All right, Tomiwa, here are some thoughts about community building. It's crucial to understand the type of community you're building. I often say that the community itself is rarely the main draw for people. Although it's always pleasant when the vibe is good and you genuinely enjoy the people in the community, the community is usually serving a purpose. If you don't have a clear purpose, it can become challenging to create a community. People have limited time to attend events or check on platforms like Discord if the purpose isn't clear and compelling compared to their other engagements.
Understanding your audience is another crucial point. I assume you're trying to serve a specific audience or mobilize a certain type of individual. It's important to understand their preferences in terms of tools, whether they prefer in-person or online interactions, and even their preferred method of online communication. Some people prefer Discord, some like Telegram, others opt for emails or Facebook groups. You must understand your target audience; otherwise, your engagement will suffer if you introduce tools they aren't accustomed to using.
It's also vital to document everything about the community and its current status. When dealing with distributed communities, people often make assumptions, sometimes unfavorable ones, especially about the community leader. So it's best to communicate transparently about everything that's happening.
Moreover, don't rush to decentralize. While communities need to be led, this leadership evolves over time. Initially, the leader should experiment with processes that can be managed by different individuals or automated systems. It doesn't happen overnight; you'll need to iteratively figure out how to decentralize over time. Too rapid decentralization can result in chaos and power struggles. Initially, you need to exercise control to get things done. Remember, decentralization isn't always beneficial. If a less decentralized organizational structure is accomplishing its purpose and members are satisfied, then there's nothing wrong with it.
You should also have a definition of success. This definition may vary, and it doesn't mean all communities need to follow the same guidelines. You just need to be on the same page with the members of your community and your team so they find value in the community building. Historically, community builders have been undervalued, so it's essential to ratify success metrics and get everyone on board. This approach ensures that the community recognizes and values the efforts leading to the achievement of these success metrics.
A few additional pieces of advice include having fun. Community building should be enjoyable despite the hard work and long hours. If it's not fun, something is amiss.
Next, identify the tasks you keep repeating. There's likely a tool available that can help automate these routine tasks, whether it's sending out emails, engaging with people, or facilitating personalized communications.
Furthermore, make use of technology. There are tools to match people one-on-one without you having to do it manually. AI and other technologies can be incredibly helpful in this regard.
Lastly, it's beneficial to learn from others but remember to do things your way. You're going to make mistakes, and that's okay. No one expects you to be perfect right off the bat. The important thing is to learn, adapt, and integrate these lessons into your strategies moving forward.