Creating a course is an exciting endeavor, but it's only the first step in providing a fulfilling learning experience for your students. One key element that can take it to the next level is building a sense of community among them.
But what exactly is a community, and how can you create one?
In this blog, we will explore the concept of building a community and provide best practices on how to create one for your online course. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve engagement among your current students, this guide will give you the tools you need to build a thriving community.
Contents
- What is a community?
- Best practices for building an online community
- 1. Define your community purpose and goals
- 2. Create community guidelines and rules
- 3. Select a community-building platform
- 4. Build engagement
- 1. Define your community purpose and goals
- 2. Create community guidelines and rules
- 3. Select a community-building platform
- 4. Build engagement
- Conclusion
What is a community?
An online community is a group of people who share similar interests, opinions, and goals. It's a place where they can come together in a digital space and connect with each other.
As a course creator, you can think of it as a space where your students can connect, learn, and grow together. It can be:
- A private group for your course students to share their progress, ask questions and get feedback.
- An open forum for a larger community of like-minded individuals to share resources and support each other.
The possibilities are endless, and it all depends on your goals and the type of online course you're offering. But one thing's for sure, an online community can be a powerful tool for:
- Fostering engagement
- Building a sense of belonging
- Creating a more fulfilling learning experience for your students.
Best practices for building an online community
1. Define your community purpose and goals
Before creating an online community, it's important to define its purpose and goals. This will give you a clear direction and make it easier to attract the right people.
For example, if your course is about photography, your community's purpose could be to provide a space for photography enthusiasts to share tips, ask questions, and support each other in their journey. Your goal could be to build a supportive community that helps your students improve their photography skills. Consider setting measurable goals, such as increasing engagement or member retention, so that you can track your progress and make improvements.
2. Create community guidelines and rules
Having guidelines and rules in place is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive community. These should outline the expected behavior, communication style, and how to handle violations.
It's also a good idea to remind members of the guidelines and rules regularly. One actionable tip for creating guidelines is to involve your community members in the process. This will ensure that the guidelines align with the needs of the community and also increase buy-in from the members.
Here's what Facebook suggests as standard community rules
3. Select a community-building platform
There are many platforms available for hosting an online community. Some popular options include Facebook Groups, Slack, and Discord. When selecting a community platform, consider factors such as ease of use, security, and integration with your course platform. It's also important to consider the features that the platform offers, such as the ability to create polls, host live events, or integrate with other tools you are using. Take time to research and test different platforms to find the one that best suits your needs and goals.
If you want to create a branded community — with your brand look and feel — choose Miho. It's a platform that helps you create, sell and manage your courses while helping you engage your students.
4. Build engagement
A community is only as strong as its engagement. To build engagement, you can encourage members to share their experiences, ask questions, and contribute to discussions.
You can also create activities and challenges that encourage interaction among members. It's also important to be present and actively participate in the community to keep the conversations going and build relationships.
Also, consider recognizing and rewarding active community members to keep them engaged and motivated.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the importance of community & have tips to create one, it's time to put it into action. One way to do this is by using a platform like Miho, which allows you to create, sell and manage your courses, as well as build an engaged audience by creating communities. With Miho, you can easily create a private group for your course students to share their progress, ask questions, and get feedback, or an open forum for a larger community of like-minded individuals to share resources and support each other.
So, why not give Miho a try with a 14-day free trial and see the difference that a strong community can make in the success of your online course.
