Platform 2 Guide — This article applies to the new platform. Looking for classic platform docs? Browse the Platform 1 collection.
Why: Keeping your members engaged is crucial for building a thriving community. By leveraging various engagement strategies, you can enhance member satisfaction, foster loyalty, and ultimately grow your subscriber base.
Navigate: This guide covers features across App Station > Settings, App Station > Community, and App Station > Monetization.
Quick Start
Enable push notifications in your app settings.
Set up gamification elements like points and badges in the gamification settings.
Configure completion tracking for courses and journeys in your content settings.
Activate comments and ratings for your content types in the engagement settings.
Create announcements to keep members informed about new content or features.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are a powerful tool to bring members back to your app. Use them strategically to remind members about new content, upcoming events, or special promotions.
When to Use Push Notifications:
New Content Alerts: Notify members when you publish new recipes, meal plans, or blog posts.
Event Reminders: Remind members about upcoming live sessions or challenges.
Personalized Messages: Send tailored notifications based on member preferences or previous interactions.
Best Practices:
Frequency: Avoid overwhelming members with too many notifications. Aim for a balanced approach.
Timing: Send notifications at times when members are most likely to engage, such as evenings or weekends.
Tip: Use the Notifications tab in App Station to configure your push notification settings.
Gamification
Gamification adds an element of fun and competition to your app, encouraging members to engage more actively.
Key Elements:
Points System: Members earn points for completing actions like rating recipes or posting comments.
Badges: Reward members with badges for achievements, such as completing a course or reaching a milestone.
Leaderboards: Display top members based on points to foster a sense of competition.
Implementation:
Configure point values for various actions in the Gamification settings.
Create badges that align with your community goals and encourage participation.
Tip: Regularly update your gamification elements to keep the experience fresh and exciting for members.
Completion Tracking
Encourage members to finish programs, courses, or journeys by implementing completion tracking. This helps members stay motivated and accountable.
How to Set It Up:
Enable completion tracking for courses and journeys in your content settings.
Use reminders or notifications to prompt members to continue their progress.
Benefits:
Members are more likely to engage with content that tracks their progress.
Completion tracking can lead to higher satisfaction and retention rates.
Comments and Ratings
Allowing members to leave comments and ratings on your content fosters community interaction and feedback.
Configuration:
Enable comments and ratings for your content types in the Engagement settings.
Consider setting moderation options to ensure a positive environment.
Community Building:
Encourage members to share their thoughts and experiences with your content.
Respond to comments to show that you value member input and foster a sense of community.
The Forum
Creating a forum within your app provides a space for deeper discussions among members.
Key Features:
Categories: Organize discussions into relevant topics.
Topics & Posts: Allow members to create and reply to discussions.
Moderation Tools: Ensure a safe and respectful environment.
Implementation:
Set up your forum categories in the Community settings.
Encourage members to participate by starting discussions related to your content.
Announcements
Use announcements to communicate important updates, new features, or community events directly to your members.
Best Practices:
Keep announcements concise and engaging.
Use rich media (images, videos) to make announcements more appealing.
Configuration:
Manage announcements in the Announcements section of App Station.
Social Sharing
Encourage your members to share content on social media to spread the word about your app organically.
How to Enable:
Configure social sharing settings in the Sharing settings.
Provide easy-to-use share buttons on content pages.
Benefits:
Increases visibility and attracts new members through organic sharing.
Engages current members by allowing them to showcase their favorite content.
Referral Programs
Implement a referral program to incentivize your existing members to bring in new subscribers.
How It Works:
Members generate a unique referral code to share with friends.
Reward both the referrer and the new member for signing up.
Configuration:
Set up your referral program in the Gamification settings.
Tip: Promote your referral program through announcements and social media to maximize participation.
Engagement Cadence and Avoiding Notification Fatigue
Finding the right balance in engagement is key. Here are some tips:
Cadence: Establish a regular schedule for sending notifications and announcements. For example, weekly updates or monthly highlights.
Avoid Fatigue: Monitor member feedback and engagement metrics to adjust your communication frequency. Too many notifications can lead to disengagement.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a vibrant community that keeps your members engaged and encourages growth.