First of all, welcome! No such thing as "face-palming" questions here 

Have you thought about partnering with a brick and mortar in the hunting/fishing industry? I'd think they might be having a tricky time right now, and may be looking to support something digital that has mutual benefit. 

Another thought would be approaching someone who runs a blog or publication that doesn't really have a community component to it, and see if they'd want to work together. Someone with synergy and audience.

Tapping into our brain trust here, @ST any thoughts?

Hi, DBenoit.

@DBenoit posted:

Hello, 

Thanks for giving us some more information about you and your goals in your profile.

From your profile

Have you found any places (physical or virtual) where like-minded people congregate? I'm picking up on Rosemary's thoughts about brick and mortar establishments (physical) or blog or publication (virtual) places where you can meet prospective members of your community.  

People who can help you.

Find like-minded people: influencers, collaborators, supporters.

"overcoming personal health challenges in the hunting and fishing communities." This sounds like you are talking about Wellness.  Borrowing an idea from the Global Wellness Institute.

 

 

• Physical: A healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc.
• Mental: Engagement with the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity, etc.
• Emotional: Being in touch with, aware of, accepting of, and able to express one’s feelings (and those of others).
• Spiritual: Our search for meaning and purpose in human existence.
• Social: Connecting with, interacting with, and contributing to other people and our communities.
• Environmental: A healthy physical environment free of hazards; awareness of the role we play in bettering rather than denigrating the natural environment.

 Riffing off the diagram and text above, I would find people where they are as they pursue wellness in the areas highlighted above.

There are workshops and seminars for people looking to improve their lives and live with their disease(s). There are professionals who practice medicine and counsel people with specific diseases. Find influencers who can tell people about your community. These influencers may be able to help you in other ways.

 

Bear with me as I am totally new to this arena and will likely ask some very, very face-palm-worthy questions! I am building a unique health-based community in the hunting and fishing space, and am curious as to what your experiences have been with recruiting beta testers for your communities. My goals are as follows: 

1) Get a solid sample of users for feedback regarding site layout and navigation

When you find and engage your first sample users (precious and limited resources), you want to use them well. They can help you to understand your market, define their problems, understand how what you create will solve those problems. I would focus on your prospective members first.

I see you have set up a sample site https://theoutdoorpheonix.crowdstack.io/

The default settings in the Crowdstack platform are functional and should meet your basic needs for now. While site layout and navigation are important,  I wouldn't devote significant resources (time and energy of users) to that aspect of your community development.

2) Get a a meaningful of sample traffic for behavior analysis, growth estimates, etc. to aid in future advertising and affiliate development

Learn about Google Analytics. You can use this in conjunction with the Crowdstack platform.

 

3) Set the stage for a successful crowdfunding campaign. This will by necessity be a benefit-based fundraising campaign versus an equity-based fundraising campaign. I'm interested to hear what you all have been able to do using the former format versus the latter.

I don't have any thoughts on crowdfunding except that your members are your crowd.

Sources of revenue

• Paid-subscription model
  Some parts of your community could be open to the public, and other parts could be a paid members-only area.
• Sponsorship
  Find businesses that already sell goods and services to your prospective members (drug companies, sporting goods manufacturers)

What, if anything have you found to be a successful recruiting tool for beta testers? What in your minds is necessary to attract crowdfunding above and beyond benefits offered to the beta testers? Is it advisable to recruit both at the same time? 

This (below) should have been the lead thought.

Create a marketing persona for the typical member of your community. Then you'll know how to find your first community members (beta testers). You should also have some ideas on how to articulate how what you are doing solves their problems. Convey value to them, they will come.

I hope there something here for you.

 ST

Thank you guys, all really good information. I will have to digest it! I have the basic structure of the site laid out. It is geared toward fostering exchange and encouraging interaction between members with each subgroup (with the exception of "medical conditions in the field") having it's own introduction and event forum, and a separate discussion forum. There are also chat rooms set up for each subgroup, including each medical condition listed in the "medical conditions in the field." I think I have a great layout established and it will be a matter of fine tuning for the rest of the week. 

As far as marketing personas go, I have a total of six profile-types of users around which the site is built. Yes, you read that correctly, six. Each one has a unique set of goals and needs relative to health in the outdoor space, and as such has its own subgroup. To foster communication and exchange across groups, there is a collective "bragging board" where regardless of health challenge or preferred activity, members can post to share major accomplishments, milestones, harvests, and significant events in their outdoor life. 

I look forward to really diving into these ideas and coming up with a game plan! Thank you all again!