Strategies to Build an Engaged Slack Community: 1:1 Communication vs. Wider Marketing

Hi folks, getting a new Slack community off the ground. I'm wondering if there is an equation (i.e size of community + experience of member) that leads to most engaged group? After speaking with Zach Hawtof, I've identified 20 individuals as potential founding members and am thinking about whether marketing to the wider community or focusing mostly on 1:1 communication and word of mouth will reap the best benefits for the group.

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4 comments

Scott Baldwin
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There's been lots written on the value of smaller higher engaged communities. My fave: https://medium.com/@richardmillington/the-powerful-case-for-brands-to-build-smaller-less-engaged-online-communities-23c659ebb94e For sure working on getting your initial folks working well and leveraging WoM can be a great path. It also gives you time to work out the kinks.
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Josh Steinberg
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Thank you Scott Baldwin - excited to read this!
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Erik Israni
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Hey Josh! I’ve found it’s very much outcome driven. What are you trying to accomplish? Also don’t close off the possibilities of affiliate groups within the broader community. Class cohorts. Geography/ time zone. Profession or status.
Kaela A.
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Josh Steinberg, my personal community philosophy is 1:1 leads to long term growth. By making individuals feel valued, seen, and heard, they are more likely to help others feel valued, seen, and heard. While it is a significant time investment, you’ll never regret building individual relationships with your community members (at least wherever it’s feasible and makes sense to do so). You can plant a garden by throwing out a handful of seeds… But you get a better result by cultivating individual plants.
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