Eleanor Whitney of Dev Bootcamp NYC talks how to build a safe, nurturing environment for your community the moment they walk in the literal or proverbial door.

1. Creating a Welcoming
Community Environment
Eleanor Whitney
Community Marketing Manager, Dev Bootcamp NYC
@killerfemme
#cmxsummit

2. Hi. I’m Eleanor.
Former museum educator.
Current community manager.

3. A good museum visit
demonstrates how to
onboard community
members.
@killerfemme

4. Everything I know
about community
management I learned
working at a museum.
@killerfemme

5. This is the Brooklyn Museum where I worked for 5 years.
@killerfemme

6. This is Dev Bootcamp where I am a Community Marketing Manager (and it’s Halloween).
@killerfemme

7. Museums are vibrant learning communities
At the Brooklyn Museum we:
• Served diverse audience members
• Taught 400 + students on weekdays
• Engaged 200 + families on weekends
• Attracted over 10,000 visitors monthly
for free First Saturdays
@killerfemme

8. Museums are spaces that foster vibrant,
diverse learning communities.
@killerfemme

9. Effective design is welcoming.
It makes your visitors feel comfortable.
Museums:
• Wayfinding signs
• Take care of needs
• Accessible
• Logical layout
Communities:
• Clear navigation
• Prominent calls to action
• Logical next steps
@killerfemme

10. How do you make new
and returning community
members feel welcome?
@killerfemme

11. Clear guidelines set visitors up for success
Museums:
• Rules
• What you can do?
Communities:
• Code of conduct
• Rules for interaction
@killerfemme

12. How do communicate
your community
guidelines?
@killerfemme

13. Model behavior and participation
Museums
• Guides
• Self-guided learning
• Online info and apps
Communities
• Community managers
• Highlight model behavior
• Reward leading community
members
@killerfemme

14. How do you model
behavior in your
community?
@killerfemme

15. Clear paths of entry and levels of engagement
Museums
• Casual visitor
• Tour, class, or event
• Membership
• Extended courses
• Online community
Communities
• Customers
• Members that interact
• Community ambassadors
• “Super users”
@killerfemme

16. How do you inspire
community members
to engage?
@killerfemme

17. Vibrant communities:
• Clear direction builds comfort
• Guidelines set members up for success
• Demonstrate and highlight “model” participation
• Create awesome content
• Inspire engagement
• Provide multiple entry points for involvement
@killerfemme

18. Thank you!
Eleanor Whitney
@killerfemme
eleanor@devbootcamp.com