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:
What’s 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 momentum—resulting 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 don’t have a plan or aren’t sure what tactics will work. - Unclear Value Proposition
Members don’t immediately see why they should engage or what’s 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
