nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

📋 Engagement Strategies for Member Stages

Posting in a community of any kind can be intimidating. Picture walking into a party, and in order to engage with someone, you have to grab the mic and say something. Most people are going to walk out or just float around the room without really talking to anyone. Not a great feeling.

That same feeling can exist in your community space…there is a barrier to posting, and it resides within your audience members themselves. Imposter syndrome, anyone??

In order to move your members from an observer role into a contributor role, you are going to have to help them.

Here are some suggestions that can be incorporated along the community journey to lower the barriers and help your audience engage more effectively!

Level 1 - Newly Registered

Welcome message with quick-start links
Trigger a campaign idea: Kick of an onboarding series (in a 3rd party email platform for now!) - “Here’s your first mission: like a post that speaks to you”
Show a “New here?” widget with top intro threads
Include them in a weekly “new members to watch” digest internally to assign greeters or moderators

Level 2 - Checking Things Out

Feature low-pressure activities (polls, this-or-that, AMAs)
Use tooltips or guided tours to explain features like bookmarks or saved posts
Ask: “What brings you here this week” in a discussion space
Share a “Top 5 tips from members like you” roundup

Level 3 - Reacting & Commenting

Customize the ‘First Comment’ badge message to hype up the fact that they engaged for the first time
Invite them to reply to unanswered questions:
“You’ve got great insights — this thread could use your voice!” using tags
Make sure you are using the “Comment” badges to reward ongoing participation
Mention them in recap threads to increase visibility

Level 4 - Starting Conversations

Highlight their posts in newsletters or sidebars
Invite to contribute to a "Member Wisdom" blog or tip thread
Ask: “Would you be open to sharing your story in an event or spotlight?”
Assign a moderator or peer greeter to comment on their next post to reinforce visibility

Level 5 - Championing

Enroll in a Champion/Advocate program with perks (early access, planning calls, spotlights)
Invite to beta test new tools, co-lead sessions, or host groups
Recognize them in quarterly “Community MVPs” recap
Offer leadership opportunities like helping onboard others or mentoring

Level 6 - Super-User

Form a Super-User Advisory Council
Include in roadmap feedback, strategic planning sessions
Feature in thought leadership spaces (panels, LinkedIn takeovers, guest blog series)
Offer annual rewards: certifications, retreats, direct access to execs, or behind-the-scenes privileges

NOTE: Not everyone is going to become a super-user. In fact, the vast majority of your audience will not. But you can help them feel more confident in your community by lowering the engagement barrier.