Growth Secrets to Cultivating Long-Term Loyalty in Online Communities

[Shawn Gossman]

Loyalty in online communities is important because it will advance your forum from a small community to a larger community used by people who want to be around each other.

Loyalty is how you make a forum become an active community. Community is different than a forum. A forum is a platform, while community is people who resonate with one another and have relationships.

How are you all building loyalty in your online communities?

 

[InMyOpinion]

I'll be honest with you, in the past I've struggled with getting loyal members to be active on the forum but I also realize now that there could have been things that I could have implemented that would have made a good difference .

I agree that having loyal members is important because they are the ones that are going to help shape the forum/community and they will also be the ones staying active.

There are a lot of loyalty building things you can do such as events, contests, recognitions etc. to help encourage and motivate members.

I haven't owned my own forum in almost a decade so I must say I've learned a lot about forums and management in that time. I feel like if I were to re-open a community/forum I would have a better run at it this time, though I'll be honest I don't have the time to run a successful forum at this time.

Loved your question! Think it's a fantastic thing to think about.

 

[Nomad]

I have been using Bizdustry since 2021, do you know why? Well, I was a normal users who earned through paid posting, then I was invited to join the forum staff. I created more than 48 thousand posts on Bizdustry. I am loyal to Bizdustry because I have benefited a lot by using the forum. For someone to become loyal, the forum also need to offer something of value.

 

[Cedric]

I have been using Bizdustry since 2021, do you know why? Well, I was a normal users who earned through paid posting, then I was invited to join the forum staff. I created more than 48 thousand posts on Bizdustry. I am loyal to Bizdustry because I have benefited a lot by using the forum. For someone to become loyal, the forum also need to offer something of value.

Didn't Bizdustry turn in something else now? It's very weird what happened, so I'm wondering if there's still anything of value?

 

[Cloaked]

I have made many friends throughout the years of building forums. Most of them, with the exception of those that passed away, remain friend to this day. Without forums I doubt I would have met many of them. It absolutely is loyal people that a forum a community.

 

[Nomad]

Didn't Bizdustry turn in something else now? It's very weird what happened, so I'm wondering if there's still anything of value?

I have not communicated with the owner after he was injured. But he plans to convert it into EV and crypto discussion site. That's what he told me. He sold all content to Admin Junkies except crypto currency section.

 

[Cory]

I think the way I personally build loyalty is by always being there in times of need when it comes to coding support or requests for the platform I use. People often look up to me in times of need for their community when it comes to coding because I've been doing it for so long, I have built up a reputation as a known coder on the current platform I support and past platforms, and I'm always trying to think of new ideas for codes I can add to the resources database on my board. Supporting others and being there for them in times of need can help build loyalty.

 

[Reverie]

I think it starts with you as the owner, leader, common person. You must start the fire and have the passion for the niche. Having clear expectations, goals, being open can assist in creating an environment that feels more like a community. Staying consistent will build loyalty. Pulling people in and communicating with them, truly hearing them, will foster loyalty.

I typically would try and communicate with everyone, but really I would also try to foster friendships with new and different people. A hello can go a long way, and make some feel truly a part of the bigger picture.

I know as a member I'm more loyal when I feel like I matter to a few people. Everyone is different though and as an owner you must "read the room" get to know everyone for who they are.