What is a Customer Community? (+Examples) |

Dec 3, 2023

Relationships with customers that are only one-way are what they were in. The most successful brands of the time don't only speak to their clients, they interact with them and form meaningful connections. That's where the customer communities come into.

In this this post, we'll speak about what it means to be a "customer-centric" society. We'll use the latest research from academia to determine what makes a community that is geared towards customers unique. We'll talk about the benefits of having a community that supports clients and will also present examples of community-based relationships.


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What exactly is a "community?


A community for customers is an area that acts as a central point to establish a relationship between a brand or brand with their clients. It allows for customer inquiries and replies, information exchange along with educational opportunities for consumers and promotions, as well as the ability to provide customer service and feedback. It is constructed using various techniques, like emails, on sites or social media platform, and even a particular online forum.


The key word to remember in this context is RELATED. Customer services that are based on the concept of community aren't just used as places for companies to remove advertisements. In the words of an old saying, customers want to conduct transactions with the people who they "know they like and can be confident in," which is what community members of customers do best. It gives them the chance for trust to increase.


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Customers' community can be studied theoretically by looking at the concept of " Social Identity Theory :" when people belong to any kind of group-which include great customer groups-they get a sense of belonging and the sense of self-worth, motivation, and of belonging.


Below are some amazing instances of communities working, whether free, enterprise customer communities or even communities with paid brands are able to do...


   

  • A non-profit has taken on the 9,000 National members.
  • A faith-based community expanded to 470 individuals spread across 67 countries.
  • An entrepreneurship org. is now available to 55,000 members. They returned the amount they put in using a mobile app which connects users for two half weeks.
  • Health-focused, health-focused launches for 100 top-tier customers increased the ARR by $40,000.
  • It was run by a community group for 13 weeks. The course added $100k to the income within just two months.
  • A personal finance group produced $130K over the course of five days applying their latest instruction.
  • One social-impact SAAS company integrated a community-based user app with regular meeting times and saw a 70% rise in engagement and contributions.


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What can a community of customers do not do


Knowing the idea behind creating communities can assist us in understanding why people aren't on the email address the Facebook page has. In order to benefit from the advantages of community, it's essential to be able to include at the very least those who feel they are part of the same group.


To help you think about this, here are a few of the characteristics of a community crucial to their users. Does not include:


   

  • An email list
  • How many followers on social media you have
  • The members of your Facebook group. Facebook group
  • The amount of likes of your blog post
  • All calls are routed to the customer service phone
  • Chatbots are users of chatbots.


Our research has revealed that the foundation of customer relationships based on community is the feeling of belonging. It's not difficult to understand the reason why they aren't customer-centric communities. These interactions are involving your business, but they don't give the impression of being part of a community.


The closest thing we could get to this might be the concept of a Facebook group In the group we can see an absence of connection with brands, and an absence of a sense of belonging. Facebook isn't the best choice for Facebook in terms of instant connection or user-led interaction that can build a loyal following.


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This is the reason why you should establish an online community that can serve your customers


     The advantages of having a community for customers    


Growth led by Access members


The new business model that have a high impact that is based on membership-based communities. Communities are in fact the most profitable form of business that McKinsey is claiming to be the most efficient approach for companies in 2020. This is an illustration of a community flywheel.


We've observed the development of companies that are run by their employees, which includes community of customers. In the event that they're purchased, they may provide incredible opportunities to earn recurring income. The community, however, relies on the growth of its members on autopilot.


The term "community" has been used to describe it as "a place where people can come is "a business that is growing on its own" because of the combination of content created by members and the energy generated by members as well as AI-powered tools to help simplify the management of your community means it's now easier than ever before to establish relations with individuals that drive your business.


This is the reason why big names including Logo, Apple, and Nike are all leveraging to make enormous profits. (See these examples. )


Never think of funnels. There is no way to match the power of a loyal user base to improve the image of a brand in autopilot.


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Improve the reputation of the brand and build its trust


A study conducted in 2022 found that strong communities of brands can affect the brands' loyalty. The community can become an integral element in the character of a person. In reality, the connection between social identity and loyalty to brands is an intention-driven process that can influence perception of value and customer's happiness with the brand.


This process of changing members, customers, or followers to members isn't something you should take on faith. In contrast to other interactions that members are a component of.


Spending less and belonging is the primary goal of establishing a community flywheel.


how to build a community flywheel


CLV expected to rise


We understand that customer lifetime value (CLV) is driven by retention. However, only a handful of companies consistently achieve this. According to a study conducted by SurveySparrow, SurveySparrow observed that the most successful brands had an average of 94% retention rate, even though retention was at or below four percent in certain industries.


While brand loyalty isn't something that is worth its weight in but it can direct to an increase in longevity value. This is a fact. retention, and returning to customers through the process of converting customers into members can increase your CLV more than anything else.


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Selling is easy.


A key finding during the study of community flywheels research on flywheels in communities demonstrated that selling becomes radically easier when it is part of a larger group.


The standard sale funnel is intended to direct each lead that you receive through sales, only to let them go until you have reached the tiny percentage that you can purchase.


If you're in a customer-centric community it's not a reason to do this. Most of the members who are the "leads" are always welcoming and, in the event that they choose to leave your community, they'll stay with you regardless of whether or not they're prepared or not.


This is a great environment for sales, where you don't need to rely upon deadlines and pressure. Just continue to cultivate the relationship and show your amazing results whenever you are trying to sell something. Certain communities we have inform us of individuals who ask members to purchase items to purchase.


Then we come to...


Find the top feedback


Customer feedback is crucial. But, the HubSpot research team found that 42% of businesses aren't asking their customers for the time to solicit feedback!


Did you know there is an easier way to collect feedback, rather than writing questionnaires and then just waiting for the answers?


Join the customer community. In our conversation with the women's clothing company Oiselle Volee about their community of customers we heard something amazing. The Oiselle customers' group provided members an opportunity to meet with. In addition, it offered a vital feedback loop that can be utilized to enhance the design of any new product. The possibility of getting instant feedback regarding product ideas and the design of products that were completely new. Sometime, they'd even have clients requesting items they'd never ever thought about.


Oiselle


Automate customer service


We've selected Apple as an excellent customer-centric business model for the next. Apple uses their customer community to provide support to customers and also to gamify their entire process so only the most loyal Apple users are able to join the community. They can also help answer your questions at no cost!


This is a fantastic method for using branding loyalty, leveraging the sense of belonging that customers have to the brand to create an effective product and makes customer service come to reality.


Instead of dialing a 1-800 number, or waiting for chatbots, users have the option of having their concerns addressed in the forums. That's powerful.


Transforms are possible


The majority of people purchase or hire services based on the need for to purchase something. In most cases the reason is related to a particular issue, perhaps you're looking to get rid of clutter in up your home (i.e. oven cleaner) as an example, or shedding 10lbs (ie. operating equipment) or perhaps to build the perfect garden (i.e. an gardening magazine), or to spend time in the backyard on weekends with the family (i.e. barbecue ).


If someone is able to buy a tent, it isn't a guarantee that they'll utilize it. In this area, a well-established customer community is found. If you are able to surpass revenue, and help your customers in achieving success through your product or service, you'll have a plethora of raving customers who will spread the word to their acquaintances about your company. Customer communities aren't just designed to boost the revenue. They are designed to help your customers to succeed.


There's more! A vibrant customer-based community can offer useful feedback on your products and services and may require to be purchased.


With this in mind along with other benefits, it is clear that creating a community of customers can be a huge advantage. Are you still waiting to do?


     Learn how to utilize it to create a vibrant customer base here!


Harness real engagement


If your notion of interaction with customers is the posts that you share on social media will have fifteen people who are interested in them, then you're using the wrong approach. Customers' communities can create authentic customer engagement as well as relationships with customers. The goal is to make clients become an integral part of the group.


It's stunning when you step away the content of social media platforms and instead create genuine engagement that people enjoy.


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8 amazing examples of customer communities.


1. Topstitch Makers


There are a myriad of amazing instances of communities catering to their users here . Take a look at Leigh Metcalf, who built a Mighty Network (AKA a "sewcial network") within her business of sewing and fabrics: Topstitch Studio and Lounge. Through Topstitch's Mighty Network, Topstitch Makers provides a platform to gain information and provide regular sewalongs, to assist participants in getting to the successful business they envision.


4 Topstitch


2. Duolingo


Duolingo app makes learning a language simple fast, easy, and inexpensive (freemium)! On the other hand, Duolingo has a dedicated team of volunteers who dedicate themselves to helping their users with their queries about their language, and also to making the application more efficient.


The platform was created upon the idea that everyone should have access to languages Polyglots who are zealous in bringing additional languages and programs onto the platform!


Start an e-learning business


3. Oiselle


Oiselle is a clothing for runners company which aims to go above and beyond the sale of their products to help clients connect with and learn from others around the world. Oiselle has developed a Mighty Network, Oiselle Volee was founded on a love of exercise. It started out as a place that you could connect with a fellow runner and was later extended by the outbreak which has expanded to encompass everything that the Oiselle community is able to do. There are over 4000 people who can access an area to meet in person, and vibrant virtual gatherings.


Oiselle Volee Profile


4. Lego


Lego is a multibillion-dollar brand beloved by kids for its amazing building potential and is frequently viewed by parents as little mines which can cause injury when you step over the floor.


Just kidding!


It's true that Lego is beloved across the globe by children and adults alike. An army of passionate builders are sharing their thoughts about the Lego customers. Members are able to choose the Lego models will be given the stamp of approval that proves them to be authentic Lego kits!


5. Peloton


Peloton gained popularity during the time of epidemics when people were striving to be fit in the confines of their home. Peloton established a strong group of users who exercise. Members can exchange scores, communicate through video during sessions, as well as encourage other participants on Peloton's Facebook page. Peloton Page on Facebook.


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6. Adobe


Adobe products focus on producing images, videos music, as well as other forms of media. They're standards in the industry. But, ask anyone who has ever had the pleasure of using one of the Adobe software and they'll be aware that they're not easy to grasp.


The Adobe customer community provides customers with the ability to submit questions and receive replies as well as offer their suggestions for getting best value from Adobe's software. The motto of the Adobe company "Come for assistance and be encouraged" basically sums up their philosophy, which begins by helping customers to learn about the applications they use, as well as taking the user along a path toward mastering their skills.


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7. Apple


Apple has built a lively community of users, and it also serves as a customer support platform. Apple has also created a game that is playable, so that users earn more points and also get more opportunities for community moderating up to the highest levels they advance to. Players who reach the top level also get access to a private community.


If you're contemplating it, gaming the customer support so that the customers be willing to assist the other with help is quite a brilliant approach to establish an online community of users.


8. Shopify


If you're looking to be part of a fantastic customer-centric community check out Shopify. As Shopify helps their customers build websites to sell their products. The Shopify community is dedicated to training, and gaining knowledge through answering commonly -asked questions, as being able to host live gatherings.


Do you have the skills to establish your personal customer base?





No matter what the community you create for your customers is going to be an organization that is non-profit or a community-based model as well as an e-mail subscriber for extra revenue. Join us to build your community by using Mighty!


Mighty connects classes along with information as well as communities and business. Flexible Spaces allow you to build an experience that is unmatched by others, by blending conversations with livestreaming, chat, live events with chat classes and even on the internet (if you'd prefer). It is possible to select the features you would like (and make sure that the rest remain not affected). ).


Mighty gives you a suite of member-management tools to make it easy to run the community, and our AI community-engine-Mighty Co-Host(tm)-automates things like member profiles, landing pages, course outlines, and even discussion questions. It's much simpler to create an active community of customers with the smallest amount of time each week.


There's also Mighty Pro You get G2's most popular community software in the basis of your own name-brand application. The app you create can be found on the App Store, in addition to the Google Play Store. Google Play Store. Additionally, if you build using Mighty Pro, you'll work with our team of Account Executives as well as Community Strategists, who have assisted in helping build seven-figure brands for entrepreneurs and businesses that use subscriptions for eight figures.


Call us right now to show you the possibilities we have to build.

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