Community launch checklist

<h1>Community Launch Checklist</h1> <h2>Overview</h2> <p>Launching a new community on Zakaya requires thoughtful preparation to ensure your members have a great first experience. This checklist will guide you through the essential steps to take before opening your doors to ensure your community starts off strong and engaged.</p> <h2>Before You Begin</h2> <h3>Define Your Community Purpose</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Write a clear, concise community description that explains who the community is for and why they should join</li> <li>[ ] Define 3-5 core values or principles that will guide your community</li> <li>[ ] Identify specific goals for your first 30, 60, and 90 days</li> </ul> <h3>Set Up Your Community Space</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Customize your community name and profile image</li> <li>[ ] Create essential chat rooms (welcome, general discussion, introductions, etc.)</li> <li>[ ] Set up topic-specific rooms based on your community's interests</li> <li>[ ] Configure voice chat rooms if relevant to your community</li> <li>[ ] Customize your community settings (privacy, moderation levels, etc.)</li> </ul> <h2>Content Preparation</h2> <h3>Seed Initial Content</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Draft a compelling welcome post pinned in your welcome room</li> <li>[ ] Prepare 5-10 discussion prompts to keep conversations flowing in the first week</li> <li>[ ] Create an FAQ post addressing common questions new members might have</li> <li>[ ] Develop a "community guidelines" post outlining expectations for participation</li> </ul> <h3>Create Resources</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Add helpful resources to relevant rooms (links, files, guides)</li> <li>[ ] Prepare a "getting started" guide for new members</li> <li>[ ] Create templates for recurring events or activities</li> </ul> <h2>Team Preparation</h2> <h3>Moderator Setup</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Invite and onboard moderators/admins</li> <li>[ ] Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member</li> <li>[ ] Create a private moderator chat room for team communication</li> <li>[ ] Train moderators on community guidelines and moderation tools</li> </ul> <h3>Test Your Community</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Create test accounts to experience the new member journey</li> <li>[ ] Have team members post test content and interactions</li> <li>[ ] Test all features you plan to use (events, buddy match, etc.)</li> <li>[ ] Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments</li> </ul> <h2>Launch Planning</h2> <h3>Communication Strategy</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Prepare launch announcement messaging for different channels</li> <li>[ ] Create a schedule for your first week of activities</li> <li>[ ] Plan your first community event</li> <li>[ ] Set up a feedback mechanism for early members</li> </ul> <h3>Growth Planning</h3> <ul> <li>[ ] Define your invitation strategy (open vs. invite-only)</li> <li>[ ] Create shareable invitation links if applicable</li> <li>[ ] Prepare materials for potential members to understand your community</li> <li>[ ] Set up the buddy match program to help new members integrate</li> </ul> <h2>Final Checks</h2> <ul> <li>[ ] Review all community settings one final time</li> <li>[ ] Ensure all team members understand their roles</li> <li>[ ] Test the joining experience from multiple devices</li> <li>[ ] Have a plan for welcoming and engaging your first members</li> </ul> <h2>Examples of Successful Launches</h2> <h3>The Gradual Rollout</h3> <p>The Photography Enthusiasts community started with a core group of 15 active members who were personally invited by the founder. These initial members helped seed discussions and create a welcoming atmosphere before the community was opened more broadly. They used the buddy match program to pair experienced members with newcomers, resulting in 85% retention of new members in the first month.</p> <h3>The Event-Centered Launch</h3> <p>The Professional Developers Network launched with a scheduled AMA (Ask Me Anything) session featuring an industry expert. They promoted this event ahead of time, which gave people a specific reason to join on launch day. The event created immediate engagement, with over 70% of new members participating in the discussion. Following the event, they had prepared discussion prompts ready to maintain momentum.</p> <h3>The Content-Rich Start</h3> <p>The Cooking Collective prepared extensive resources before launch, including recipe collections, technique guides, and weekly challenge templates. When members joined, they immediately found valuable content to engage with. This approach led to high initial engagement rates, with members spending an average of 25 minutes in the community during their first visit.</p> <h2>Post-Launch Considerations</h2> <ul> <li>Schedule a team debrief 48 hours after launch to address any issues</li> <li>Plan to personally welcome each new member for at least the first week</li> <li>Monitor engagement metrics to identify what's working and what needs adjustment</li> <li>Be prepared to adapt your content and activities based on member feedback</li> <li>Consider a formal feedback session two weeks after launch</li> </ul> <h2>Final Tips</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Don't aim for perfection</strong>: It's better to launch and improve based on real feedback than to delay indefinitely.</li> <li><strong>Be visibly present</strong>: As a community leader, your active participation sets the tone.</li> <li><strong>Celebrate small wins</strong>: Acknowledge early participation and milestones to build momentum.</li> <li><strong>Stay flexible</strong>: Be ready to pivot your approach based on how your community naturally develops.</li> </ul> <p>Remember that building a thriving community takes time. Focus on creating quality experiences for your early members, and growth will follow naturally as you establish a valuable, engaging space on Zakaya.</p>