10 Emerging Types of Online Communities
When it comes to online communities, I tend to geek out. Having been in this space for over a decade, I’m always thrilled when I see new ideas for how we can connect and learn together virtually. Which is why I’m excited to share 10 types of online communities you may want to consider.
As a business owner, bringing people together around your brand is exciting and profitable. Knowing just the right type of community to build can make the journey even more rewarding.
Online communities usually revolve around bringing people together based on shared interests, causes, or goals. In these virtual spaces, members connect, collaborate, and freely share their knowledge. What separates one from the other lies in the community's primary focus.
The wide array of online communities available can be attributed to the diverse range of interests, professions, and habits of people across the globe. Each community is tailor-made to meet the specific needs of its members, resulting in an impressive variety.
Distinctions among these community types can include factors like:
Structure
Goals and Objectives
Core Values
Approaches Taken
Moderation and Management
Keep in mind that a single community can often fall into multiple categories. The classification of online communities isn't rigid, and the lines between them are often blurred.
01 BRAND COMMUNITIES
Brand communities are among the most familiar types of online communities. They are primarily dedicated to nurturing an emotional bond between community members and a particular brand.
This type of online community aspires to unite individuals into a tribe, forming a shared identity rooted in their love for the brand.
Within the community, members can engage not only with their beloved brand but also with fellow brand enthusiasts.
The primary purpose of these communities is to cultivate brand loyalty by gathering the most passionate customers under one virtual roof.
It's all about building connections and celebrating the brand we adore.
02 LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Learning communities are designed to bring together learners and students into one collaborative space.
Online learning communities come in all shapes and sizes, but they all are digital spaces where people gather to learn and share knowledge.
Some common characteristics include:
Learning communities are all about boosting your knowledge on a specific topic, so they have a shared goal.
They're mainly focused on answering questions & making progress.
In these communities, you can team up with others to tackle learning materials, share resources, and chat about problems and challenges.
03 SOCIAL COMMUNITIES
Social communities are exactly as the label says – communities based on building social connections.
Social communities bring people together to engage in conversations, share experiences and simply have a good time.
Brands can tap into these social spaces to boost their marketing game, especially when it comes to spreading the word about their brand.
Unlike some other online communities, these places aren't meant for bombarding folks with endless ads and promotions. Social communities are more about exchanging ideas and forming connections rather than pushing a hard sell.
04 NETWORKING COMMUNITIES
These are all about connecting and building your network. Unlike many other online communities, their primary focus is on assisting users in expanding their connections and opportunities.
These online communities typically revolve around specific industries or professions.
Here's what sets these online communities apart:
Often thrive on discussions where users seek advice and support.
Members in these communities have the chance to discover solutions to common challenges and issues.
In comparison to other online community types, networking communities tend to maintain a more formal atmosphere, distinguishing them from fan communities or brand communities.
05 MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITIES
Membership communities are set up to provide their members with exclusive resources, information, and support.
Among the various types of online communities, membership communities are typically more selective. They typically require users to register on a specific website and pay a membership fee to gain entry into the community. In return, members receive access to specific content and valuable resources.
Here's what you need to know about these online communities:
Membership communities often operate on an invitation-only basis. Once you've enrolled in a membership, you're granted entry into the group.
These communities are frequently offered as part of a premium package by brands, offering paying members exclusive access.
Because members are paying for access to this type of community, they may have higher expectations than members of other online communities. Individuals anticipate a certain level of service.
06 LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Local communities stand out because they're firmly anchored in a physical space or a specific geographical location. This distinction leads to a generally smaller size and more focused nature than other online communities.
Local communities can encompass a range of entities, from groups that recommend great eateries or activities in a city to community gatherings tied to specific places like a high school or a national park.
Here's what you should know about these online communities:
Local communities are inherently limited in size because they cater exclusively to folks within a defined geographical area.
These online communities predominantly revolve around discussions concerning the local region, including topics like local news and recommendations.
Similar to many online communities, local communities may be vulnerable to an influx of commercial posts. To prevent this, having community guidelines in place and dedicated moderators is often essential.
Local communities are particularly relevant for brands with a local customer base or physical storefronts. However, they can also exist as sub-groups within a brand community or a learning community, offering like-minded members the chance to connect and interact.
07 COMMUNITIES OF ACTION
Communities of action bring together individuals with a shared desire to make a difference in their world.
These online communities are known for their common objectives and tangible steps taken to advance a cause. They often concentrate on achieving specific milestones, and their members unite to support these endeavors as a cohesive community.
Here's what's good to know about these online communities:
Although communities of action can vary widely, they generally share a commitment to creating positive change in the world.
Activities within these communities involve organizing events, identifying volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and engaging in discussions.
Communities of action typically comprise volunteers, community leaders, NGO staff, and concerned citizens.
08 ADVISORY COMMUNITIES
Advisory communities are explicitly designed for marketing purposes – they serve as a method for brands to gather data from customers.
Advisory communities are created to develop, test, and enhance various marketing strategies. Typically, members are recruited from a brand's existing customer base, ensuring they have a good understanding of the products or services.
Here's what's good to know about these online communities:
Advisory communities frequently adhere to a well-structured research plan, including specific topics, questions, and tasks set by the community moderator.
Unlike some other online communities, advisory communities can have varying lifespans—ranging from just a few weeks to several years, depending on the research team's requirements.
Due to the nature of advisory communities, they always remain private, and the information shared among community members is often treated as confidential, especially for larger brands.
09 FAN COMMUNITIES
Fan communities bring people together over a shared interest, such as a movie, celebrity, band, or book.
Although some types of online communities are closed and private, most fan communities are open to everyone who loves that thing. If you’re a fan, you can join a fan community.
Certain artists and creators have started leveraging fan communities as a means to generate revenue by employing platforms like Patreon to expand their business and personal brand.
Here's what's good to know about these online communities:
Fan communities are usually initiated by enthusiasts or creators to support a community around a common passion.
Interactions within this online community largely revolve around the central focus of the fan community.
Fan communities frequently encompass distinct forms of user-generated content, such as fan fiction, artwork, videos, and other creative expressions that aren't commonly found in other types of online communities.
10 GROUP COACHING COMMUNITIES
In this type of community, one specific person usually guides a group of people on a learning path.
In this kind of community, the focus is on encouraging mutual support and empowerment among its members. To ensure the success of such a community, the coach plays a vital role in facilitating discussions and motivating members to take the lead and embrace community leadership.
Above all, accountability is the linchpin of a group coaching model. Individuals typically join a group coaching community in pursuit of accountability for their success. They value the collective journey and the accountability that comes with it. However, since people have varying learning styles, some members might face challenges in a group learning setting or may feel neglected without one-on-one attention. Hence, coaches must deliver valuable educational experiences while also nurturing group networking and connections.
Whether you're a brand looking to expand your online presence or an individual seeking to connect with like-minded people, there's a community out there for you.
This look at types of online communities has merely scratched the surface of this vibrant virtual landscape. If you're eager to see whether this business model would work for you, or have any general questions, we'd love to hear from you!
Please don't hesitate to reach out and join the conversation.
