This blog is part of the Master My Money Series.

Take the Challenge for Financial Empowerment.

A young professional who is a leader in her community on Sute, the best community building platform

Community

  • 5 mins

Empowering Your Community: Inspiring Collaboration and Leadership

Cam Mulvey

March 27, 2023

Communities have emerged as powerful catalysts for achieving remarkable results, leveraging the decentralized flow of information and the collective wisdom of its members. By fostering an environment where everyone can participate, contribute, and share their unique insights, community building platforms become hubs of knowledge that surpass the limitations of individual expertise. This enables better decision-making, as a wealth of information and diverse perspectives guide the path forward.

Community Collaboration

A group of individuals collaborating in person, demonstrative of the power of online community building platforms

Investing Communities  

Let’s illustrate this concept with an example of collaboration within a financial literacy community. In the fast-paced world of investments, where every decision can have a tangible and measurable outcome, investment communities have emerged as powerful platforms for individuals seeking collective wisdom, collaboration, and enhanced decision-making. 

Within this community, the importance of contributing information becomes paramount, as individuals come together to share insights, analyze market trends, and support one another in navigating the complex landscape of investing opportunities and make decisions with their hard-earned money. Perhaps most importantly, members of an investment community can witness the impact of their community quantitatively, and almost immediately. 

In an investment community, the value of contributing information extends beyond personal gains. Members are acutely aware that their investment decisions carry weight and can yield immediate results. By actively participating in discussions, sharing research findings, and providing valuable market perspectives, community members contribute to a collective intelligence that guides the investing community towards sound investment strategies. The immediacy of seeing the results of their decisions creates a dynamic feedback loop, where individuals can learn from both successes and failures, and continually refine their investment approaches. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of accountability, encouraging members to uphold high standards of accuracy, transparency, and integrity in their contributions.

Community Leadership 

An investment community is driven by the recognition that collaboration and shared knowledge lead to better outcomes. Leaders naturally emerge from the community as individuals who consistently provide valuable insights and demonstrate a deep understanding of the investment landscape. In an investing community, leaders will naturally emerge as those who have achieved the best returns. 

These leaders inspire others by setting high standards of expertise, integrity, and transparency. They offer guidance, mentorship, and support to fellow members, helping them navigate market volatility, evaluate investment options, and maximize their financial potential.

Through this collaborative and leadership-driven environment, the investment community empowers individuals to make informed decisions, achieve better financial results, and foster personal growth.

Online Communities 

The example of an investment community is particularly effective because it provides a tangible way for individuals to see the results of their investment decisions. In the world of investing, where financial outcomes are immediate and impactful, having a community of like-minded individuals to share insights, discuss strategies, and analyze market trends is invaluable. 

It comes as no surprise that a significant number of Gen Z and Millennial investors, approximately 56%, are active members of investment communities or forums. Additionally, a study by Motley Fool revealed that 91% of Gen Z respondents rely on social media as their primary source of information for investing, highlighting the growing importance of online communities in shaping investment decisions. These statistics underscore the desire for community-driven information sharing and the recognition that engagement within these communities leads to better-informed investment choices and, ultimately, more favorable financial outcomes.

While the example of an investment community demonstrates the power of collaborative knowledge-sharing and its direct impact on financial outcomes, it is essential to recognize that these implications extend far beyond the realm of investing. The underlying principles of community engagement, active participation, and collective wisdom can be applied to any type of community, irrespective of its focus or purpose, even when the results aren’t as black and white (or red and green). Whether it's a community centered around a shared interest, a professional network, or a social support group, the value of multidirectional information flow, collaboration, and leadership holds immense potential for fostering growth, decision-making, and collective success.

Even though community building platforms have traditionally held a smaller, niche role in the broader social media landscape, there has been a notable shift in recent years. A significant 77% of Millennial and Gen Z users are "very familiar" with online community building platforms. This growing awareness and familiarity demonstrate a clear recognition of the value that communities offer in fostering meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and collective engagement. It firmly supports the belief that community is indeed the future of social interaction in the digital age.

A community leader hosting a video chat with her community on Sute, the best community building platform

Build your community 

All the impressive statistics and outcomes we have explored are undeniably remarkable, yet they are inherently reliant on the foundation of an effectively built community. Without a well-structured and nurtured community, these results would hold little meaning. Once the community is set up, it’s essential to drive ongoing engagement. 

To discover our best insights on building an online community, download our Creator Success Guide now. 

Here’s a snippet from our free guide to driving success as a creator 

Strategies to drive community engagement 

  • Nail the basics: Have a strong moderator. Bring in guests. Reply as much as you can. If you were a community member, what would you want to see?
  • Have a schedule: Predictability will help your community members know what to expect from your community.
  • Make it easy: Ask specific questions with an easy answer, like their favorite book or what city they’re in. Intentionally misspelling words has also been a quick trick to drive replies.
  • Use themes: Themes give community members something to look forward to, especially if the theme is recurring, like “Make Money Monday”. 

Building a community goes beyond simply attracting a large number of members; it involves creating an inclusive and engaging environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and connected. It requires intentional efforts to foster a sense of belonging, encourage active participation, and facilitate meaningful interactions. Effective community building involves establishing clear goals, defining shared values, and implementing strategies that promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support. 

At Sute, we work closely with our creator partners to ensure their communities are set up for long-term success. By investing in community building, we lay the groundwork for the remarkable outcomes we've discussed, empowering collaboration and leadership. 

If you’re a content creator looking for a free online community building platform, we’d love to see if Sute is the right fit for your entrepreneurship, career development, or financial literacy community. We’re currently taking applications from the best creators in these fields, so apply today to launch your community with Sute