Breaking down Community Building
CORE PURPOSE:
What is the fundamental reason for its existence?
To create a space where members with shared interests can access information, engage,
and have a sense of belonging.
FIRST PRINCIPLES:
What are the basic truths or elements that cannot be reduced further?
Communities have two key groups: a highly engaged core that drives most activity and a
larger group of transactional users who engage for practical purposes(Mighty
Networks)(Higher Logic).
SUPPORTING STRUCTURES:
How can you build logically from these first principles?
For core members, promote deep engagement through recognition and leadership roles as
well as benefits they can achieve and enjoy with other members.
For peripheral members, ensure a great user experience, ease of access to information and
resources.
EVIDENCE & SUPPORT:
What proof or justification strengthens your argument or solution?
Research shows 4% of members in a community create most of the value, while others engage
passively(Higher Logic)(Mighty Networks). Balancing both drives long-term success.
ENGAGEMENT/USABILITY:
How can you optimize the solution for its audience or purpose?
Offer core members recognition, exclusive content, incentives for peer engagement (e.g.,
badges, member spotlights) and make things fun. Meanwhile, make information easily
accessible for peripheral members who engage less but still derive value from the community
(HubSpot Blog)(Higher Logic).
REFINEMENT/ITERATION:
How can you refine and continuously improve the solution?
Regularly gather feedback, recognize core contributions, and improve usability for passive
users(Higher Logic)(HubSpot Blog).
Breaking Down Community Building
CORE PURPOSE
● What is the fundamental reason for its existence?
To create a space where members with shared interests can access information,
engage, and have a sense of belonging. The community should foster a nurturing
environment that promotes deeper engagement, moving peripheral members into the
core group through tailored initiatives.
FIRST PRINCIPLES
● What are the basic truths or elements that cannot be reduced further?
Communities have two key groups: a highly engaged core that drives most activity and
a larger group of transactional users who engage for practical purposes. Define how
peripheral members can progress to become core contributors by addressing their
motivations and potential journeys.
SUPPORTING STRUCTURES
● How can you build logically from these first principles?
For core members, promote deep engagement through recognition and leadership roles
as well as benefits they can achieve and enjoy with other members. For peripheral
members, ensure a great user experience, ease of access to information and resources.
Introduce personalized recognition and content tailored to member interests, maintain
fresh content, and ensure inclusivity so all members feel valued.
EVIDENCE & SUPPORT
● What proof or justification strengthens your argument or solution?
Research shows 4% of members in a community create most of the value, while others
engage passively. Balancing both drives long-term success. Incorporate quantifiable
metrics to evaluate progress, such as engagement rates, member retention, and
transitions from peripheral to core groups.
ENGAGEMENT/USABILITY
● How can you optimize the solution for its audience or purpose?
Offer core members recognition, exclusive content, incentives for peer engagement
(e.g., badges, member spotlights), and make things fun. Ensure information is easily
accessible for peripheral members. Emphasize intrinsic motivators alongside extrinsic
rewards, leverage member stories to showcase growth, and ensure accessibility for all
members.
REFINEMENT/ITERATION
● How can you refine and continuously improve the solution?
Regularly gather feedback, recognize core contributions, and improve usability for
passive users. Encourage community-led initiatives and ensure engagement practices
are scalable to accommodate growth.
