This episode of the StartWell Podcast explores the multifaceted nature of community building in business as we sit down virtually with Joshua Zerkel; a community-led growth and engagement leader who has done amazing work for technology companies operating at massive scale; including Asana and Evernote.
Expect to hear Josh and StartWell founder/CEO Qasim Virjee share their personal journeys which led to work building communities, perspectives on the recent rise of online communities as marketing tools, differentiation between persona-based and company-based communities and a whole lot more.
We highlight the necessity of creating value for community members and the implications of community dynamics in the future of work. We consider the importance of community in professional development - especially as the modern workplace evolves so fluidly. The conversation also delves into mentorship plus how to leverage 'content' for community engagement, integrating community into the customer journey, and the necessity of adapting marketing strategies to foster community building. We end with some recommended tools for developing communities online.
Some simple insights from the conversation include:
- Community building requires a focus on value exchange.
- Leaders must prioritize giving before taking from the community.
- The evolution of community engagement has shifted from support deflection to deeper connections.
- Community can serve as a competitive advantage for businesses.
- There is a distinction between persona-based and company-based communities.
- Community can be a marketing channel for businesses.
- Asking community members what they want is essential for engagement.
- Community adds value to products and services, differentiating them from competitors.
