy to become immersed in the community to the point of burnout. I’ve had to remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup. Setting boundaries and taking moments to step back is essential, not just for my well-being but for the health of the community itself. A community thrives best when its manager is at their best. Looking Forward I’m still on this journey, learning, growing, and sharing. There will be more highs, more lows, and undoubtedly more lessons. But what stays constant is community. Knowing that I get to build, support, and witness the growth of this collective space is what keeps me going, even on the challenging days. Thank you for taking the time to read all 3 parts of my journey. If you’re a community manager, I’d love to hear about your experiences too. Let’s share and learn from each other. #communitymanager #socialmedia #digitalmarketing #advertising

Our Story In today’s digital age, technology has made us more connected than ever—yet, many people still feel profoundly alone. According to Cigna’s U.S. Loneliness Index, over 58% of U.S. adults experience loneliness, with younger generations, like Millennials and Gen Z, feeling the effects most acutely. (Source: Cigna’s U.S. Loneliness Index, 2023) Despite endless options for texting, social media, and messaging apps, something vital is missing: real, human conversations. Research shows that many people crave deeper, meaningful connections but often don’t know where to turn in a world that prioritizes convenience over genuine interaction. Rent a Friend Club was created to address this growing need. Our founder, Patrick, recognized that while technology has its benefits, it often replaces the personal touch of a phone call or the warmth of a face-to-face conversation. He envisioned a platform where people could connect authentically—on their own terms—through meaningful chats and video calls, fostering the kind of companionship that technology alone can’t replace. Whether you’re looking for someone to share your thoughts with, talk about your passions, or just have a friendly voice on the other end of the line, Rent a Friend Club is here to bridge the gap. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and connected.

Over the last couple of months, when I think of community and what makes the most sense to articulate, this phrase "Come for the Product, Stay for the Community" is one that always sticks out. A great product can capture attention, but it’s the community around it that creates lasting value. In today's world, people don’t just want a solution—they want to feel connected, be inspired, and belong to something bigger. That’s where the magic of community comes in. Whether it’s a professional network, a learning hub, or a fan base, "communities transform transactional experiences into human ones"—and that’s what keeps people engaged. 💬✨ So, the next time you think about your product, ask yourself: how are you building a community around it that makes people want to stay? Have something to add? A different perspective? Let's Chat! #CommunityBuilding #ProductDesign #CustomerExperience #Belonging #Engagement #Growth

🚀 How We Exploded Our Skool Community Engagement: 600 to 9,400 Daily Activities in Just ONE WEEK Ever wondered how to transform a quiet online community into a bustling hub of activity? We recently achieved this with our Skool community, and I'm thrilled to share our exact strategy. Here's our step-by-step playbook: 1️⃣ Implement a "Start Here" Section: Created a clear roadmap for new members Replaced overwhelming comment threads with structured onboarding Result: Immediate jump to 3,000-5,500 daily activities 2️⃣ Introduce Personalized Welcome Posts: Designed a template for introductions (name, location, goals, interests) Encouraged existing members to engage with newcomers Outcome: Instant connections and increased sense of belonging 3️⃣ Design a Gamified Leveling System: Created meaningful levels (e.g., Beginner, Helper, Schooler, Creator) Unlocked perks at each level to incentivize progression Impact: Members actively working to level up, driving engagement 4️⃣ Launch Internal Contests: Introduced a 30-day challenge with cash prizes ($500 for 1st place, $350 for 2nd) Offered non-monetary rewards (e.g., one-on-one time with founders, community recognition) Result: Engagement skyrocketed to 9,000+ daily activities 5️⃣ Offer Lifetime Access for Top Contributors: Promised free lifetime access for reaching Level 8 Created "super users" who continually drive engagement Outcome: Long-term community sustainability and organic growth The Compound Effect: More engagement → More friendships formed Stronger bonds → Higher retention rates Active community → Reduced churn Real Results: Top performers reaching 4,000-7,000 activities per month New members hitting Level 3-6 within days of joining Dramatic increase in post interactions (100+ comments becoming common) Key Takeaway: A well-structured, gamified community with clear incentives can transform engagement levels almost overnight. Remember, it's not just about throwing money at the problem. Recognition, exclusive access, and opportunities for leadership can be equally powerful motivators. Have you experimented with similar strategies in your community? What worked best for you? Let's exchange ideas in the comments! #CommunityEngagement #OnlineCommunities #GrowthHacking #CustomerRetention #CommunityBuilding

I helped 2000 people wake up on time every single day. A few months ago, I started a challenge with my online community to wake up early - MISSION AMPOSSIBILE. It began as a personal goal but then turned into a community challenge. Now, we’re working on reducing screen time—tracking our usage and holding each other accountable. Social media often feels overwhelming, but I believe it can also be a space for positivity and purpose. That’s what I hope to create through these challenges. Here’s how we’re taking online community-building to the next level: 1. Virtual Accountability Through real-time check-ins and updates, we motivate each other to stay consistent. We’re each other’s accountability partners. The fact that 2,000 of us are doing this together helps create a strong team mentality. 2. Gamifying the Challenge To make each challenge exciting, I’ve created a system to GAMIFY it! Followers can sign up directly through a link, track my real-time progress, and even share checkpoints on their Instagram Stories to stay accountable. 3. Creating Community Members, Not Just Followers My aim is to build a space where people feel they’re part of something meaningful, where they aren’t just “following” but actively participating. This fosters a culture based on accountability and impact. 4. Encouragement, and Feedback I share daily reminders, encouragement, and tips that help everyone stay consistent. Plus, I gather feedback from the community. This way, the journey feels truly collaborative. 5. Real and lasting impact These challenges let me connect with my community in a way that goes beyond posting content. I’m building my own tribe of A-players—people who are committed to improving themselves and are passionate about personal growth. These challenges have shown me the true power of my community and social media. It’s proven how transformative this platform can be.

Are you looking to build a thriving community in 2024? Introducing the TRIBE framework. Developed by Greg Isenberg, the co-founder of Late Checkout, this framework focuses on five critical elements essential for a successful community: Togetherness, Rituals, Identity, Belonging, and Engagement. The Five Elements of TRIBE Togetherness: A digital (or physical) space where members of a community can interact. This could be on Slack, Discord, Facebook Groups, YouTube, Mastodon, or Twitter. Rituals: Regular, scheduled interactions that build rhythm and a sense of communal togetherness. Think of it as a common weekly date and time that the community gathers. Identity: The sense of self-importance a member feels by being part of the community. Would your community members proudly wear branded swag and get excited when they see others wearing it? Belonging: The emotional investment that members feel, often leading to a strong sense of identity associated with the community. Is your community welcoming to new members, or does it block off anyone wanting to join? Engagement: The active participation and contribution of members, driving the community forward. Does your community thrive even without your constant posting, commenting, and moderating? Measure your community with these five elements. If your community is lacking in any areas, focus on those pillars to help your community grow more naturally. Comment below and share which element your community resonates with in your tribe and where you see room for improvement! #CommunityBuilding #Leadership #TRIBEFramework #GregIsenberg #CommunityManagement #WarriorLeadershipAcademy 

Building a thriving online community doesn’t happen overnight; it requires dedication, patience, and consistent effort over time. However, if you begin to incorporate and practice these three seemingly small yet impactful habits on a daily basis, you’ll gradually start to feel as though the success of your community is just around the corner, ready to blossom. Engage with your audience, empower them to contribute, and continuously innovate to keep things fresh and exciting! 🤝✨ We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment or book a call with us to discuss how we can help you further! #CommunityBuilding #Innovation #Empowerment #Engagement