Community Lifecycle Marketing

Member-led growth is an approach to creating a community that a brand starts and maintains to grow its reach, revenue, and customer loyalty.

A critical piece of being successful with this strategy is mapping the community's lifecycle. Here's an example.

1. Awareness:

• Goal: Attract potential members and introduce them to your community.
• Tactics:
  • Content marketing (blog posts, social media, etc.) that highlights the community's value.
  • Online advertising targeting your ideal audience.
  • Partnerships with relevant communities and influencers.
  • Engaging in relevant online discussions and forums.

2. Acquisition:

• • Make it easy to join the community (simple registration process).
  • Offer welcome gifts or incentives for new members.
  • Showcase the benefits of joining (exclusive content, networking opportunities, etc.).
  • Highlight positive member testimonials.

3. Engagement:

• • Facilitate discussions and encourage interaction through forums, Q&As, polls, and challenges.
  • Host online and offline events (webinars, meetups, workshops).
  • Create valuable content that addresses members' needs and interests.
  • Recognize and reward active members.

4. Retention:

• • Build a sense of belonging and ownership among members.
  • Provide ongoing support and resources.
  • Offer exclusive benefits and opportunities to loyal members.
  • Continuously gather feedback and improve the community experience.

5. Advocacy:

• • Empower members to share their experiences and create content.
  • Run referral programs and incentivize advocacy.
  • Feature member stories and testimonials.
  • Offer leadership roles and opportunities for members to contribute.

Without this, your community will end up suffering the same fate as far too many.