Community Onboarding Buddy Program — a step-by-step guide on how to start one

Imagine entering a room full of strangers who already know each other. They are having fun, enjoying their time, and participating in discussions. They have friends already. They are a part of this group. What do you feel? Shy, insecure, and lost are likely emotions that come to mind in this situation. But there is also lots of curiosity and excitement for an opportunity to join those people and start to create something with them. Be a part of something.

That’s how could feel a new member of your community.

But imagine that suddenly one person comes out of this crowd and with a smile starts a conversation with you, introduces themselves, explains to you the relationship between people, and the topic of discussion, and then begins to introduce you to others.

We all already know that launching a Community Ambassador Program in a community can bring lots of benefits, including increased visibility, engagement, and representation of the community.
However, today I want to invite you to take one step further — let’s start creating the Community Onboarding Buddy Program!

The Onboarding Buddy Program focuses specifically on ensuring that new members have a positive and successful onboarding experience, which is critical in retaining new members and growing the community. By providing a dedicated and personal touch, the Onboarding Buddy Program can help new members feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

And of course, a community manager plays a crucial role in welcoming new members to a community and ensuring their positive experience. However, due to the large volume of new members and the limited resources available (let’s be frank — lots of community managers are the 1-person team), it can be challenging to provide each new member with the level of attention and support they deserve. The Community Onboarding Buddy Program can provide valuable assistance in this regard. By enlisting the help of volunteers from the community, the program can provide new members with a personal touch and individualized support.

But what is the difference between Community Ambassador and Community Onboarding Buddy?
Let me show you the 3 main differences in a graphic below:

Ready to dig deeper? How to create Community Onboarding Buddy Program? This is my short step-by-step guide. But of course, feel free to make it your own way — experiments and tests are always welcome.

1. Define the purpose and goals of the program:
   Identify the specific needs and objectives of the community and what the Onboarding Buddy Program hopes to achieve.
2. Recruit and train Onboarding Buddies:
   Find volunteers who are willing to be Onboarding Buddies and provide them with the necessary training and resources to effectively help new members.
3. Develop a welcome and onboarding process:
   Create a step-by-step process for how Onboarding Buddies will welcome and assist new members, including introductions to the community, providing information and resources, and answering questions. But give them some space — people are able to create amazing things once you will give them some freedom.
4. Create a matching process:
   Develop a process for pairing new members with Onboarding Buddies based on common interests, background, or other relevant factors.
5. Provide ongoing support and resources:
   Make sure that Onboarding Buddies have the support and resources they need to be successful, including regular check-ins, access to community leaders, and training opportunities.
6. Launch and Promote:
   Launch the Onboarding Buddy program and promote it to new and existing members to encourage participation and maximize its impact.

Recruiting and training Onboarding Buddies is an essential aspect of creating this program. We have to be sure that we recruit the right person but also that we provide tools to support them in their new mission. Again — very important mission. In Poland, we say “the good first impression you can make only once”. And here we have the same case. We want to avoid the risk of losing a new member of our community because of a bad first experience. The goal here is to make it all easier and smoother for them.

So how to recruit and train Onboarding Buddies?

1. Identify the ideal Onboarding Buddy:
   Determine the qualities and skills that would make someone a successful Onboarding Buddy. Consider factors such as communication skills, empathy, and experience within the community.
2. Reach out to the community:
   Promote the Onboarding Buddy Program and invite members to apply or nominate someone they believe would be a good fit.
3. Review applications and conduct interviews:
   Carefully review all applications and conduct interviews with selected candidates.
4. Provide training:
   Provide Onboarding Buddies with training on the community culture, policies, and procedures, as well as effective communication and interpersonal skills. Make sure they have the information and resources they need to effectively help new members.
5. Offer incentives:
   Consider offering incentives such as recognition or community perks.

The Onboarding Buddies serve as a bridge between the new members and the community and can provide a more personalized and effective onboarding experience. This can help to foster a stronger sense of community and ensure that new members feel welcome and supported from their very first interactions with the community. This, in return, can increase engagement, foster a sense of belonging, and create a more positive and supportive environment for all members. The Community Onboarding Buddy program is a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation for new members.
So… are you ready for the launch of your Community Onboarding Buddy Program?