Finding the right platform to manage, grow and engage your community can look like a tricky challenge. As the CMX Guide to community platforms shows, there is an ever-increasing number of online tools available to manage and communicate with your members, and build up directories, forums or knowledge bases to allow them to connect and exchange with one another; some of these tools can even be combined or integrated. Many tools offer free versions, yet they all represent a significant investment: be it only the time you will spend implementing, managing and animating the chosen platform(s).
So - where to start? What to keep in mind while picking up the tools you will use? Which tools can provide the highest possible value to your early members, while enabling the growth of your community? Which tools are more appropriate for the specific kind of community you are building and the kind of services and features you want to offer your members? How to articulate different free tools to build a complex platform at low cost?
We're inviting a few expert community builders who will share hands-on insights on how they managed to build vibrant communities, by "hacking" and combining a set of free (or affordable) online tools. The format of the evening will provide room for Q&A, and discussions with other fellow community professionals.
Severin Matusek is the founder of co-matter, a platform that explores what makes communities thrive. He works with companies worldwide to help people better connect, share and create. Most recently Severin helped EyeEm build their community of 22 million photographers, micropayment service Flattr re-launch their product and Techfestival bring 16.000 people to Copenhagen this September.
Pauline is the co-founder of Coworkies - a global platform connecting professionals across coworking spaces. With Coworkies, Pauline explored 240 coworking spaces in 24 cities around the world since last year.
Aside from Coworkies, Pauline is also one of the co-initiator of the Startup Berlin Slack Group, a free Slack chat for people interested in the Berlin startup scene. We curate a monthly members generated newsletter, a startup directory, organize events and generally have good time while fostering the startup community in the city.
Lastly, she is one of the French Tech Ambassador in Berlin, supporting French Startup in settling here in Berlin.
Kristoffer helps companies and cultural organisations fund, develop and accelerate new projects. He helped build CPH:DOX’s profile on technology, Mosaik’s efforts on digital learning and branding, and initiated BeTech, Belgium’s largest community for entrepreneurs. Most recently he worked on enabling 400+ co-creators to build the first edition of Techfestival.
