Key Takeaways
- The first week as a community manager is exciting, stressful, and critical for setting long-term direction.
- Most new managers spread themselves too thin with tactics instead of focusing on strategy and relationships.
- Prioritization, goal alignment, and feedback loops are essential for success and stress management.
- Learning member needs and building relationships before implementing changes is critical.
I've taken on this very interesting challenge to lead a community of 104,000 members—which is growing by about 3,000 members each month. My main objective was to increase awareness of this community on the internet and help it grow. Additionally, I wanted to create video content on interesting topics to further enhance member engagement.
Why the First Week Matters
In any job, the first week is exciting, stressful, and hard to understand. However, it's also essential because it sets the tone and direction for many years to come.
The way you spend those first seven days shapes team culture, member expectations, and the trajectory of your success in the role. It's not just about getting through the week—it's about laying the right foundation.
Common Mistakes New Community Professionals Make
Most new community professionals make the mistake of going straight to tactics like starting forums, writing emails, and organizing events. This approach seems productive, but it often leads to burnout.
The Problem: They spend months building a group but spread themselves too thin and find it hard to show their value.
The key is to step back, prioritize, and focus on relationship-building before jumping into execution.
What I Did in 7 Days to Feel Less Stressed and More Present
During my first seven days as a community manager, I intentionally focused on learning as much as possible and building relationships with team members, community members, and experts. This strategic approach helped me navigate the overwhelming first week more effectively.
Picked the Best Goals
The first step was to get in sync with the people in the community. I spent time learning about member identities, needs, and goals. This understanding became the foundation for all future decisions.
The Goal-Setting Process:
- Learn what your team and members want from the community.
- Understand the current community stack and tools.
- Set realistic, prioritized goals that matter.
- Ensure alignment with company and team objectives.
Established Community Programs
Established community programs can get complicated regarding the tools used to host and handle the community. Understanding the technical infrastructure and existing programs is essential before making changes.
During the first week, I mapped out existing programs, identified gaps, and prepared recommendations for improvements without disrupting operations.
Set Up a Community Calendar
Now that I'd taken the first steps, it was time to start implementing my plan. I had many new ideas I wanted to try, but it was essential to keep the big picture in mind and set priorities.
The Planning Strategy:
- 1Choose three key initiatives for the first week.
- 2Ensure these goals align with company and team needs.
- 3Put all ideas on a calendar with realistic timelines.
- 4Focus on execution of the top priorities.
Asked for Feedback
My first week was both thrilling and scary. Too much had to be learned, changed, done, and improved. Feedback from my boss and the other people on my team was the only thing that kept me on track with my goals.
Why Feedback is Critical:
- It validates whether you're moving in the right direction.
- It prevents mistakes before they compound.
- It provides perspective when you're overwhelmed.
- It builds trust and alignment with leadership and team.
The Takeaway
The first week as a community manager set the foundation for everything that followed. By focusing on learning, relationship-building, strategic prioritization, and seeking feedback, I was able to manage the stress and make an immediate positive impact.
Whether you're starting a new role or leading an established community, remember: the first week is not about doing everything—it's about doing the right things well.
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