13 Advantages from Online Communities for Businesses in 2023 |
Anne Cocquyt had a passion for hosting live, gatherings for women San Francisco - "I just felt like there really needed to be an actual women-focused community for female business owners," Cocquyt says. "Something that would support the women who wanted to build businesses and create amazing companies in the marketplace." ."
Then she began hosting live on-site events, and also built an enthusiastic group of female entrepreneurs. Events struck a chord, people loved the events. But the excitement fizzled in between.
That's when she decided to make the same decision and do it online. She chose The GUILD, an online community of more than 1300 members where women entrepreneurs and leaders have access to networking opportunities as well as professional development.
Anne's users experienced life-changing benefits that an online community could provide.
Here at Mighty We're a culture-based software platform with community built-in. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a HUGE surprise that we believe in the benefits of communities, mainly because we've seen the benefits of them in person.
In this piece, we'll introduce you to 13 benefits of online communities. It doesn't matter if you're an enterprise seeking to include communities to your services or a creative looking to make money, an avid seeking to connect an intimate group of individuals and alumni groups or a non-profit organisation looking to provide your supporters an extra benefit, there's something on this list for everyone.
If you want more support to build your community online Join OUR Mighty Community for free and get to know other newly well-established community owners! We'd love to have you join us. Sign up for free!
This piece...
1. Connections you won't find anywhere elsewhere
2. The impact you can make by scaling
3. The teaching that is enduring
4. Do not fight against an algorithm
6. Professional courses that are fun
7. Making a business that is viable
8. The process of learning to use a device
12. Making money from a following on social media
1. Connections you won't find anywhere and everywhere else
Rae Benjamin was a writer seeking a job however, she didn't wish to publish novels. Thanks to a screenwriting course at college, she discovered her calling: to write scripts. Following a couple unsuccessful attempts, she committed her efforts to working out ways to make a career of it.
The outcomes were amazing. A fellowship with the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, the opportunity to work as a writer's assistant for Bridgerton, the Netflix Special, Bridgerton, and - her current role - a script coordinator for the show The Witcher.
But Rae didn't rest on her laurels. She needed a method to give back. The result came in the form of In the Cut, a community that helps Black and marginalized artists break into the television and film business.
What Rae created with In The Cut is unique and unique. A community you'll not discover anywhere else. This is why one of the most appealing things about community sites is that they're able to build unique connections that you'd NEVER meet anywhere else. We've seen communities that come in all sizes and shapes, created around just about any topic that can get people interested.
If you're looking for something unique, for an assortment of connections unlike anything else, there's a good chance there's a community to help you (or in the event that it doesn't, you should! ).
2. Scaling your impact
Drew Binsky is a YouTube travel-related vlogger that has been to all 197 countries in the world and picked up 3.4 million viewers along the way. With more than 5 billion views of his channel he was looking for an app that can inspire others to travel and be connected with other travelers who are like him.
His answer was to build the community of Mighty. His travel app, Just Go, hit more than 20,000 people in its first week. By launching a travel app, Drew's audience could take it to the next level and not only in terms of communicating with him, but also for connecting others who are traveling. The majority of his audience comprised of 25-33 y/o digital nomads made use of the app to get to know their fellow travelers, share travel ideas, and also connect at live events.
It's also possible that Drew's travel application and online community is now leading to actual-life interactions! The group pictured here at the LA Meetup in the year 2000.
3. Teaching that is enduring
Doug Neill had a passion based on a creative talent he'd found: sketch noting. Sketch noting involves taking notes in a visual manner, and Doug knew that there must be hundreds of others who'd be interested in learning this technique. And with a background in teaching, he knew he was a great person to help others learn this skill.
He had tried a variety of ways to get his courses available, and then launched an online community with The Verbal to the Visual. The course was uploaded there and unintentionally discovered one benefit of online communities: that classes that are powered by communities can be more efficient. He doesn't only have students but an online community of students that are learning from each other as well as each other. The group was so enthused by this , that when he began his last course, he decided to deliver it live in front of an online audience!
Doug realized what lots of teachers discover - people are more successful in groups. It doesn't matter if it's an asynchronous or synchronous courses, adding in a group of learners can help to make the content stick.
4. Do not fight against an algorithm
Aliza Licht was an former SVP of communications at Donna Karan. When she launched her Twitter account DKNY PR Girl, she began offering career tips for younger people. This would lead to a best-selling book: Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Make it happen in your career. Rock Social Media, AND Podcast LEAVE YOUR MARK Newly-written Career Advice.
The year 2021 was when Aliza was inspired to establish an organization that would help young people be successful in their career. The result was The Leave Your Mark community, which was free to join but required an application. Then, Aliza would add more alternatives for members that were paid, such as mentorship and bootcamps.
One of the greatest features of this community, according to Aliza it is that it doesn't require you to battle an algorithm.
Organic social is basically dead. The ability to curate a room or a group or community whereby you can have a 100% participation in the event that you wish to get 100 percent of the voice is a luxury.
When you post in an online forum and your followers see it, they will see the post. It's not necessary to pray to the algorithm gods or beg your acquaintances to "like" the post so that it can gain traction.
5. Realize it
Elizabeth DiAlto was always interested in defining womanhood in her own way. Seven years ago, she came up with an idea she termed Wild Soul Movement - an way to embody and get women to let go of their head. She tried lots of different ways to get people into this practice but what clicked was launching an online community called The Institute for EMBODIED Living.
The Institute offers two mini-courses about self-love and wild soul archetypes, regular Zoom calls, content archived from past workshop and webinars. This community serves as an illustration of the space to be the authentic human being that is available in online communities. You'd never believe how vulnerable and open you're able to be in a community of people who you've never met in real life which is a powerful thing.
They are learning how to fill up spaces, and how to avoid taking up space. What to say, which words to avoid. How to hold their own stuff, and not put their belongings on others constantly. If we can do this inside, then it could be carried out into their own lives, dispersing it out. My bigger goal is Healing and freedom for all.
6. Professional courses that are fun
In the previous post, we discussed teaching as well as the benefits of teaching online through communities. Another place we're seeing the same thing is in professional education classes, and there's no better illustration than the course of Lisa League designed to assist interior designers who want to ace the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Her course, QPractice, connects interior designers and assists them in preparing for the exam.
Lisa's group is distinct in comparison to other. Though some communities can endure for years, this type of community learning is aimed at a specific period of time to assist designers in reaching the next stage of their career. Instead of studying on their own or attempting to locate resources, Lisa has brought the tools and information together - and she teaches it with engaging cohort courses that make learning much easier to access.
7. The process of creating a profitable business
One of our favorite things about communities is that they are effective businesses. By leveraging a subscription-based membership model, you have the opportunity to earn recurring income that's periodic monthly or annually recurring membership payments. All this means that you could start a profitable company by simply being you engaging in a conversation about something you care about!
8. The process of learning to use a device
In the year Lee and Sarah Rubenstein launched an Instagram business selling a subscription box that included art tools and art supplies, the business began to take off. But even as their subscribers began to increase, they thought: How can we get these people to join together?
The solution came through the form of an online community known as ArtSnacks Mix, which they thought of as the "cool arts and crafts room at High School." The site is a space for artists to gather and share what they're working on. It's a community that makes fun of an ArtSnacks Box that people buy on Instagram and connect it to the shared experience of learning and fun. That's amazing!
9. Networking
Lee Robertson was the former chief executive officer of a London-based wealth management firm The firm was founded by Lee Robertson, who recognized the need for networking opportunities in the financial sector. But the UK was also implementing new rules that limited what financial professionals were able to do.
Robertson sought ways to provide networking opportunities for individuals in finance - all while following the new regulations. His solution was the creation of an online community known as Octo Members, a networking community with audio and video content, as well as articles as well as workshops and daily checks-ins.
10. Care access
Dr. Ashley Southard and Dr. Julie T. Anne were operating A New Beginning, a treatment facility for people suffering from eating disorders that was located in Arizona. However, their clinic had specific limitations on the people it could assist, both as a result of the practical caps on programs and also because not everyone could afford it.
After they established the community The Healthy Weight Out Circle of HOPE It allowed them to bring their knowledge to people who may never get the opportunity to gain access.
11. Cool live events
We talked about Anne Cocquyt's story in the intro. One of the most powerful aspects about The GUILD community was the fact that it took something that people loved (live occasions) and made it totally accessible.
If you have an event platform that is integrated into your existing online community, it is possible to collect RSVPs, notify your guests that you are hosting an event, and charge for admission. And you get all the excitement of a live event, but all the accessibility of an online one.
12. Making money from a following on social media
Martinus Evans has created a movement through Instagram. With his handle @300poundsandrunning, he has a following of almost 60,000 people. What's his motivation? Martinus saw that there were SO MANY running groups out there, but so many were dedicated to those similar to him, people who he refers to as "back of the group" runners.
Then he turned Mighty and started a group dedicated to beginner runners which is called the Slow AF Run Club. The club made him $140,000 his very first year! Martinus' vulnerability in sharing his experience struck a chord and his network is filled with individuals who may not be the most skilled runners, yet they're doing it anyway.
Martinus' story illustrates the importance of sharing your story when you share it with an online audience. However, it also shows how an online community is a fantastic way to monetize the popularity of social media!
13. Get customer feedback
Not the last, but definitely not the least, an online forum is also a great way to get customer feedback. Women's clothing company, Oiselle, learned this. They created the online community Oiselle Volee, as an opportunity for women to come together and get running tips.
And they unlocked something amazing. The pandemic hit, and immediately they realized that their members were not just there for tips on running. They were meeting acquaintances, receiving support and encouragement, and basically getting to know the people they were missing in lockdown.
The community of Oiselle Volee can be a perfect example of a community for brands that is at its finest. It doesn't only focus on selling, they provide a space for their customers to thrive and grow. And as a side-benefit from all this magic, Oiselle has a dedicated audience of over 3500 loyal customers that will provide them with instant feedback about new products and ideas for the next ones!
Conclusion
Okay, there are really so many more benefits to an online community that go beyond those 13 benefits. In fact, if you've never been in one and you're not part of it, then you're not getting the full benefit. The connections, friendships, the magic in finding someone JUST like you, and that magic in being connected to someone that is NOTHING exactly like yours. All of it is there. It's all amazing.
In essence, the issue to be asked would be... Why do you have to be waiting for? Join the existing community. But you can also start your own! We've developed a fantastic cultural software platform which lets you connect communities, content, courses as well as commerce. With Mighty's flexible Spaces that allow you to add live streaming, courses as well as discussions, events messaging and chat, member profiles, polls and Q&As plus other features! Come get started for free for 14 days and discover the kind of community you can create!