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How to Build a Thriving Community Around your Business

David SpinksCEO, CMX Media

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What is a Community?“A social unit (a group of three or more people) who share something in common, such as norms, values, identity, and often a sense of place...”

- Wikipedia

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Your business is a community.

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There are multiple member groups contributing to your mission.

Power UsersCustomers

Employees

Followers

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How can you maximize the value contributed by each level of membership?

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Collaboration: create a system for members to work together

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What collaborative systems can you create?

• Support – experts answer questions for others• Product – experienced users provide ideas and

feedback to improve the product• Acquisition – advocates spread the word about

the product• Content – contributors create the content on

your platform• Engagement – members connect with each

which increases retention

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Collaboration: create a system for members to work together+

Community: fuel engagement and activity in the system

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The 10-Step Process to Launch a Thriving Community

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1. Identity

2. Trust

3. Participation

4. Reward

The CMX Community Engagement Cycle

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Phase 1: Build the Foundation

Phase 2: Move to Scalable Solution

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Phase 1: Build the Foundation

1. Identify your first members

2. Get buy in for community

3. Bring them together (ideally for live event)

4. Ask for feedback and plan next event

5. Repeat, repeat, repeat…

1. Identity

2. Trust

3. Participation

4. Reward

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Phase 2: Move to Scalable Platform6. Identify ideal first

members for new platform

7. Get their buy in8. Invite first members and

fuel participation9. Collect feedback and

plan next steps10.Repeat, repeat, repeat..

1. Identity

2. Trust

3. Participation

4. Reward

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1. Identity

2. Trust

3. Participation

4. Reward

The Community Commitment Curve

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Thank you!David Spinks

David@cmxhub.com@davidspinks