On, 2025-05-20T17:00:00Z we explored why people join and stay in communities!
Watch the Replay
Key Takeaways
What is participation, anyway?
Key Motivators for Community Participation
- Getting help or solving a problem/practical need.
- Connecting with like-minded people.
- Building credibility or reputation.
- Giving back after receiving value.
- Staying informed or accessing exclusive content.
Questions Answered in the Webinar
We had over 100 people answer this registration question:
Whatâs the biggest challenge you face in getting people to engage in your community?
Here are the top themes we saw across all questions, and members of the Product team and I go in-depth addressing these in the presentation!
- Getting People to Post First
Many users visit and read but hesitate to make the first move or start a conversation. - Low Participation After Launch
Communities are started but fail to gain momentumâresulting in very few posts or ongoing activity. - Time Constraints
Both community managers and members feel too busy to engage consistently. - Lack of Icebreakers or Starting Points
Uncertainty around how to kick off conversations or guide first interactions. - Large Member Base, But Low Engagement
Even in communities with thousands of members, participation remains minimal. - Overreliance on the Admin/Manager
Engagement only happens when the community leader actively posts multiple times per day. - Fear of Posting or Shyness
Members may be hesitant to share due to social anxiety, fear of judgment, or unfamiliarity. - Lack of Strategy or Know-How
Some respondents admitted they donât have a plan or arenât sure what tactics will work. - Unclear Value Proposition
Members donât immediately see why they should engage or whatâs in it for them. - Competing Platforms
Some users prefer familiar platforms (e.g., Facebook), making it harder to transition them to a new space.
Mentioned Discourse Tools & Resources
- https://discover.discourse.com/
- Discourse Yearly Review
- Post notices for first-time and returning users