What is the difference between community building and management?

Great question, Rohit. Over the past 20 years, I have following way to differentiate between community building and management:

Community building is the strategic process of creating a community from the ground up - defining its vision, culture and attracting initial members. Community management is the operational process of nurturing and maintaining an existing community through daily engagement, moderation, and support. They are distinct but deeply interconnected functions essentially for long-term community health.

Many businesses are starting to see the need for both the foundational work (building) before the day-to-day (management) can be truly effective; recognizing community as a strategic asset.

I often say - your community is the highest ROI asset your business will ever build.

This is fantastic! Community Management is what happens after the foundation is laid.

• Building = Strategic Creation/Initiation (The Why & Initial How)
• Management = Operational Maintenance/Nurturing (The Daily How

The initial set of people are responsible for building the community; but as it grows, the community needs to be actively managed.

You need a different approach when building a community from ground up.

Community Building

• Define purpose
• Set guidelines and rules
• Onboard first community members
• Create content

Community Management

• Nurture relationships
• Keep community engaged
• Actively moderate the community
• Conduct events, activities

You can clearly see the difference between management vs building. You need to focus on community building activities when your community is new. But as the community grows, the focus shifts on active management. I hope this helps.

Community management is easier than community building. Each requires different set of skills. Community building requires ability to connect with people and marketing your vision to potential members, while management requires actively creating content and ensuring a positive environment.

Community building is about sharing the common vision of your community and attracting the right audience. Community management is about ensuring that the community adheres to the rules and guidelines set up by community owners.