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.