Hi, I’m Cristina, and, among other things, I write content at STOICA. 

A few weeks ago, I attended the Start Your Community workshop led by Liviu and Mădălina from We For Real. 

What I thought would be a casual discussion about bringing people together in a Facebook group or on a Slack channel turned into a complete guide to building meaningful, self-sustainable communities.

Over two packed days, I learned much about creating purpose-driven communities, finding the right people, and keeping them engaged. 

Here’s what stuck with me the most.

Start with a purpose. Always.

The first lesson was simple yet profound: every community starts with a purpose. Without it, it’s just a gathering of people with no real connection. 

“Purpose binds members together and keeps them engaged over time.”

Take ÎntreVecini, for example - a community designed to help people living in the same building collaborate for the greater good. Their purpose is clear and relatable, giving members a reason to show up and work together.

Purpose also feeds into your community’s mission (what you do), vision (where you’re going), and values (how you interact). These elements form a guiding compass, especially as the community grows and evolves.

Looking back, I realized I’ve seen communities fail because they didn’t have a clear “why.” 

I even ran one myself that fizzled out. I didn’t understand how critical a shared purpose was at that time. Purpose doesn’t just attract people; it gives them a reason to stay.

Understanding your members

Liviu and Mădălina emphasized the importance of knowing who your community is better suited for. 

“It’s not just about demographics - it’s about understanding what drives your members, their challenges, and their goals.”

Profiling helps you tailor your approach. 

One insight that stuck with me was to keep personas simple - three is the magic number. Too many, and you lose focus. Too few, and you risk overlooking essential member needs.

What I found especially valuable was their advice to revisit these profiles regularly. People’s lives and priorities change, and so should your understanding of them. 

Profiling isn’t something you set and forget - it’s a living, breathing part of your community strategy.

Here's a simple framework for profiling your community members.

How to kickstart?

Every community has a core group of people who bring energy and enthusiasm - the advocates who help the community thrive. Liviu and Mădălina explained that finding these core members contributes to long-term success.

The process is intentional. It starts with your network, your social media presence, and the events you attend. These are the places where you’ll meet like-minded people who can bring real value to your community.

When reaching out, storytelling makes all the difference. Liviu and Mădălina shared a simple but effective framework:

• Your story: Why does this community matter to you?
• Our story: How does it connect to the group’s mission?
• What’s next: What can they do to get involved?

The magic lies in being genuine. People respond to honesty, not to a sales pitch. A heartfelt invitation can transform a potential member into a lifelong advocate.

What keeps members engaged?

Building a community doesn’t end when people join. 

The real work begins with keeping them engaged. Liviu and Mădălina stressed the importance of aligning everything - content, events, and interactions - with your purpose and values.

“Good content builds curiosity, sparks conversations, and reinforces a sense of belonging. It can empower members by solving their challenges or connecting them with others who can help.”

Events, meanwhile, are the glue that holds the community together. The key is to focus on quality over quantity. A well-planned Q&A, workshop, or meetup with one or two main activities can significantly impact more than an overstuffed agenda.

The golden rule? 

Preparation is everything. Success comes from doing the groundwork - setting expectations, creating the right atmosphere, and making members feel valued before the event even begins.

The most important lesson I took away? 

Great communities aren’t built overnight. They require purpose, thoughtfulness, and care. Liviu and Mădălina shared a powerful reminder: communities thrive when they offer belonging, connection, and a shared mission.

If you’re thinking about starting a community, ask yourself: what’s your purpose? And how can you invite others to be part of that journey?

What's next?

Next week, we’re diving into another workshop with Liviu and Mădălina on how to measure community success and what KPIs to pay attention to. 

Stay tuned for more insights!