5 Effective Ways to Encourage Lurkers in Your Community to Engage

This is Flash, hiding under my desk during a thunderstorm. It’s storm season in Florida…yaaaay (sarcasm aside, we’ve gotten more than 20 inches of rain in the past few days…it’s seriously disgusting outside).  He probably wants to be outside playing or causing a ruckus with my other dog, Molly, but the thunder keeps him in his safe spot. Similarly, many members of your online community might like what you have to offer, but are afraid to leave their “safe spot” as a lurker, never actively engaging. Here are five friendly and effective ways to encourage these "lurkers" to step out and join the conversation.

1. Create a Welcoming Environment

Just like Flash feels safer when I’m working at the desk that he’s cowering under, community members need to feel welcomed and safe. Start by personally welcoming new members with a friendly message. Highlight community guidelines that promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere, and reach out to individuals from time to time just to check in and say hello. Imposter syndrome can also be a factor at play, especially in highly technical communities. Your lurkers might be worried about saying something wrong or somehow embarrassing themselves with a post. By fostering a warm and inviting environment, you can help lurkers feel more comfortable about participating.

2. Offer Gentle Prompts and Easy Wins

When Flash finally peeks out from under the desk, a gentle prompt—like offering his favorite chew toy or a baby carrot—can sloooowly coax him out. Similarly, in your community, start with low-pressure activities to encourage engagement. Simple questions or polls can be a great way to get members to start participating. For example, ask for their opinion on a relevant topic or their favorite product feature, and let them vote by selecting a radio button or checking a box, with additional comments as optional. These easy wins build confidence and can lead to more significant engagement later on.

3. Showcase Success Stories

Flash might be more inclined to play if he sees Molly having a blast with a new toy. At the very least, it will inspire some major league FOMO.  In your community, you can create a similar feeling by showcasing stories of members who have engaged and seen benefits from their participation. Highlighting positive outcomes, like a member who leveraged their case study to score a promotion in their last performance review, can inspire others to join in. 

4. Make It Personal

Understanding what motivates your community members is key. Just as Flash loves his outdoor walks (when it’s not looking like a monsoon outside), find out what your community members are passionate about. Use personalized invitations to encourage participation in activities that align with their interests. This could be a personal message inviting them to share their experience or a nudge to join a discussion on a topic they’ve shown interest in.

5. Recognize and Reward Engagement

I’m probably encouraging bad behavior, but when Molly and Flash team up to bark like the world is ending in order to get me to feed them early…it usually works. They know there’s a reward coming. Recognize and reward your community members for their contributions. Whether it’s a shout-out in a newsletter, a special badge, or tangible rewards like discounts or exclusive content, recognizing their efforts makes them feel valued and encourages further participation.

Encouraging lurkers to engage in your community doesn’t have to be daunting. By creating a welcoming environment, offering gentle prompts, showcasing success stories, making it personal, and recognizing engagement, you can turn passive members into active participants. Remember, it’s all about striking the right balance—motivating without pushing too hard and always putting your community members first.

If you’d like to build a vibrant community or give your current one a tuneup, reach out to us at CustomerCentrx. We’re here to help you foster engagement and create a thriving online space.