Online Communities



Online communities give you a 24/7 focus group. You can get answers to questions in a more timely manner because of online communities. An online community can be from far and wide and they can answer without setting up an in-person meeting or jumping on a call. 

Online communities have a few different characteristics. Some of the ones we use to identify online communities include:

• Has a business plan
• Designed to support 1-2 business needs
• Executive sponsor and dedicated staff
• Defined success measures
• Typically takes place on an owned platform
  

Online Community Value

Your online community can be one of the most influential aspects of proving the ROI of community. These members spread across your social platforms, chatrooms, and virtual events.

Other impacts of online communities on business include:

• Product development
• Extending value of in-person and/or live events
• Adding depth to content
• Showcasing contributors
• Encouraging members to participate



Tracking when a member starts following one platform and then gradually follows the rest shows the impact your community has on an individual. Being able to draw someone into your community just based on your online presence speaks volumes about your company and the organization's influence.

Curated discussion around your product/service can be brought up in online communities. This helps companies and organizations identify customer pain points and hot topics. Sometimes you might not know where your community is struggling, and online communities encourage members to voice concerns and suggestions. 

With a major shift to online and hybrid events, collecting data on events can also be a way to prove the ROI of community. Implementing systems that track the number of RSVPs, attendees, and chats sent during the event can be tangible numbers that prove engagement for your company or organization.