Redefining Community Management: The Case for 'Community Professional'
Why the term "Community Manager" no longer suffices..
In recent years, the term "Community Manager" has become ubiquitous, with many organizations and businesses using it to describe a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. However, as the term has become more widespread, it has also become increasingly watered down and vague, leading to confusion about what it actually means.
One of the main factors contributing to the watering down of the term "Community Manager" has been the rise of social media. As social media platforms have become increasingly important for businesses and organizations, the term "Community Manager" has often been used to describe the person responsible for managing a company's social media presence. While social media management can certainly be an important part of community management, it is just one aspect of a much broader set of responsibilities.
Another factor contributing to the confusion around the term "Community Manager" is the fact that it is often associated with realty, apartment, or housing community managers. While these roles are certainly important, they are also quite different from the work that many other community professionals do. As a result, using the term "Community Manager" can sometimes lead to misunderstandings about what a person's role actually entails, especially when job hunting.
To address these issues, many people are now advocating for the use of the term "Community Professional" to describe the broad range of roles and responsibilities involved in community management. Unlike "Community Manager", which can be vague and misleading, "Community Professional" is a much more accurate and inclusive term that reflects the diversity of skills and expertise required to effectively manage a community.
Using the term "Community Professional" also helps to emphasize the fact that community management is a complex and multifaceted discipline that requires a broad range of skills and knowledge. Community professionals may be responsible for everything from developing and implementing engagement strategies to moderating content, responding to member inquiries and feedback, organizing events, analyzing metrics, building partnerships and relationships, and much more.
Ultimately, whether you prefer the term "Community Manager" or "Community Professional", it is clear that effective community management is a critical part of any organization or business's success. By recognizing the importance of this discipline and investing in the skills and expertise of community professionals, we can help to build stronger and more vibrant communities that benefit everyone.
I believe that it's time to move away from the term "Community Manager" and instead adopt the term "Community Professional." As a community professional, I feel that the term "Community Manager" is too narrow and doesn't accurately reflect the broad range of responsibilities and skills that come with the job.
I believe that the term "Community Professional" better represents the vital role that we play in shaping our societies. We are not just managers; we are professionals who possess the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to create thriving communities.
A list of some community roles that would fall under the umbrella of "Community Professional" and a brief definition of each:
Community Manager - responsible for the day-to-day operations of a community, including creating and implementing engagement strategies, moderating content, responding to member inquiries and feedback, organizing events, and analyzing metrics to track community growth and engagement.
Community Coordinator - responsible for supporting the community manager in the organization and execution of community events, creating and distributing community content, and providing administrative support.
Community Strategist - responsible for developing and executing strategic plans for community growth and engagement, analyzing data to inform decision-making, and identifying opportunities for community development and collaboration.
Community Developer - responsible for identifying and developing partnerships and relationships with other organizations and stakeholders in order to expand the community's reach and impact.
Community Outreach Specialist - responsible for engaging with new and potential members of the community, developing and executing outreach campaigns, and building relationships with community stakeholders.
Community Content Creator - responsible for creating and managing content for the community, including social media posts, blog articles, videos, and other multimedia materials.
Community Moderator - responsible for moderating community content and enforcing community guidelines and policies.
Community Advocate - responsible for advocating for the interests and needs of the community, representing the community to external stakeholders, and facilitating communication between community members and other organizations.
Community Engagement Specialist - responsible for creating and implementing engagement programs that encourage community members to participate in community activities, provide feedback, and collaborate with others.
Community Education Specialist - responsible for developing and implementing educational programs and resources that support the learning and development of community members.
Community Analyst - responsible for analyzing data and metrics related to community growth and engagement, identifying trends and patterns, and providing insights and recommendations to community leadership.
Community Volunteer Manager - responsible for recruiting, training, and managing volunteers who support community activities and events.
Community Ambassador - responsible for representing the community to external stakeholders, building relationships with partners and sponsors, and promoting the community's mission and values.
Community Support Specialist - responsible for providing support to community members who require assistance with community activities, resources, or services.
Community Advocacy Specialist - responsible for advocating for the community's interests and needs, representing the community to external stakeholders, and building relationships with partners and sponsors. This includes identifying and engaging with subject matter experts and influencers who can help promote the community's mission and values, as well as managing those relationships to ensure their ongoing support. The Community Advocacy Specialist works closely with other community professionals to develop and implement advocacy strategies that support the community's growth and development.
Community Social Media Manager - responsible for managing and growing the community's social media presence, creating and curating content, and engaging with followers and influencers. This may or may not overlap with a traditional Social Media Manager.
These are just a few examples of the roles that fall under the umbrella of "Community Professional". These roles may overlap or be combined depending on the needs of the community and the resources available. However, each role has its unique set of responsibilities and skills that are essential for building and sustaining a strong and vibrant community. Depending on the size and scope of the community, there may be additional or specialized roles that are required to support its growth and development.