Kajabi Communities for Beginners

Welcome to the next frontier of online learning! Gone are the days of studying in solitude. Now, it's all about building communities that learn, grow, and thrive together. Let's dive into how Kajabi is leading the charge in merging courses with vibrant communities for a richer, more connected learning experience.

The Power and Benefits of Building a Community in Online Learning

Imagine transforming your online courses from a solo journey into a vibrant, collaborative adventure. Building a community around your courses can revolutionize the learning experience for everyone involved, from beginners to seasoned pros. By bringing instructors (heroes) and learners (members) together in a shared space, you unlock a treasure trove of interaction, support, and motivation. Here’s why creating a community is a game-changer for your online courses:

1. Better Interaction

When heroes and members can communicate directly, the learning process becomes dynamic and engaging. Learners can ask questions, seek feedback, and build a deeper connection with the material—and with you.

2. Shared Experiences

Learning is better together. A community allows members to share their insights, discuss challenges, and learn from one another. This collective wisdom enriches the learning experience and makes it far more enjoyable and rewarding.

3. Increased Motivation

Feeling stuck? Look to your community for a boost! Seeing others progress and having a built-in support system encourages everyone to stay motivated and complete their courses. It's like having a team of cheerleaders rooting for your success.

4. Business Support

Think of your community as your secret weapon. A strong community not only supports your current business goals but also provides a ready audience for future courses or products. It’s a powerful asset for growth and sustainability, helping you expand your reach and impact.

5. Higher Completion Rates

Many learners start online courses but never finish them. A supportive community helps keep learners accountable and motivated, leading to higher completion rates. When learners feel connected, they’re more likely to stick with the course and see it through to the end.

6. Stronger Content

Community discussions and interactions can help reinforce your course content. When learners engage with the material and each other, they deepen their understanding and retention, making your courses more effective.

At Kajabi, we don’t just talk the talk—we walk the walk by seamlessly embedding community features directly into our courses. This isn't just about learning; it's about belonging.

Key Features of Kajabi Communities

Ready to level up? Here's a glimpse into the features that make Kajabi Communities stand out:

• Access Groups: Create specific member groups for different courses or membership levels. This way, each member gets the content and support that match what they signed up for. Watch the tutorial here.
• Channels (formerly known as Circles): Set up public and private discussion spaces for focused conversations. These virtual gathering spots let members dive into specific topics, share insights, and connect with others who have similar interests or goals. Watch the tutorial here.
• Meetups: Host live sessions and events to bring your community together. Schedule and run live sessions like Q&A sessions, guest speaker events, or workshops right within your community. Watch the tutorial here.
• Challenges: Create fun and engaging challenges to reinforce your content with clear instructions and prizes. Joining the challenges yourself can inspire your members. Watch the tutorial here.
• Member Directory: Help your community members find and connect. The directory makes it easy for members to find peers with similar interests, goals, or career paths, promoting collaboration and building connections.
• Leaderboard: Add a competitive edge to your community with leaderboards. These gamify the experience by giving points for engagement, participation, or achievements. Leaderboards provide motivation and a sense of belonging, which boosts member engagement and retention.
• Custom Pages: Make your community feel more personalized with custom pages. These pages can be hubs for important information, resources, announcements, or upcoming events. Customize your landing pages to fit your brand and meet your community's needs and preferences.  

Download Community Mind Map here. 📥

Success Stories from Kajabi Communities

Meet Michael and  Megan – heroes who embody success through their unique journeys.

Michael's Experience: Michael Finch, a digital nomad using Kajabi software, helps business professionals build membership websites to sell their knowledge. He has found that adding community features to his product has really boosted how engaged and motivated his members are. The chat feature, in particular, encourages users to join discussions and get more involved with the content.

Megan's Journey: As Megan prepares to launch her online classes, she's prioritizing weekly live sessions that smoothly link her course materials with the community. It's about creating an environment where real-time conversations flow naturally, more like a friendly community hangout than a traditional classroom.

Building a Community from Scratch

Alright, let's get down to business and build your community from the ground up! Imagine you’re starting fresh with a blank slate, ready to create a thriving space where your members can connect, learn, and grow together. Here’s your ultimate guide to making it happen:

1. Create Your First Access Group

The access group is your community’s foundation, setting the stage for everything that follows.

• Name It: Choose a name that describes the group of people who are a part of it. Make it inviting and descriptive, like “Fitness Enthusiasts” or “Horticulture Hub.”
• Set the Tone: Your description sets the tone for the entire community. Be authentic—whether your vibe is casual and fun or professional and focused, make sure it shines through so your members understand what to expect. 
• Free or Paid: Decide if this access group will be free or require a membership fee. This decision impacts your community’s growth and the value proposition you offer. 

2. Add Channels (formerly Circles)

Channels are the lifeblood of your community, organizing discussions and interactions.

• Start Small: Begin with 3-5 channels. This helps avoid overwhelming new members and keeps the initial focus clear.
• Stay Focused: Each channel should have a specific topic or purpose. For example, if you’re running a wellness community, you might have channels for accountability, nutrition, and fitness routines.
• Foster Engagement: Kick off each channel with a welcoming post. Set clear guidelines to encourage positive and productive discussions. Be active in the channels to model the kind of engagement you want to see.
  
  

💡 Tips for Effective Channels 💡

As the community grows, add more channels based on engagement patterns:

• Topic-Based Channels: Different topics related to your course or interest areas.
• Location-Based Channel: For members in specific areas to connect.
• Skill Level Channels: Beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.
• Success Stories: A channel for members to share their wins and progress.
• Q&A Channels: Dedicated spaces for questions and answers.

3. Set Up Challenges

Challenges are a fantastic way to motivate your members and keep them engaged.

• Clear and Engaging: Create challenges that are easy to understand and exciting to participate in—for instance, a 30-day fitness challenge with daily tasks and milestones.
• Detailed Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions and any necessary resources. The clearer you are, the more likely members will participate.
• Enticing Prizes: Offer attractive prizes to incentivize participation. These can range from small rewards like recognition in the community to larger prizes like free courses or one-on-one sessions.
• Lead by Example: Participate in the challenges yourself. This shows your commitment and encourages others to join in.

4. Organize Meetups

Meetups bring your community together in real time, fostering deeper connections and interaction.

• Schedule Regularly: Plan meetups on a regular basis, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency helps build anticipation and regular participation.
• Private Rooms: Use private rooms for access group-specific events. This ensures that the meetups are relevant and valuable to the participants. 
• Recurring Events: Recurring events like weekly Q&A sessions or monthly mastermind groups can keep members engaged and coming back.
• Promote Actively: Announce meetups well in advance and promote them through your community feed and announcements. The more you hype them up, the more likely members will attend.

5. Plan and Seed Content

Content is king, and seeding your community with valuable resources right from the start is crucial.

• Create Foundational Content: Develop a few key pieces of content that set the tone for your community. This could be a welcome video, a comprehensive guide, or a series of introductory posts.
• Regular Updates: Plan a content calendar with regular updates. This keeps your community active and gives members a reason to return frequently.
• Engage with Posts: Encourage discussions by asking questions and prompting members to share their thoughts and experiences. Your active participation helps to foster a lively community.

6. Add Admins and Moderators

Running a community can be a lot of work, so don’t do it alone. Here’s how to add admins and moderators:

• Identify Leaders: Look for members who are particularly active and helpful. These are your potential admins and moderators.
• Assign Roles: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities for admins and moderators. They should help manage discussions, enforce guidelines, and foster engagement. Admins have broader control, while moderators focus on specific channels.
• Provide Training: Give your admins and moderators the tools they need to succeed. This might include a brief training session or a guide outlining their duties.
• Incentivize Them: Ensuring they are recognized for their contribution is important. Simply getting intimate time with you may be all the inventive they need, or you can consider discounting their membership or anything else.  

7. Launch and Engage

Finally, it’s time to launch your community and keep the momentum going.

• Invite Founding Members: Start with a small group of founding members who can help kickstart the community with content and activity plus give feedback. This could be your initial supporters or an official beta group.
• Personalize Onboarding: Make new members feel welcome with a personalized onboarding experience. A personal welcome message or a guided tour can help them get started easily.
• Launch and Share: Announce your community launch through your existing channels like email, social media, and your website. Share what’s happening in your community to attract new members using social proof.
• Gather Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your members. This helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
• Iterate and Improve: Use the feedback to evolve and improve your community continuously. Stay flexible and adapt to the needs and preferences of your members.

Kajabi isn't just for courses; it's about building vibrant communities. Moving from self-study to community-driven learning meets the growing need for connection and interaction. With features like real-time chats and custom pages, Kajabi makes learning more engaging and boosts completion rates.

Success stories show how powerful a community can be. Whether starting from scratch or enhancing an existing one, the key steps are: create welcoming spaces, engage regularly, and offer continuous value. Kajabi's tools and resources support every step of this journey.

So jump in, connect, and watch your community thrive!

Q&A and Community Support

Need more guidance? We've got your back:

• Guidance and Resources: For extra help dive into our Beginner Resources for webinars, articles, and expert workshops.
• Bug Report: Got a bug? No worries! Submit in our Bug Report section and we'll take care of it promptly!