The Vibe Ride Blueprint: 8 Strategies For Building A Stronger Community
Introduction
Have you ever led a community that felt like it was slowly falling apart? Like eventually all the excitement and energy was falling through your fingers and what was once a thriving group has now become stale with a drop in membership that doesn’t seem to change no matter what you do?
Throughout my journey as a professional longboarder and community leader, I've discovered and applied various strategies to nurture and grow skate communities like Beyond the Board, Vibe Ride LA, Longboard Dancing LA, and many others before them.
Today, I'm stoked to share these insights with you, hoping they'll inspire and guide you in building your own thriving community whether it be skateboarding, or any other activity. My experience has taught me that the essence of a great community lies not just in shared interests but in shared experiences, mutual respect, and a collective passion.
Read along for 8 strategies to help build and lead a stronger community.
1. Deepening Engagement with New Members
Welcoming new skaters has always been a cornerstone of our community-building efforts. It's essential to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their skill level, feels they belong. We make it a point to personally interact with newcomers, making sure they're comfortable and engaged. It's about fostering a sense of belonging from the get-go. We learned the growth of our community is directly tied to how welcome each new member feels. To achieve this, at Vibe Ride we organize beginner-friendly events and provide resources that help new members integrate smoothly. It’s about creating a journey for them that starts with feeling welcome and leads to becoming an integral part of our community. If done right, skateboarding is healthy both physically and mentally.
Cruising the Santa Monica beach walk is a weekly staple for Vibe Ride.
2. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Invitation
Word of mouth has been a phenomenal tool in expanding our local community. I always encourage our seasoned members to bring their friends and share their experiences. It's these personal stories and shared moments that really resonate and bring new faces into our organization.
I've seen firsthand how a simple invitation from a friend can turn someone into a passionate longboarder and an active community member. Moreover, these personal connections create a trust and familiarity that other forms of outreach like social media simply can’t match. By nurturing a community where members feel proud to invite others, we create a self-sustaining cycle of growth and enthusiasm.
Remember, if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.
3. Fostering a Welcoming Community Culture
Creating a warm and welcoming environment is more than just saying hello. It's about building a culture where every member, new or old, feels seen and appreciated. We organize ice-breaker introductions and activities, as well as social events to make sure everyone gets a chance to mingle and form connections. This culture of inclusivity and warmth is what turns first-time attendees into regulars. Additionally, we pay attention to the small details that make a big difference—like remembering names, acknowledging progress, and celebrating milestones. These gestures might seem small, but they go a long way in making people feel valued and part of a larger family.
Suin enjoying a typical mid-skate dance break with bubbles 🫧
4. Consistency is Key in Community Gatherings
Regular meetups and events are the heartbeat of our skate community. They provide a platform for members to express themselves, learn, and bond over shared passions. We’ve experimented with various formats - from casual skate sessions to more structured workshops and have found a balance that keeps our community both engaged and excited. Consistency in these activities ensures that the community always has something to look forward to.
Additionally, these events are designed to cater to a range of interests within the longboarding spectrum, from downhill, to pump tracks, to longboard dancing, ensuring that everyone finds something that resonates with their passion. This diversity in activities not only retains interest but also attracts a wider range of participants, enriching our community with varied skills and experiences.
Group photo from one of Vibe Ride’s 121 public meet-ups in 2023.
5. Maximizing Social Media Engagement
In today's digital age, social media is an indispensable tool. We use it not just to showcase our activities but to tell the stories of our members, their progress, and their love for longboarding. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have helped us reach a wider audience, drawing in skaters from all walks of life. It’s about creating content that resonates with skaters at every level, celebrating our shared passion for longboarding.
Keep in mind that effective social content doesn’t need to maximize on views. Sure, lots of views are great, but if the purpose is ultimately to get more participants at your events, consider creating content that shows the fun, approachable, and empowering experience. This type of content not only keeps our audience engaged but also helps in building a digital community that complements our physical gatherings.
6. The Joy of Skill Sharing
Our community thrives on the exchange of skills and knowledge. We organize regular workshops where more experienced riders help beginner skaters with tips and tricks. This not only helps improve skills but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Watching a new skater land their first trick and seeing the whole group cheer them on is an incredible experience that reinforces the bond within our community and solidifies an unforgettable moment of euphoria for the new skater - one that they’ll surely be stoked to share with others.
These sessions are not just about learning new tricks; they're about building confidence, encouraging perseverance, and fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to push their limits. We celebrate each other's successes and provide encouragement through challenges, creating an atmosphere where learning is fun, rewarding, and a shared journey.
7. Encouraging Active Participation and Ownership
Our Vibe Ride leadership team is all about empowering our members to take active roles in the community. Whether it’s helping to organize events, host after-skate social gatherings, or lead group rides, involving members in these roles instills a sense of ownership and responsibility. This approach has transformed our community from a group of individuals into a tight-knit family where everyone contributes to our collective success. By giving members a platform to showcase their talents and ideas, we not only diversify our activities but also foster leadership skills among our skaters. This sense of ownership and responsibility is what turns passive participants into active contributors, ensuring the sustainability and vibrancy of our community.
Vibe Ride tribe skating into the sunset led by Chloe Kourga and Ozzy.
8. Listening to Feedback and Being Flexible
Listening to our community and adapting our approach based on their feedback has been key to our evolution. We regularly gather input on what members want to see and experience, and we strive to incorporate this feedback into our activities. This flexibility has allowed us to stay relevant and keep our community engaged and excited about what we do. We’ve learned that the needs and interests of our community are always evolving. Staying attuned to these changes and trying new experiences rather than just copy and pasting the format week after week is crucial. Whether it’s introducing new styles of events, adjusting the frequency of meetups, or adopting new communication channels, our willingness to evolve has been essential in keeping our community ahead of the curve.
Conclusion
Building a thriving community is a journey filled with learning, sharing, and growing together. It's about creating a space where every member feels valued and connected. These strategies have been the foundation for the success of Beyond the Board, and I'm hopeful they'll inspire you in your efforts to build and nurture your own community. Remember, every participant has something unique to contribute, and it’s this diversity that makes our community so vibrant and dynamic. Keep pushing, keep sharing, and let's roll towards building stronger, more connected longboarding communities worldwide! 🌍🛹💫
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