Community Manager Appreciation Day

Being the go-to person for a community — keeping things running smoothly and creating a sense of belonging for everyone involved.

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Recognize and reward the community managers driving engagement and loyalty for your brand—position your tools, services, or recognition programs as essential to their success.

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Spotlight: How Community Managers Build Brand Loyalty (case studies from your clients)
Community Manager Toolkit Giveaway—celebrate CMAD with exclusive resources
Host a virtual or in-person CM meetup to showcase your platform/service
Employee recognition campaign: Thank the CMs on your own team

History

The role of community managers (CMs) is a fairly modern development that has made its appearance since the dawn of the internet.

Online community managers began making their debut in the 1990s when MMORPGs (Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Games) started becoming popular and it was necessary for someone to manage the online groups of people playing the games. Although the term, CM, took a bit longer to be used.

As the job of community manager moved from just video games to all sorts of other communities, and as the interactions online developed rapidly, the roles of community managers continued to grow and evolve.

In addition to taking care of social media, public relations and customer support, online community managers also may perform duties such as managing online bulletin boards, developing creative or collaborative processes, and ensuring that all-important communication between the product developer and the end-users.

Founded by Jeremiah Owyang in 2010, Community Manager Appreciation Day offers an opportunity for those online community managers to step out from behind the curtain and take a well-earned bow for all of their hard work!

How to celebrate

Say Thank You to a Community Manager

The simplest way to begin enjoying Community Manager Appreciation Day is by saying thank you to a community manager who makes an impact on your life or business. This could include making a post on social media to thank them, writing about it in a blog post, or just sending them a little email to say how much what they do is appreciated.

Attend a Community Manager Appreciation Day Event

Just because their work is online doesn’t mean they can never make appearances in public! In fact, many cities, especially those who are deeply targeted toward businesses that are focused on social media, may host events that allow people to meet up with their community managers in person. Boston, San Francisco and Austin are just a few of the many cities that have been known to host events in honor of Community Manager Appreciation Day.

Host a Community Manager Appreciation Day Event

Don’t have an event scheduled in your city yet? That’s okay! Perhaps this is the right time to get started planning on hosting an event in appreciation of these important members of the online community. Whether it’s a city-driven event or a more casual gathering of local community managers, it’s certainly worth the opportunity to foster that connection and simply say thank you.

FAQ

What functions do community managers serve in businesses today?

Community managers play a crucial role in businesses by fostering engagement between the brand and its audience. They manage online content, facilitate discussions, and address customer inquiries, ultimately building trust and loyalty. Their efforts in creating a vibrant community enhance brand image and customer satisfaction.

Why is community management important on digital platforms?

Effective community management is vital for digital platforms as it fosters a positive environment for user interaction and collaboration. This management leads to increased user engagement, positive brand reputation, and facilitates valuable feedback, which is essential for platform growth and user retention.

What are common challenges faced by community managers?

Community managers frequently encounter challenges such as dealing with negative comments and managing crises. They must also de-escalate potential conflicts using empathy and diplomacy. Additionally, staying updated with digital trends and managing diverse user expectations are ongoing demands in this role.

How has the role of community managers transformed over recent years?

Over the years, the role of community managers has expanded from simple moderation of online forums to encompassing broader responsibilities such as marketing, public relations, and community engagement strategies. The rise of social media has further embedded them into the core structure of businesses, where they contribute to content creation and brand communication strategies.

How does the work of community managers impact brand success?

Community managers significantly impact brand success through their management of user engagement and brand perception. By creating an active and positive community around a brand, they enable better customer relations, foster loyalty, and provide critical feedback for product or service enhancement, thereby driving overall business growth.