What can you do to transition your online community over to an alternative platform
Are you considering changing your community platform However, you're not sure of how you should do? Three suggestions to shift the online presence of your community onto a different platform.
You've put in a lot of effort to establish an online community. Now it's beginning to pay dividends.
One problem is that most community-based platforms didn't have a design specifically designed for artists.
The task of running a community can be difficult enough by itself. Add to that the need for mixing of several tools, such as Facebook Groups and Patreon, and you've got yourself a recipe for a stress-inducing experience.
But the thought of shifting to a different platform is one that might require additional time-consuming. You are now the one to ask, "Is it worth it?"
With that inner turmoil in the back of our minds, we've developed this article to help you move your online community to the latest technology. Three methods will be explored to make the transition as easy as it can be and how to gain buy-in from the members of your community and ensure they stay on board after the change.
Why creators are switching community platforms
A community offers creators the opportunity to connect with people they wish to connect with.
When we talk to creators, a common theme is that they'd like to had control over their own communities, not being required to keep groups in an different space apart from other.
The research found that 86 percent of the creators would like to change to a community-based platform.
"The whole Facebook application is massive and it's a complete-time work," one creator expressed. "Keeping up to date with all news and communicating with any person if something is wrong is near impossible."
Creators struggle with their community platforms because no platform provides the variety of features or interaction required by creators. Creators usually build community of content on social media sites since there's no better option.
The most popular Facebook Groups make it easy to sign up, but they do not offer freedom and control, but this is also where the advantages stop. Different platforms offer superior service to customers and also features for branding and interaction, but they are more challenging for users to sign up on.
Additionally, Facebook has seen a noticeable decline in active users. In addition, the Facebook U.S. user base has decreased in 15 million from 2017 primarily due to concerns about protection of privacy and their personal data.
If they are using Facebook Groups, Slack, or something else entirely 65 percent of the people we are surveyed say that these platforms were designed to assist creators.
"I need to hire an assistant full-time to allow members in, welcome members, moderate them, etc. We're using Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software that costs $30/month and we're also slaves to Facebook's algorithm, as well as distracting factors. This mess has been so badly messed up.
And then, there's Patreon that creates more administrative work than the amount I earn ($5/month per individual, less taxes and fees). I'd like to have the option of owning it and could assist students to enroll in my classes and programs, and engage with them by myself or in groups."
"We are having a difficult finding members who engage with a platform like Facebook where the vast majority of users are aware of the site," stated one creator.
The other person who shared the same concerns was: "My main concern with migrating my community off of Facebook is the fact that they may not be able to adapt to this new approach. I work with women over 45, and Facebook is the place that people feel comfortable and at ease."
We get it. We've put together three tips to ensure that your community move is the smoothest possible, starting with getting initial buy-in to keeping people active throughout the process.
The first step is to choose the best platform.
3 methods to make the transition to a completely new platform for community development
1. Choose a platform that meets your needs
It was found that users value these three aspects the most when choosing an online community platform.
Platform links that lead to the remaining of my work (31.42%)
It's easy for users to sign in (23.57%)
The features were created to let users to communicate with one another (21.87 percent)
These solutions, however, are patchwork and leave open a gap between communities as well as the goal the community is built upon. Your community is thework.
That's why we created Community.
It's true that I'm biased to this advice. However, the community feature was developed with the the creators' needs and requirements in mind.
It makes it simple for users to reach out to their audiences as well as your mission. Members of the community can:
Purchase your products
Utilize your content to consume it
Post and take part in discussions
...all all in one place. Because they're already logged in to shop for your items or access your content you won't have to develop the habit of signing in to a standalone platform or making use of (not-so-)trusty old Facebook. It's better for both you as well asyour clients.
Additionally, you can make a range of content and subjects to encourage community involvement. Users can also keep track of threads, make comments on conversations, or create their own blog posts.
Since your community was established by your website and you are the owner of the members' information.
If you have a account the feature is available on all plans. If not, don't sweat it -- just enroll to get a 14-day free trial to try Community along with additional tools we offer developers.
It's a good thing that there is finally an online community platform that can meet the demands of other members as well as their requirements. All you need is for them to join is to convince them to switch over.
Find out more about the procedure.
2. Communicate early and often
It is impossible to build solid communities online without getting the buy-in from your users. When it comes to creating communities, your members are your primary stakeholder.
In order to build a lasting relationship, it is essential to keep in touch.
As you prepare to migrate your community from one platform to the next, be transparent with all your users about the details. Why are you moving to a new platform? How will this change enhance the experience of the members?
A way to ensure you're all on the same platform as other members is to invite a select amount of your active members to sign up to the site initially. Request them to provide opinions about the platform. Then make adjustments to the system prior to making the switch to everyone else.
Customers would like to to voice their opinions to them. 77% of customers have a more positive perception of brands who are willing to accept and value feedback from their consumers.
To make the process as simple as possible for your members ensure that you have everything they need for the transition. Below are some suggestions on how to achieve this:
Discover what your users most concerned about this move. Make an FAQ article and put it in a pin to your current platform.
Participate in an online Q&A within a few minutes after announcing the change.
Create a survey asking members what features they'd like to keep or incorporate into the new platform.
Utilize tools such as Apowersoft's Free Online Screen Recorder to create a brief video that guides members on the registration and log-in procedure. Loom is an alternative.
"Easy to sign-in is crucial because there are so many websites to keep track of nowadays, and with a myriad of passwords," the creator of one told us. "How do people keep it to be clear? In my role as a facilitator for communities, I forget where all my communities, courses and groups that I've purchased are located."
If members have access to the content and services on your site, using it as your community platform will make onboarding an easy task.
All they have do is login to the account they have already created on your website, and voila, they're in.
Another thing to note is that if you're moving from Facebook to a different community-based platform, you shouldn't remove your Facebook group until your new community goes live.
Allow time for those who are stragglers (and Skeptics) to change. In the meantime, you can change your group settings in Facebook to only allow posts from admin members in your group .
In this way, you won't be competing against two other communities for attention.
After the technical details are taken care of, you can engage with the enjoyable aspects of the process- getting your employees enthusiastic about the new system.
3. Create excitement and stimulate engagement
Do not be afraid to experiment with different strategies for convincing your users to switch to new platforms.
In order to encourage the change and keep users interested in the new website, consider the reasons individuals are drawn to online communities in the first initial. For the industry of travel such as travel, brand communities value :
Discounts and offers
Invitations for exclusive events
Exclusive online content
Receive exclusive items
All of these benefits to inspire your members to move across platforms.
Check out Luke Bryan's subscription-only program to join his throng of faithful followers. Users of the app have the right to be a part of contests and backstage livestreams, making the app an excellent choice for those who are new to install the application and to sign up frequently.
You don't have to be famous country music stars to create your own application to bring your customers on a different platform.
The key is to give the perception that you're exclusive. Create exciting new features or produce content exclusively for users that join the brand new platform.
The people loveexclusivity from exclusive livestreams for members and Q&As, to exclusive discount codes.
You could offer members a discount coupon for your digital items or their membership. However you shouldn't offer the discount voucher until the members are able to access your brand-new community website , and then leave an update or comment in the first place.
This is a great method to encourage new and current members to get involved with the other members of your new website.
89 percent of Americans say that an exclusive deal will increase their likelihood of shopping using a brand. 48% say they believe that exclusive deals could prompt them to buy earlier.
A discount is best if you regularly release new products, or have customers who are able to renew their subscriptions month-to-month.
If your students do not possess anything they want to purchase from you, like the majority have bought and finished your flagship course -- a discount isn't an effective incentive.
Instead, offer exclusive content to new members as well as perks only offered at your new location of your community's home.
Creator What Matters a group of creatives that desire to produce relevant content , as well as communicate with one another and so having the opportunity to discuss and read Jay's blog posts is an advantage. Communities allow Jay's users to benefit from membership to the fullest extent possible.
Beyond the forums for members of the community, Jay also offers exclusive advantages of joining: Live events and early access to all the latest technology as well as a personal discussion with Jay himself.
Bottom line:
In order to transition your community's online presence to the new platform, you must to get buy-in from your members. One of the best ways to get the purchase you need is to select one that can make your users experience more enjoyable than the old one, and also ensure it is easy and fun for everyone to make the switch.
Modify community platforms and offer a better service for users
The majority of creators don't believe their platform for community was created with the needs of creators in mind. Additionally to that, 86 percent of creators would like to switch community platforms. If you're one of them, then you're the right spot to make a change.
Moving your community's platform might appear like a daunting process However, it's not. In case you're wondering, here's three ways to make the process as simple as possible for you and the other community members.
Choose a platform that makes your members' experience even better. With its new community features that allows members to purchase items from you, peruse your site's content and even join in discussions in one location, by using one login.
Engage with your customers early and regularly. Get a group of users to utilize the new platform and then use their feedback and suggestions for changes. Make sure your users have all the resources they need to ensure the switch is a success.
Create a platform that is appealing and inviting by providing special promotions along with exclusive content. Give special discounts, exclusive content to users, as well as prizes as a reward for registering on and engaging with the new platform.
If you're looking to expand your community to , we're here to aid you . We're eager to see your community expand and flourish.
Article was first seen on here