Online Community Hub with Katie Allred

Discord vs. Slack vs. Circle: Which Community Platform is Right for You?

Katie Allred — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:52:39 GMT

Choosing the right platform for your online community is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a community builder. Get it right and your members feel at home from day one. Get it wrong and you spend months fighting your own tools instead of fostering real connection. Discord, Slack, and Circle are three of the most popular options on…

How to Start an Online Community in 2026: The Step-by-Step Blueprint

Katie Allred — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:03:17 GMT

There are over 1 billion active online communities worldwide, yet most new ones fail within their first 90 days. The difference between communities that thrive and those that become digital ghost towns is not luck — it is strategy.

Whether you are building a space for fitness enthusiasts, SaaS customers, or local entrepreneurs, this blueprint will walk y…

Why Communities Are More Addictive (in a Good Way) Than Social Media

Katie Allred — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:36:17 GMT

We live in what many call the “Dopamine Economy.” It’s the cultural pull toward instant gratification—the quick hit of likes, notifications, and endless scroll that social media platforms have perfected (Bupa). But while this model captures attention, it leaves people drained, anxious, and ultimately disconnected. Social media thrives on phasic dopamine…

The Community-to-Commerce Pipeline: How Groups Become Marketplaces

Katie Allred — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:24:51 GMT

Picture this: You're scrolling through a Discord server about sneakers when someone drops a screenshot of limited-edition Jordans they're selling. Within minutes, three people are DMing them with offers. No eBay fees, no Amazon algorithm games—just pure, trust-based commerce happening inside a community that started as casual chat.

This isn't a fluke. It…

Why Your Online Community Strategy is Backwards

Katie Allred — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:02:00 GMT

Online communities are everywhere—and every brand wants one. They’re celebrated as the future of customer loyalty, support, and engagement. But here’s the reality: most brand communities don’t work. They become ghost towns, or worse, “online embarrassments” (Futurist Speaker). Gartner once predicted that 70% of online communities would fail, and unfortunately, that warning still rings true (The Community Manager).

Why? Because most community strategies are backwards. They’re built to serve the company first, not the member. Businesses want lower support costs, more marketing reach, or a new sales channel. But people don’t join communities to be marketed to—they join to connect, share, and belong. The result is predictable: company-first communities fizzle, while member-first ones thrive.

This post breaks down the seven biggest mistakes brands make (the “seven sins of community strategy”)—and lays out a blueprint for how to fix them in 2025.

The Seven Sins of Backwards Community Strategy

When to Ban Your Most Active Members

Katie Allred — Sun, 18 May 2025 13:20:00 GMT

Community managers face one of the hardest paradoxes in digital spaces: sometimes your most active member—the one boosting engagement metrics—is also the person quietly poisoning the culture. Unlike dealing with a random troll, this isn’t a quick delete-and-move-on scenario. It’s a high-stakes decision that can shape the future of the entire community. Ban them too quickly, and you risk backlash. Do nothing, and the silent majority may disengage and leave. Either choice carries weight (Harvard Business Review, CMX).

Spotting the Toxic Power User

Not every intense or outspoken member is toxic. Some are simply passionate or raising real concerns. But toxic users have a distinct pattern. They often:

Disregard boundaries—pushing rules, bending norms, and refusing limits (Psychology Today).
Manipulate others—using people as pawns or twisting facts to serve their agenda.
Need to be right—never admitting fault, projecting blame, and denying other perspectives.
Play the victim—casting themselves as wronged whenever challenged.
Create an “us vs. them” dynamic—fueling division and building cliques.
Rule by fear—threatening or ostracizing those who disagree (Forbes, Khoros).

Left unchecked, these users drain the manager’s time, damage the brand’s reputation, and most importantly, drive away the quiet majority who just want a safe, constructive space (McKinsey).

Building a $100M Community ✦

Katie Allred — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:47:34 GMT

The digital landscape is littered with fleeting trends, but one constant remains: the enduring value of a deeply engaged community. In an era where attention is the ultimate currency, cultivating a loyal audience isn’t just good marketing; it’s a strategic asset capable of commanding significant financial valuations. The acquisition of media companies b…

Why Every SaaS Company Will Have a Media Arm by 2026

Katie Allred — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:54:53 GMT

In today's digital landscape, the line between software providers and media companies is rapidly blurring. By 2026, I predict that nearly every successful SaaS company will operate a significant media arm as an integral part of their business strategy. This isn't just speculation—it's the natural evolution of how software companies must engage with thei…

The Death of Social Media Marketing

Katie Allred — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:08:00 GMT

Social media once felt unstoppable. Billions of people log in every day, and ad budgets keep climbing (Sprout Social). On the surface, it looks like the perfect place for brands to grow. But if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed something: social media marketing doesn’t work like it used to. Organic reach is practically gone (Hootsuite

Unlocking the Power of Online Communities: A Guide to Measuring ROI

Katie Allred — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:55:51 GMT

In today's digital age, online communities have become a cornerstone of successful business strategies. They provide a valuable platform for companies to connect with their customers, build brand loyalty, and drive growth. One compelling example is Glamnetic, a magnetic eyelash brand, which created a thriving online community called "Glam Fam." This com…

Why Big Tech is Buying Communities Instead of Building Them

Katie Allred — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:21:04 GMT

Sam Parr's phone buzzed one morning in early 2021. On the other end was Dharmesh Shah, CTO of HubSpot, with an intriguing proposition: HubSpot wanted to acquire The Hustle, the vibrant business community Sam had built from scratch over the previous six years. The price tag? A cool $27 million.

This wasn't just another tech acquisition. It was a testament to a profound truth in today's digital landscape: authentic communities are nearly impossible to manufacture but invaluable to own.

Midjourney prompt: papercraft illustration of a large corporate hand gently holding a glowing community of interconnected paper people, minimalist origami style, white and blue corporate colors, layered paper art, clean design, depth through paper layers, subtle shadows, crisp edges, tech company aesthetic meets human warmth, professional infographic style --ar 16:9 --v 5

The Community Conundrum

Picture this: You're a tech executive with virtually unlimited resources. You have world-class engineers, cutting-edge technology, and a massive marketing budget. It should be easy to build a thriving community.

Wrong.

Just ask the graveyard of failed corporate community initiatives. The harsh reality? You can't engineer authenticity. You can't force the connection. And you certainly can't rush trust.

This is why tech giants increasingly reach for their checkbooks instead of building tools.

From Facebook Group to Media Empire

Katie Allred — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:09:46 GMT

Remember when Facebook groups were just places to share memes and organize high school reunions? Those days are long gone. Today's most successful online communities are transforming into full-fledged media empires, and it's happening faster than you might think.

The Rise of Community-First Companies

Katie Allred — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 03:00:26 GMT

Drawing from extensive research on online communities, including insights from the 2024 CMX Community Industry Report, a profound shift is reshaping how successful companies connect with their audiences. The era of traditional marketing-first approaches is giving way to something more meaningful: community-first business models prioritizing genuine conn…

From Zero to Hero: Building a Thriving Online Community from Scratch

Katie Allred — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:11:01 GMT

Building an online community from the ground up can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can create a vibrant, engaged group that provides value to its members and achieves your goals. Here's a step-by-step guide to take your community from zero to hero.

The Hidden Psychology Behind Successful Community Management

Katie Allred — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:59:56 GMT

Effective community management goes beyond just moderating discussions and posting content. The most successful community managers understand and leverage key psychological principles to create a thriving, engaged community. Let's delve into some of the hidden psychological factors that play a crucial role in successful community management.

Why Your "Thriving" Online Community is Actually a Ghost Town (And How to Fix it Before It’s Too Late)

Katie Allred — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:57:11 GMT

Happy Halloween! Before we get into this post, just wanted to thank you for reading and subscribing. I can’t do this without you.

You check your member count. You see the numbers: 1,000… 5,000… maybe even 10,000 strong! On the surface, your online community seems like a bustling metropolis. But if you look a little closer, a different picture emerges.

Cri…

10 Secrets to Skyrocket Your Online Community Engagement

Katie Allred — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:54:51 GMT

Building a thriving online community is more important than ever in the digital age. Whether you're managing a Facebook group, a forum, or a custom-built platform, engagement is the lifeblood of your community. Here are ten secrets that will help you boost participation and create a vibrant, active community.

1. Create a Strong Welcome Process

First impre…

Insider Secrets: How I Value Facebook Groups as an Industry Expert

Katie Allred — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:47:18 GMT

As someone who's been deeply involved in the world of online communities, I'm often asked about the value of Facebook groups. Recently, I had an interesting conversation that shed light on this topic. Today, I'm sharing my insights to help you understand the true worth of these digital assets.

The Scenario

Imagine you're approached by a company interested in purchasing your Facebook group. It has between 5,000 and 25,000 members and is fairly active. How much should you ask for? Or, if you're on the buying side, what's a fair price to offer? As an expert in this field, here's my take on the situation.

Key Factors I Consider

Additional Assets: Is it just the group, or does it come with a brand, website, or other valuable assets?
Industry Niche: The value can vary greatly depending on the group's focus. In my experience, a professional network, like a group for greenhouse managers, might be more valuable than a general interest group.
Member Count: While not the only factor, the number of members does play a role in valuation.
Engagement Rate: An active group with high engagement is worth more than a larger but dormant one.
Lead Value: I always advise considering how much a potential customer (lead) is worth to your business.

My Valuation Formula

My Substack Summer

Katie Allred — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 14:01:10 GMT

What I read in Summer 2024

Highlights

☕ I read the most in the morning
💌 I subscribed to 4 new Substacks
📜 I scrolled 1 meter in Notes

Top Substacks

Wonder Tools by Jeremy Caplan

Wonder Tools helps you discover the most useful sites and apps
Top post this summer: 💯 Surprisingly useful ChatGPT apps

Mind Of A Writer by Tom Kuegler

Steel your (writing) mind. My…

Unlocking the Monetization Potential of Your Reddit Community

Katie Allred — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:23:04 GMT

Reddit, the self-proclaimed "front page of the internet," is a treasure trove of diverse communities and engaged users. If you've cultivated a thriving Reddit community, you're not just fostering connections, you're also sitting on a potential goldmine. Let's delve into the strategies that can turn your subreddit into a profitable venture.

Generated usin…