Creating a Welcoming Community Environment

Eleanor Whitney

Community Marketing Manager, Dev Bootcamp NYC

@killerfemme

#cmxsummit

Hi. I’m Eleanor.

Former museum educator.Current community manager.

A good museum visit demonstrates how to onboard community members.

@killerfemme

Everything I know about community management I learned working at a museum.

@killerfemme

This is the Brooklyn Museum where I worked for 5 years.

@killerfemme

This is Dev Bootcamp where I am a Community Marketing Manager (and it’s Halloween).

@killerfemme

Museums are vibrant learning communitiesAt the Brooklyn Museum we:

• Served diverse audience members

• Taught 400 + students on weekdays

• Engaged 200 + families on weekends

• Attracted over 10,000 visitors monthly for free First Saturdays

@killerfemme

Museums are spaces that foster vibrant, diverse learning communities.

@killerfemme

Effective design is welcoming. It makes your visitors feel comfortable.

Museums:

• Wayfinding signs

• Take care of needs

• Accessible

• Logical layout

Communities:

• Clear navigation

• Prominent calls to action

• Logical next steps

@killerfemme

How do you make new and returning community members feel welcome?

@killerfemme

Clear guidelines set visitors up for success

Museums:

• Rules

• What you can do?

Communities:

• Code of conduct

• Rules for interaction

@killerfemme

How do communicate your community guidelines?

@killerfemme

Model behavior and participation

Museums

• Guides

• Self-guided learning

• Online info and apps

Communities

• Community managers

• Highlight model behavior

• Reward leading community members

@killerfemme

How do you model behavior in your community?

@killerfemme

Clear paths of entry and levels of engagement

Museums

• Casual visitor

• Tour, class, or event

• Membership

• Extended courses

• Online community

Communities

• Customers

• Members that interact

• Community ambassadors

• “Super users”

@killerfemme

How do you inspire community members to engage?

@killerfemme

Vibrant communities:• Clear direction builds comfort

• Guidelines set members up for success

• Demonstrate and highlight “model” participation

• Create awesome content

• Inspire engagement

• Provide multiple entry points for involvement

@killerfemme

Thank you! Eleanor Whitney@killerfemmeeleanor@devbootcamp.com