Online Community Managers
Bubble
Professional
Online Community Managers are professionals dedicated to cultivating, moderating, and growing online communities using specific strateg...Show more
Online Community Managers
Bubble
Professional
Online Community Managers are professionals dedicated to cultivating, moderating, and growing online communities using specific strategies, workflows, and engagement practices. They play a key role in setting the tone, culture, and success metrics of digital spaces across platforms.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
300K
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
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General Q&A
Online community managers cultivate, moderate, and grow digital communities by balancing user engagement, platform health, and organizational goals, often working behind the scenes to set the tone and resolve conflicts.
Community Q&A
Online community managers cultivate, moderate, and grow digital communities by balancing user engagement, platform health, and organizational goals, often working behind the scenes to set the tone and resolve conflicts.
Managers network through professional forums, certification programs, and industry events like those by CMX, sharing war stories and best practices.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Conflict Craft
Social NormsOnline Community Managers deeply value emotional labor and skillfully perform behind-the-scenes conflict resolution, balancing empathy with strict enforcement to maintain community health.
Status Stories
Identity MarkersInsider status hinges on war stories from crisis management or viral events, showcasing expertise in both human dynamics and platform technicalities.
Tool Fluency
Insider PerspectiveCommunity Managers master unique insider jargon like 'banhammer' and 'thread necromancy', reflecting specialized workflows and signaling deep platform understanding.
Invisible Work
Hidden InfluencesMuch of their labor is behind-the-scenes, misunderstood by outsiders who often see moderation as censorship rather than a nuanced mix of strategy, empathy, and culture-building.
Sub Groups
Platform-Specific Managers
Managers specializing in communities on platforms like Discord, Facebook, Reddit, or Slack.
Strategy & Analytics Specialists
Community managers focused on metrics, engagement strategies, and data-driven growth.
Industry-Focused Managers
Managers working within specific industries (gaming, tech, education, etc.) with unique community needs.
Freelance & Agency Managers
Independent professionals or those working for agencies managing multiple client communities.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
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Slack
30%Slack is widely used by online community managers for professional networking, sharing best practices, and real-time collaboration in private or semi-private channels.
Discord
20%Discord hosts numerous servers dedicated to community management, offering spaces for peer support, resource sharing, and live discussion.
LinkedIn
15%LinkedIn groups and professional networks are central for community managers to connect, share industry news, and discuss trends.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
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Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Greeting Salutations
Example Conversation
Insider
Welcome to the Hive!
Outsider
Huh? What do you mean by that?
Insider
‘The Hive’ is our affectionate term for the community — it’s lively like a beehive, and ‘Buzzing with excitement’ is how we greet newcomers warmly.
Outsider
Oh, that’s clever! I like that.
Cultural Context
This greeting uses metaphorical language to evoke a sense of energetic community life and solidarity.
Inside Jokes
"Did someone just necro a 5-year-old thread?"
This is joked about because reviving very old threads can either spark great insights or annoy members, reflecting a common dilemma community managers face.
"Deploying the banhammer!"
Used humorously when a moderator bans a user, this phrase lightens the mood around a serious action.
Facts & Sayings
„Thread necromancy“
The act of resurrecting an old forum thread or discussion, often to bring back valuable insights or address unresolved issues.
„Banhammer“
A humorous term referring to the moderator's power to ban users who violate community rules.
„Engagement ladder“
A conceptual model describing stages that community members progress through as they become more involved and active contributors.
„Content cadence“
The planned rhythm or frequency of content being posted to maintain community interest and participation.
Unwritten Rules
Never publicly argue with members.
Maintaining professionalism preserves community trust and avoids escalating conflicts.
Respond promptly but thoughtfully.
Timely replies show respect to community members but hasty responses risk miscommunication.
Balance transparency with brand policies.
Being open fosters trust, but some information must stay confidential to protect the community and company.
Know when to escalate issues.
Some complex conflicts require involving legal or higher management rather than handling alone.
Fictional Portraits
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Maya, 29
Community ManagerfemaleMaya has been managing gaming communities for four years and specializes in creating inclusive, engaging spaces for diverse player bases.
InclusivityTransparencyProactive communication
Motivations
- Building safe and welcoming spaces
- Driving meaningful member engagement
- Measuring community growth and success
Challenges
- Handling toxic behavior and conflict resolution
- Balancing automation tools with human interaction
- Keeping up with rapidly changing platform policies
Platforms
Discord serversTwitter threadsSlack workspaces
engagement ratemoderation queuemember churn
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
Concepts
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Concepts
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 3-4 weeks
1
Observe Active Communities
1 weekBasic
Summary: Join and quietly observe 2-3 thriving online communities to study their management styles.
Details: Start by joining a few well-moderated online communities (forums, Discord servers, Facebook groups, etc.) as a silent observer. Pay close attention to how moderators interact, enforce rules, and foster engagement. Take notes on community guidelines, tone, onboarding processes, and how conflicts are handled. Avoid jumping into moderation discussions immediately; instead, focus on understanding the community’s culture and the subtle ways managers shape it. Common beginner mistakes include being too eager to participate without understanding context, or missing the nuances of community tone. To overcome this, spend at least a week observing before interacting. This step is crucial because it grounds your understanding in real-world practice, not just theory. Evaluate your progress by being able to articulate the differences in management style and culture between the communities you observe.
2
Study Community Guidelines
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Analyze published rules and guidelines from established communities to learn best practices.
Details: Collect and read the published rules, codes of conduct, and onboarding documents from several established online communities. Compare how different communities articulate their values, set boundaries, and communicate expectations. Look for patterns in language, structure, and enforcement policies. Beginners often overlook the importance of clear, accessible guidelines or fail to notice how rules reflect a community’s goals. To avoid this, create a comparison chart or notes on what works well and what feels unclear. This step is vital because writing and enforcing guidelines is a core skill for community managers. Progress can be measured by your ability to draft a sample set of guidelines for a hypothetical community, incorporating best practices you’ve observed.
3
Engage in Community Discussions
1 weekIntermediate
Summary: Participate thoughtfully in discussions, focusing on positive engagement and conflict resolution.
Details: After observing, begin participating in discussions within your chosen communities. Aim to model positive engagement: ask questions, offer help, and respond constructively. Pay special attention to how moderators and managers handle disputes or off-topic posts, and try to emulate their tone and approach. Beginners sometimes overstep by acting like moderators or by misunderstanding community norms. To avoid this, always defer to existing moderators and focus on being a supportive member. This step is important because it builds empathy for members and helps you understand the challenges of maintaining a healthy environment. Evaluate your progress by reflecting on feedback from others and noting any changes in how your contributions are received.
1
Observe Active Communities
1 weekBasic
Summary: Join and quietly observe 2-3 thriving online communities to study their management styles.
Details: Start by joining a few well-moderated online communities (forums, Discord servers, Facebook groups, etc.) as a silent observer. Pay close attention to how moderators interact, enforce rules, and foster engagement. Take notes on community guidelines, tone, onboarding processes, and how conflicts are handled. Avoid jumping into moderation discussions immediately; instead, focus on understanding the community’s culture and the subtle ways managers shape it. Common beginner mistakes include being too eager to participate without understanding context, or missing the nuances of community tone. To overcome this, spend at least a week observing before interacting. This step is crucial because it grounds your understanding in real-world practice, not just theory. Evaluate your progress by being able to articulate the differences in management style and culture between the communities you observe.
2
Study Community Guidelines
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Analyze published rules and guidelines from established communities to learn best practices.
Details: Collect and read the published rules, codes of conduct, and onboarding documents from several established online communities. Compare how different communities articulate their values, set boundaries, and communicate expectations. Look for patterns in language, structure, and enforcement policies. Beginners often overlook the importance of clear, accessible guidelines or fail to notice how rules reflect a community’s goals. To avoid this, create a comparison chart or notes on what works well and what feels unclear. This step is vital because writing and enforcing guidelines is a core skill for community managers. Progress can be measured by your ability to draft a sample set of guidelines for a hypothetical community, incorporating best practices you’ve observed.
3
Engage in Community Discussions
1 weekIntermediate
Summary: Participate thoughtfully in discussions, focusing on positive engagement and conflict resolution.
Details: After observing, begin participating in discussions within your chosen communities. Aim to model positive engagement: ask questions, offer help, and respond constructively. Pay special attention to how moderators and managers handle disputes or off-topic posts, and try to emulate their tone and approach. Beginners sometimes overstep by acting like moderators or by misunderstanding community norms. To avoid this, always defer to existing moderators and focus on being a supportive member. This step is important because it builds empathy for members and helps you understand the challenges of maintaining a healthy environment. Evaluate your progress by reflecting on feedback from others and noting any changes in how your contributions are received.
4
Learn Moderation Tools & Workflows
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Familiarize yourself with basic moderation tools and workflow documentation on major platforms.
Details: Research and experiment with the basic moderation tools available on platforms like Discord, Reddit, or Facebook Groups. Many platforms offer demo environments or documentation for new moderators. Learn about features like post approval, user bans, content filtering, and analytics dashboards. Beginners often feel overwhelmed by the technical side or miss out on automation features that save time. To overcome this, start with platform help centers and walkthroughs, and practice using tools in a test environment if possible. This step is essential because technical proficiency is expected of community managers. Progress is measured by your ability to explain or demonstrate basic moderation actions and workflows for at least one platform.
5
Join Community Manager Networks
1-2 weeks (ongoing)Intermediate
Summary: Connect with other community managers through professional forums and social media groups.
Details: Seek out online spaces where community managers gather to share advice, resources, and job opportunities. These might include professional forums, Slack groups, or social media communities dedicated to community management. Introduce yourself, ask questions, and participate in discussions about challenges and best practices. Beginners sometimes hesitate to engage, fearing they lack experience; remember, these spaces are often welcoming to newcomers. This step is important for networking, mentorship, and staying updated on trends. Evaluate your progress by establishing at least one ongoing conversation or mentorship relationship with an experienced community manager.
Welcoming Practices
„Onboarding AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions“
New community members get to ask questions directly to managers or veteran members, helping them feel included and informed early on.
„‘First post’ shoutouts“
Acknowledging a newcomer’s initial contribution encourages continued participation and builds rapport.
Beginner Mistakes
Jumping in to correct or reprimand members publicly.
Use private messages or official channels when addressing issues to maintain trust and avoid public embarrassment.
Focusing solely on visible engagement metrics.
Pay attention to qualitative data like member sentiment and feedback to get a fuller picture of community health.
Pathway to Credibility
Tap a pathway step to view details
Master platform tools and features.
Proficiency with the technical aspects signals capability and enables effective management.
Build a portfolio of successfully handled crises or viral moments.
Demonstrating experience with tough situations earns respect and shows resilience.
Engage deeply with community culture and language.
Fluency in member norms, humor, and communication styles establishes authentic connection and insider status.
Facts
Regional Differences
North America
North American community managers often emphasize data analytics and ROI-driven strategies, reflecting the corporate focus on measurable impact.
Europe
European communities may have stricter privacy and consent norms affecting moderation styles and member communications.
Asia
In Asia, community managers may handle platforms with distinct cultural etiquettes and sometimes more hierarchical member structures, influencing engagement tactics.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Community managers are just moderators who censor content.
Reality
Their role blends conflict resolution, strategic growth, member engagement, and often involves emotional labor beyond simple moderation.
Misconception #2
Community managers and social media managers have the same job.
Reality
While overlapping, community managers focus deeply on building and nurturing communities, managing culture and member relationships, not just content scheduling and brand promotion.
Clothing & Styles
Branded T-shirts or hoodies
Community managers often wear apparel featuring their community or platform’s branding at industry events to signal their professional identity and foster networking.
