In 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported that 35% In 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported that 35% of organisation-sponsored communities of organisation-sponsored communities failedfailed to get to get

more thanmore than 100 members100 members

Why?Why?

Having a clear audience in mind from the outset helps Having a clear audience in mind from the outset helps an organisation promote the community and an organisation promote the community and

successfully build activity inside the community. You successfully build activity inside the community. You have got to have got to know your audience to growknow your audience to grow..

Unclear AudienceUnclear Audience

Overestimating the interest in a topic or aim will result in Overestimating the interest in a topic or aim will result in a failed community. Once you know your audience, you a failed community. Once you know your audience, you need to need to know and talk about their interestsknow and talk about their interests (not yours). (not yours).

Not InterestedNot Interested

It is tempting to do all the talking. However encouraging It is tempting to do all the talking. However encouraging group members to talk to one another instead creates group members to talk to one another instead creates

lasting relationships lasting relationships and better long term and better long term community growthcommunity growth..

Too Much TalkingToo Much Talking

Having a core membership who believes in the Having a core membership who believes in the community aims at the start is a key to growth and community aims at the start is a key to growth and

activity. Making a change to the original aims and values activity. Making a change to the original aims and values of the community can leave the important of the community can leave the important founder founder

membersmembers feeling feeling betrayedbetrayed and and disillusioneddisillusioned. .

Changing AimsChanging Aims

Have a clear audience in mindHave a clear audience in mind

In Summary:In Summary:

Know their interestsKnow their interests

Let them do the talkingLet them do the talking

Keep your aims and values trueKeep your aims and values true

To find out more enroll To find out more enroll in our course on the in our course on the

Basics of Online Communities (20% off (20% off

in November).in November).

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