Matching New Community Members with Onboarding Buddies

I like to go back to what I’ve written, look at it, and reevaluate it if necessary. My post about the Community Onboarding Buddy Program is the most popular on my blog so far. I’ve seen traffic on it every day since it was published. This motivated me to come back to it and add one missing element — how to match new community members with their onboarding buddies.

Onboarding Buddies are like superheroes without capes, ready to provide guidance, support, and mentorship to new members to help them feel more comfortable and confident as they integrate into their new environment. With their experience and expertise, they can offer valuable insights and advice that will help new members immerse in a new space faster.

But how exactly do you match a new member with an Onboarding Buddy? The process is simple, yet fun and exciting. The first step is to get to know the new member and potential Onboarding Buddies. Ask them questions and learn about their hobbies, interests, backgrounds, and preferences. Discover what makes them unique and special, and use that knowledge to make the perfect match. I used to send a short survey to every new member once a person joined the community with few simple questions (this way I also was able to surprise them with Happy Birthday ;)).

Once you’ve gathered enough information, it’s time to play matchmaker! Look for commonalities, shared interests, and personality traits that are a good fit. Maybe they both love cats or are passionate about music. Maybe they share the same values or have similar career goals. Whatever it is, find the connection that will bring them together and ignite their friendship.

After you’ve made the perfect match, it’s time to introduce them to each other. Reach out to both parties and provide an introduction and contact information for each other. Encourage them to reach out and start building their new friendship.

It’s important to keep in mind that the onboarding process doesn’t end after the initial introduction. Follow-up check-ins with both the new member and their Onboarding Buddy are essential to ensure that the match is working out and to address any issues that may arise. Regular check-ins can help identify any challenges the new member is facing and provide an opportunity for their Onboarding Buddy to offer guidance and support. In addition, it’s important to encourage open communication between the pair, as this can help to build a strong relationship and foster a sense of community within the organization. Whether it’s a quick chat over coffee or a more formal meeting, regular check-ins are a crucial part of any successful Onboarding Buddy program.

And finally, it’s time to celebrate the perfect match! Plan a fun get-together where the new member and their Onboarding Buddy can get to know each other better. Maybe a coffee break, a virtual happy hour, or a fun activity that they both enjoy. The possibilities are endless, and the memories they create will last a lifetime.

Onboarding Buddies are a valuable asset to any community, organization, or company. Pairing new members with Onboarding Buddies can be a fun and effective way to help them feel more at home in their new environment. By getting to know them, finding a perfect match, making the introduction, following up, and celebrating the match, you can create a successful Onboarding Buddy program that benefits both new members and the community as a whole. So what are you waiting for? Let’s start making some perfect matches!