How to Create Value-Driven Community Experiences

“Community for sale!”… just doesn’t work. After nearly 7 years of Kindred, and countless coffees with fellow community-makers, I’ve discovered one unbreakable rule: A community isn’t something you launch. It’s something sown, grown and earned. Here are some traps I’ve fallen into in the past in trying to build a community focused organisation, plus some suggestions of what’s ended up working better. 1. Treating community like a product on a shelf: The myth: “Pay your fee, unlock belonging.” The reality: True community is reciprocal. Members give as much as they take: time, ideas, and simply showing up… and repeat. If the relationship stops at the checkout, it stays transactional. Try this instead: Build moments that invite participation (buddy programmes, user-led workshops, welcome rituals). ____ 2. “Build it and they will come.” A beautiful space or slick platform is just the outline - the first 10%. The filling inside, the remaining 90% is purposeful programming: regular meet-ups, shared projects, inside jokes that glue people together. Try this: Design a dependable programme, building ritual where possible (daily coffee, weekly huddles, monthly socials, annual retreats). Consistency converts light touch dabbling into long term commitment. ____ 3. No shared values means no gravitational pull. Open doors feel welcoming, but undefined doors feel confusing. Humans gather around clear signals: values, mission, vibe. Without them you’re just hosting a networking event. Try this: Articulate three core values and wear them visibly; in tone, events, even décor … so kindred spirits recognise home when they see it. ____ 4. Projecting your version of community on everyone else. For some, belonging is chanting in the stadium; for others, litter-picking along the Thames. One size never fits all. Try this: Ask before you assume. Poll members, run feedback sessions, experiment with multiple formats - online and offline - to find what’s resonating. 5. Forgetting to ask for help. Strong communities run on contribution, not perfection. When leaders do everything, members do… well, nothing. Try this: Create low-barrier roles: community buddies to welcome new members, dog-walk leaders, playlist curators, cupcake bringers. Contribution builds ownership and pride. 6. Treating community as a one-hit wonder. An inaugural event is a spark, not a campfire. Without oxygen: repetition, reliability, ritual… that flame dies fast. Try this: Turn good moments into traditions. Same time, same place, predictable rhythm. Ritual turns strangers into insiders. The takeaway: Stop selling “community memberships” like gym passes. Start designing ecosystems where people can show up, chip in and grow together over time. When you focus on contribution, consistency and clear values, that’s when real community has a chance to thrive. #Community #Connection Kindred London

Big brands have a lot to learn about building community from this small East London shop. If you follow me you know I’m obsessed with pinpointing the places, moments and margins where culture appears, often outside the mainstream. Waste! is an independent store in Hackney specialising in handmade, self-published and DIY artist products that also serves as a meetup for makers and fans of the niche and novel. Big brands can spend millions chasing community. Yet genuine bonds form in the unlikeliest corners. By giving people a place to belong and a stake in the story, you can create evangelists rather than consumers. Here’s some of the playbook: → Look beyond the obvious Which subculture have you never visited? Find the one that aligns with your brand values and surprise them with an IRL activation made just for them. → Host micro-experiences Think smaller than a giant pop-up. Small scale means deeper conversations, stronger friendships and stories that spread far beyond the room. → Invite people behind the scenes Jack and Roydon modelled the shop on their childhood bedrooms. Everything feels handpicked and personal. → Celebrate genuine connections At Waste! customers aren’t just buying things. They swap ideas, share projects and spark new collaborations. Create spaces online or offline where people can connect, chill and feel like insiders. → Reinvest in your community Every penny from sales goes back into buying more stock from friends and local artists. That reinvestment shows you care about real people not just profit margins. → Turn every interaction into a collectible moment Limited-edition patches, secret passwords, custom playlists or tiny zines tie physical mementos to emotional experiences. Superfans will wear, share and trade these badges of honour. → Measure passion not just reach Track repeat attendees, social shout-outs from community insiders and user-generated content. A hundred truly engaged superfans create more long-term value than ten thousand casual followers. Sometimes the best way to build real community is the scrappy, DIY, heartfelt route ✌️💚

Very often, people dream of being part of a community or building a community to help each other and get help from each other. In my experience, great communities are built on these core principles. Most people join a community only expecting something from others not giving. Giving, being transparent and focusing on others interest is the beginning of a great community behavior. Below are five points I consider as important for a start 1. Setting Expectations: The Clarity Protocol Define, don't assume: Clearly articulate shared goals and boundaries upfront to eliminate the ambiguity where mistrust breeds. Transparency is safety: openly communicate limitations and roadmaps; members trust leaders who are honest about what they cannot do as much as what they can. 2. Giving and Taking: The Law of Reciprocity Contribute before consuming: Establish a culture where members offer value—knowledge, support, or resources—before asking for favors. Balance the ledger: specific, public appreciation for contributors creates a cycle of generosity that prevents the community from feeling transactional. 3. Commitments: The Reliability Standard Under-promise and over-deliver: Treat every casual agreement as a binding contract; consistency in small matters proves you can handle big crises. Own the failure: If a commitment is missed, immediate accountability rebuilds trust faster than a valid excuse ever could. 4. Community Over Self: The Stewardship Mindset Serve the mission, not the ego: Decisions must be visibly aligned with the collective good, even when it inconveniences individual leaders or influential members. Sacrifice signals sincerity: When leadership takes a hit to protect the group, it creates an unshakeable bond of loyalty among members. 5. Acting First: The Initiative Catalyst Model the behavior you seek: Do not wait for permission or consensus to do the right thing; be the first to be vulnerable, the first to help, and the first to listen. Courage is contagious: When you act without guaranteeing a return, you signal that the environment is safe, encouraging others to lower their defenses and participate.

Since 2017, I have been part of different communities and also managing my own. In Lebanon, I co-led a community of developers and tech professionals that started as a Meta-affiliated group, grew to more than 7000 members, and later continued under the name TechCircle. Across this journey, we organized more than 56 activities — from the first Facebook Tech Week in Lebanon to TechCrunch MENA, international hackathons, masterclasses, panels, and tech talks. I am often approached by people who want to start their own communities, seeking advice from almost a decade of experience in the space. Here are my two cents: 🔹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆. Communities thrive when there are no hidden agendas. If you genuinely care, the process becomes rewarding in itself and members feel that authenticity. 🔹𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. I co-led this community with Salah Awad, my husband, and we treated it as an equal partnership. We split responsibilities based on our strengths and complemented one another’s skills, which allowed us to sustain the effort over years. Beyond the practical side, it also helped challenge stereotypes around women in tech. Having a visible woman leader, supported by her partner, created space for more women to join. By 2019, 37% of our members were women. 🔹𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁. Leaders need credibility to set rules, foster respectful communication, and build meaningful partnerships. Members should see you as mentors, at least in some areas, to trust the direction you set. 🔹𝗕𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲. For a community to stay alive, every member should feel valued and part of the journey. This went beyond participation — we aimed for inclusivity when shaping the roadmap of activities themselves. By listening to different needs and making sure the activities reflected the diversity of the community, members could engage in ways that mattered to them and feel that their contribution truly counted. 🔹𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Some of the most powerful outcomes came from simple networking. Many members found opportunities, collaborations, and lasting connections by meeting peers who shared their interests. Community leadership is demanding, but when guided by care, inclusiveness, and credibility, it becomes one of the most rewarding ways to create real impact. #community #impact #tech #technology

As founders, we're bombarded with advice: "Know your customer!" "Listen to your audience!" But amidst the buzzwords, a crucial question lingers: how do we truly understand what matters to our customers, beyond the surface-level preferences and fleeting opinions? My journey as a founder has been a constant dance between chasing "customer feedback" and uncovering the deeper desires fueling that feedback. I've learned that listening isn't enough; we need to actively decode and prioritize what truly resonates with our users. Enter the Customer Value Compass: Step 1: Chart the Terrain: 1. Gather diverse data: Collect feedback through surveys, interviews, user observations, social media sentiment analysis, and support tickets. 2. Identify recurring themes: Analyze the data for common threads, challenges, and desires expressed by your customers. Don't get bogged down in individual details; look for patterns. 3. Categorize by impact: Segment your identified themes into two categories: "surface-level preferences" and "core value drivers." Surface-level preferences: These are fleeting opinions, often influenced by trends or personal experiences. They can provide valuable insights for specific features or campaigns, but shouldn't define your core offering. Core value drivers: These are deeply held needs, desires, and motivations that underpin customer behavior. These are the true north stars you need to align with. Step 2: Calibrate the Compass: 1. Dig deeper into core value drivers: Conduct in-depth interviews, focus groups, or user testing to truly understand the "why" behind these themes. 2. Prioritize based on impact: Not all core value drivers hold equal weight. Assess their prevalence, intensity, and alignment with your business goals to determine which ones deserve the most attention. 3. Validate with data: Look for quantitative evidence to support your qualitative findings. Analyze usage data, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction metrics to ensure your understanding aligns with actual behavior. Step 3: Navigate with Confidence: 1. Align your product and strategy: Use your Customer Value Compass to inform product development, marketing messages, and customer support initiatives. 2. Communicate with clarity: When making changes or introducing new features, explain how they address the core value drivers you've identified. 3. Continuously iterate: The Customer Value Compass is a living document. Gather new data, conduct regular reviews, and be prepared to adjust your understanding as your customer base and market evolve. Remember, the Customer Value Compass is not a destination, but a journey. By prioritizing what truly matters to your users, you build a foundation for sustainable growth, loyalty, and success. So, silence the buzzwords, listen deeply, and let your customers guide your voyage. #FoundersJourney #CustomerInsights #DecodingValue #ValueCompass #CustomerCentricity #BuildingForUsers

If you are a brand or creator planning to grow your own community, save this post for your next brand strategy session – Follower counts are overrated. What truly matters for your brand is a community that talks back. In the last 5+ years of building my personal brand along with Like Mind Tribe, I’ve learned this the hard (and beautiful) way. We often chase vanity metrics, namely likes, views, followers. But the brands that actually grow focus on: + trust + conversations + creating spaces that people want to return to My top 3 learnings about community building that most people ignore are👇 1/ Stop broadcasting. Start involving. Don’t just talk to your audience, co-create with them. Ask for their input. Let them choose the next product, workshop, or event theme. Your content should feel like a conversation, not a monologue. 2/ Trust builds in silence. Show up even when it’s quiet. The real connection begins when no one’s clapping. Be consistent with your presence. Show your progress, not just your polished wins. 3/ Give them a space beyond social media. DMs, Zoom rooms, meetups, or even a close friend's story list; These micro-interactions are where loyalty is built. If you want retention, give them a room where they feel seen. ———— I’ve met: → strangers who are now collaborators → community members who became accountability partners → even businesses that were born from casual coffee chats at our meetups That’s what happens when you value: Impact >>>>> Followers Whether you're building a brand or just starting out as a creator – Don’t just aim for attention. Create belonging. What’s the biggest challenge you face in building your community? Let’s tackle it together! #drishtiispeaks #community #branding #strategy #growth #socialmedia #content

Community builders: Starting with an events calendar is tempting. I know it. Resist it! 🙅♀️ Here's a five-step approach I offer as an alternative. This is one of the most common pitfalls I see my clients fall into. It often sounds like: "I am creating a content and events calendar and don't know how to." "I am thinking of asking them what topics they want to see in events." "I am sharing stuff regularly, but I rarely see a reaction from them... What am I doing wrong?" After building three communities from scratch and consulting with clients across different organisations and community stages, this is a simplified five-step framework for building communities that create value. 👇 🌟 Naturally, we start with value. —Why do we gather? —What's the change we're looking to make in our/the world? —What challenges/ pains do we have? —What matters most now? 🎯 Then, we narrow it down: —What's realistic with the resources we have? —What will bring the most value, with the lowest effort? —Is it a recurring thing? Or a one-time project? —How do we craft a clear call to action? 💪 Next, we enter the (co)creation phase: —How do we converge as a group, and what do we need to be at our best? —How do we identify the steps needed to deliver on our goal? —What artifacts can we create as we learn and make progress? —How do we move from "doing and executing" to "optimising our ways of working"? 🎁 Once the cycle closes and we create the desired value, it's time for our reward: —How do we reward the contributors? —How do we spotlight their efforts and success? —How do we amplify the value we created for more impact? 💬 Lastly, let's make it crystal clear that each member can contribute to the value-creation activities, and even propose ideas of their own. —Do people feel like they have permission to contribute? —Do people know all the possible ways they can contribute? —Do you make it easy for them to "get ideas" and take initiative? Each step has lots of tiny pieces to unpack, and pitfalls to avoid. 🔥 To all the community builders out there: What's the hardest bit when it comes to community engagement? 👀 ______ 🌱 And if you are looking for a small group of community builders and a little guidance as well, my upcoming "Building Community from Within NOcourse" might be interesting to check out: https://lnkd.in/e6fuGw6F Only 10 spots are available. Applications for this cohort close at the end of the month.

Just came back from #ZohoDay24, and wow, am I bursting with insights and inspirations to share! This year's event was a masterclass in not just technology, but in building businesses that genuinely make a difference in the world. Here's what I took away, and how you can apply these lessons to your own ventures: 1. Focus on Community: The heart of any business isn't its products or services, but the people it serves. Nurture your community by actively listening and responding to their needs. This isn't just good business; it's how you make an impact. 2. Build Up Your Community Members: Empower them. Whether it's through educational content, resources, or support, make sure every interaction adds value and lifts them up. Their success is your success. 3. Make Technology Organic and Invisible:The best tech solutions are those that users don't even notice because they blend seamlessly into their lives. Strive to make your offerings so intuitive that they become second nature to your users. 4. Play the Long Game: Instant gratification isn't the goal. Sustainable growth, enduring relationships, and long-term visions are. Invest in the future, even if it means taking the slower, harder road now. It pays off. 5. Make Your Customers the Star of the Show: Everything you do should highlight the achievements and stories of your customers. Celebrate their wins, showcase their journeys, and let their experiences inspire others. 6. Embrace Your Values: Your business should be a reflection of what you believe in. Don't be afraid to take stands, make bold choices, and operate in a way that aligns with your core principles. Authenticity resonates. 7. Make Your Guests Feel at Home: Whether it's your website, your office, or your social media channels, create welcoming spaces that make people feel valued and understood. Hospitality isn't just for hotels; it's for businesses too. By weaving these principles into the fabric of your business, you'll not only create a brand that stands out but also one that stands for something greater. Let's take these lessons from #ZohoDay24 and use them to build businesses that don't just aim for success but for significance. Here's to making a difference, one step at a time. #BusinessGrowth #CommunityBuilding #TechForGood #SustainableBusiness Sandra Lo Ariel Rhodes Aarthi Elizabeth Mira Natarajan Nanya Srivastava Vijay Sundaram Akshaya Sona Sri