Building communities is the most efficient way of attracting, engaging and keeping people around.
The world keeps changing fast. You can connect with the entire world in real-time, from anywhere. Only in the past two years, we surpassed 90% of the data ever generated. Mobile and connected, everyone has the power to attract attention online. Content is disposable. Platforms are evolving. The only constant are the things we deeply care about. In volatile times, building true relationships is the best way to stand out. Authenticity attracts people who share your values and are more likely to engage and stay connected - for consistent reasons.
People want more than a product. They want identity, connections, belonging.
Hacking Communities is a methodology consisting of experience-based frameworks to help companies or individuals in growing or building grassroots communities around a brand, idea, or place.
What communities will you build?
We Only Need a Reason to Get Together
The principles and frameworks for community building are the same across different centers of gravity (reasons why we gather), but we’ve identified three types of centers that can help define your goals and first steps.
Place (Location, public or private)
Most known as place making, build a community around a physical space. You want to increase foot traffic, but also to make it a destination where people go to hang out, meet others, become regulars or live there.
Stuff (Products and Services)
Bring people around something you offer, but of course, make it more than just a product or service: feeling connected and belonging to a larger community around its brand.
Idea (Cause, Lifestyle, Team)
Either it is a book club, a founders group, motivating a team or gathering volunteers to raise funds, these are what most of us call communities. Yet, many times it’s just a group of people. Learn the difference.