Introduction to Community Management
Are you interested in pursuing a career in community management? If so, you’ll want to take notes from Erika, Community Manager at TIALS.World, a community-driven fashion hub in Web3 that aims to establish sustainable fashion as the new standard through education and co-creation. In this interview, she shares some valuable tips that aspiring community managers won’t want to miss.
What inspired you to pursue a career in community management, and what are some of the key skills and qualities that someone in this role should possess?
“The inspiration of my career and passion for community management grew when I, together with my team, were building our green logistics company, where I handle sales and marketing as well as community building, bringing entrepreneur partners together to support sustainable practices and make a difference through their businesses partnered with the services that we provide. My passion and interest kept growing from there, and I found a way to bring them into the space. What I love about community management is the ability to create a vibe that gathers the tribe, and building meaningful relationships and connections that empowers one another.
In terms of qualities that are needed for community management, I think that communication, and adaptability are essential. A community manager needs to be able to effectively deliver their message to their audiences, and to listen actively to the needs and concerns of their constantly evolving community. As a community manager, we should be able to pivot quickly to meet new challenges while creating a safe space where people feel welcome, valued, and supported.”
What is your approach to building and engaging with a community, and what strategies have you found to be most effective in doing so?
“I love working with our team in creating fun activities and events that everyone can enjoy and participate in. Through that, we’re able to bring the members together, while creating a sense of belonging and community.
It is also important to us that we show gratitude for the time and effort that members put into participating by rewarding their involvement and making them feel valued.
In addition to creating fun activities and showing appreciation, I’ve also found that creating opportunities for collaboration and interaction is important to community building. That’s why we often host workshops, spaces or other events that encourage people to connect and share knowledge to help community members learn, grow and build meaningful relationships with one another.
We are naturally interdependent, and when we come together and share our knowledge and ideas with each other, we can achieve so much more than we could on our own.”
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in community management, and what resources or tools would you recommend they use to get started?
“My advice would be to always listen to your community, and the best resource you can have is the guidance and input of your members aligned with your project’s / organization’s values. It’s important to value the opinions, ideas, and contributions of members as they are the backbone of a healthy and vibrant environment.
By actively communicating and engaging with them and responding to their feedback, you can build trust and a sense of camaraderie while offering them opportunities to get involved and contribute to the project’s/organization’s growth and success.
Also, seek out advice from experienced community managers or online forums. Learning from others can be incredibly valuable and can help you develop the skills and strategies needed to build an engaged community.”
Concluding Insights
While building and engaging a community can be challenging, it’s definitely achievable with the right combination of passion, effective communication, and adaptability. By integrating Erika’s valuable insights into your community management approach, you can set yourself on the path to becoming a successful Community Manager.
Invitation for Experienced Community Managers
Are you an experienced Community Manager? We want to hear from you! We are always looking for professionals who can share their insights with our audience. If interested in sharing your expertise and being featured in an upcoming newsletter and blog, DM us on Twitter or email us 💜