Beyond the Broadcast: Community Building for Public Media

How do organizations actually generate revenue from communities they've built? At our May virtual meetup, Areej AbuAli, author of Community Building for Marketers and the founder of Women in Tech SEO, a global community in marketing and tech, will share successful strategies. Founded in 2019, Women in Tech SEO has over 10,000 global members and 50,000 followers who connect through online groups and in-person conferences in the UK, Europe and USA. Based in the UK, Areej AbuAli is an international speaker, a Google Women Techmaker ambassador, and a UN Women UK delegate.

Building a community of creatives is a natural fit for public media stations, whether it’s local visual artists, musicians, or performers. But what does it take to successfully manage a community of artists? Vi Andrews, Community Lead at Ideas United, oversees a global network of creators dedicated to driving positive social impact. They join Community Building Consultant Seth Resler to share insights from their experience fostering community in the film and media industries.

While the job title of "Community Manager" is common in some industries, such as the video game or software-as-a-service industries, it's a foreign concept for most public media outlets. What exactly does a Community Manager do? Max Pete, a Community Engagement Manager at Square, talks to Seth Resler about what he does and what this position might look at a public media station.

Public radio stations serve audiences with diverse interests. So, what should your station consider when building communities for its listeners? Our Community Building Consultant, Seth Resler, offers the key factors to keep in mind as you start this journey.

Over the past 50 years, American participation in clubs and civic organizations has plummeted. Harvard Professor Robert Putnam’s landmark book, Bowling Alone, and the documentary Join or Die explore how this decline has profoundly impacted mental health and democracy in the U.S. In this episode, Seth Resler of Paragon dives into these pressing issues. He interviews Professor Putnam and leads a roundtable discussion featuring: * Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, public health expert * Carrie Melissa Jones, community strategist * Mike Henry, public radio consultant * Rebecca Davis, co-director and co-producer of Join or Die Together, they examine the state of community in America and explore how public media broadcasters can play a pivotal role in revitalizing it.