I’ve been writing about community the last few weeks and wanted to share a few of my quick thoughts on how to build a community. In case you were interested. Though none of these are earth shattering. And they took me all of about 5 minutes to write down. So. There you go 🙂
How to build a community:
- Don’t wait for someone else to do it!
- Think about the things you like, and invite others to join you
- Stop lurking online and leave some comments!
- Have some goals you want to accomplish this year? Ask some friends to join you & keep you accountable!
- Join when other people invite you to do something, and then return the favor
- Go to a blogging conference
- Start a Bible study with your coworkers
- Meet up with friends who are also moms for some non-kid coffee time
- Train for a 5k with someone
- Participate in blog link-ups
- Attend Twitter parties (you’ll make friends!)
- Actually call/write/follow up/pray for the person you said you’d do those things for
- Have a girls night in with fuzzy socks, chocolate & lots of laughter
- Host a Google+ Hangout with some of your online friends!
- Host a playdate
- Join an online book club/Bible study
- Share resources – if you know of a great book/website/store that has JUST what someone needs, tell them about it! Especially if whatever it is happens to be on sale. Like shoes. Ahem.
- Send a real, snail mail card to someone “just because” and ask them to pass do it, too
- Start a mug/bracelet/fuzzy sock exchange
- Meet up with local bloggers and go apple & pumpkin picking – and blog about it (obviously!)
- Be a light for Jesus and let Him guide you to the right community
What are some other ideas you have to build a community, either online or in real life?
Mindy you are just leaving me so much comment love today! What a blessing 🙂 That first one is my constant reminder to stop having a pity party and just plan something!
{Melinda} Wonderful, inspiring suggestions! I’m with Mindy, I like #1, too. Because we can have all these great ideas, but unless we actually ACT on them, they’ll never happen! 🙂
Crystal I have to say your very first one is my favorite! DON’T wait for someone else to do it! (Frankly this is the best answer for a LOT of things.) People who want to feel included need to make an effort at it. Just like anything in life, it’s not always going to fall out of the sky and plop in your lap!
Oh…and of course attending blogging conference is a great idea, too! (SUPER excited!) 😀
Emily, thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to visiting your blog 🙂
The idea of community has been on the forefront of my mind lately. My husband and I just moved from SoCal to Idaho and I was nervous about building new community in a new place. Not only has God rocked my world with how faithfully He provides when we ask, but He also showed me how uncomplicated community can be. I think I had attached this intricate stigma to building community when all it takes is reaching out. The simple things like grabbing coffee, receiving a sweet note, or going on a walk have made me feel the most “in community.” I totally agree with your first point – don’t wait for others to reach out to you. If you want community, start putting yourself out there! I recently posted on my blog about this same thing: http://primitiveroads.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/the-new-community/
You’ll have to let me know what you come up with 🙂
These are great tips! I was just thinking today that I needed to be more proactive and stop waiting around for someone to invite me to something!!
Thanks Becky! I love this: “community needs to be unselfish” – so so so true. I admit that I often have the “what’s in it for me” mentality when it comes to community, and I know I miss out on great opportunities! A perfect reminder for me today, thank you!
I find that I am really good at community- when others communicate in the same ways that I do! But I am learning to stretch out of my comfort zone and try to communicate in ways that are not so comfortable for me. Like talking on the phone. Or dropping off a care package for a friend who is struggling. I am learning that building community needs to be unselfish. We need to genuinely care about others even when it means stepping out of our own comfort zones.
Great ideas here, Crystal!