Running a community isn't rocket science, but it's also not as easy as just setting up a forum and expecting people to magically show up and become and instant success. If you want to crash and burn, there are some surefire ways to do it. But if you want your community to actually grow and last, here’s what not to do - followed by what you should do instead.
What to do instead: Make it about them. Encourage discussions, listen to feedback, and let the community shape its own culture. You’re there to guide, not dictate.
What to do instead: Be present. Join discussions, ask questions, share insights, and encourage members to contribute. A dead-silent admin is a fast track to a dead community.
What to do instead: Give new members a reason to stay. A simple welcome message, an introduction thread, or even a casual “Hey, glad to have you here!” goes a long way in making people feel like they belong.
What to do instead: Use common sense. Moderate with a light touch - step in when necessary, but don’t micromanage every little thing. People need room to express themselves.
What to do instead: Promote your community. Get the word out through social media, partnerships, or good old-fashioned word of mouth. Keep things fresh with new discussions, events, and engaging content. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. But most importantly, never stop doing this.
1. "It's my community so it's about me!"
Big nope. If you go in with this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for failure. A successful community is about the people who participate in it, not the person who runs it. Sure, you’re the one who built it, but if you treat it like your personal stage rather than a place where members can engage, they’ll lose interest fast.What to do instead: Make it about them. Encourage discussions, listen to feedback, and let the community shape its own culture. You’re there to guide, not dictate.
2. "I don't need to engage with my community."
Wrong. So wrong. You can’t just set things up and then go silent, expecting the community to run itself. If you’re not actively participating, why should anyone else? People take cues from leadership. If you’re engaged, they will be too.What to do instead: Be present. Join discussions, ask questions, share insights, and encourage members to contribute. A dead-silent admin is a fast track to a dead community.
3. "Welcoming new members is pointless."
Ever walked into a party where no one acknowledges you? Feels awkward, right? That’s exactly how it feels for new members when they sign up and get zero welcome. If you don’t make an effort, don’t be surprised when they ghost after day one.What to do instead: Give new members a reason to stay. A simple welcome message, an introduction thread, or even a casual “Hey, glad to have you here!” goes a long way in making people feel like they belong.
4. "Harsh moderation keeps things in line."
Sure, if by "in line" you mean completely empty. Over-moderating kills communities faster than trolls and spam do. If members constantly feel like they’re walking on eggshells, they’ll just find a more relaxed place to hang out.What to do instead: Use common sense. Moderate with a light touch - step in when necessary, but don’t micromanage every little thing. People need room to express themselves.
5. "If I build it, they will come."
Just because you created a community doesn’t mean people will automatically show up and participate. You have to give them a reason to join, and more importantly, a reason to stay.What to do instead: Promote your community. Get the word out through social media, partnerships, or good old-fashioned word of mouth. Keep things fresh with new discussions, events, and engaging content. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. But most importantly, never stop doing this.
