We talk a lot about creating a “sense of community” in apartment industry conversations and surveys. It’s common knowledge that building a strong, excited community that advocates for your brand has value, and we’re curious to know how you’re achieving that.
During this week’s #AptChat, we discussed what you’re doing to create community at your property and in the neighborhood where your residents live, work, and play. These are the highlights. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Is community all about events? How do you choose the events you host? How do you mix things up to appeal to more residents?
- (This one comes from @kimbean_): How do you translate “sense of community” to your online presence?
- What are some community-building ideas that you’ve seen and liked, but haven’t had a chance to try yet? Who’s doing it well?
- How do you track “community”? How do you budget for it? How do you know what’s working and how it adds to the bottom line?
Is community all about events? How do you choose the events you host? How do you mix things up to appeal to more residents?
@AptChat A2: Has 2 be abt what is best for resident base. YP’s = fun happy hour/meet ups Families = convenience (Dinners on the go) #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) June 21, 2016
@AptChat we try to appeal to a number of tastes ie. wine & cheese parties, group yoga, movie night, pizza parties (for kids) & much more!
— Corcoran Management (@CorcoranMgmt) June 21, 2016
A2: Community HAS to be more than events. It’s benches. It’s showing genuine interest. And caring about what matters to THEM. #aptchat
— Khara (@leftnwrite08) June 21, 2016
Community is led by residents, not staff. They greet each other with cupcakes here! They call, look out 4 one another. #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) June 21, 2016
@AptChat Senior LOVE to be welcoming! I post about it on FB, Tweet it and put pics in newsletter, tell Millenials etc. 2b social Old School
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) June 21, 2016
(This one comes from @kimbean_): How do you translate “sense of community” to your online presence?
@AptChat @kimbean_ lots of lifestyle photos and videos showing residents interacting are great! #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) June 21, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @AptChat @kimbean_ & so important for it to feel “welcoming” to newcomers. Joining a new group/event can be scary #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) June 21, 2016
Community building, so important, imo. If residents know each other, they’ll stay longer. But I’m not sure if that’s our world. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) June 21, 2016
@AptChat @kimbean_ And if a resident mentions that sense of community in a review, even better! 🙂 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) June 21, 2016
@AptChat @kimbean_ In student, sometimes we do. We’ve even had ppl mention our snapchat account in reviews! they appreciate it #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) June 21, 2016
A3: Keeping an open dialogue between residents and staff, communicating events and community updates. #AptChat
— Ashley Olson (@ashleylynnolson) June 21, 2016
@AptChat yes, posting to FB, emailing residents, surveys. Asking questions on FB. Encouraging interaction #AptChat
— Ashley Olson (@ashleylynnolson) June 21, 2016
A3: Residents want to know things. Keep the community in the know online (newsletters, SM posting, etc.). #aptchat
— Khara (@leftnwrite08) June 21, 2016
A3b: It’s also letting them know, publicly (online), “We’ve heard you.” Post the change you made based on their feedback! #aptchat
— Khara (@leftnwrite08) June 21, 2016
What are some community-building ideas that you’ve seen and liked, but haven’t had a chance to try yet? Who’s doing it well?
Does anyone have a “welcome committee” or ambassador – in charge of personally welcoming & greeting new residents? #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) June 21, 2016
Oooh, now this sounds cool! https://t.co/xvYfpDjyC6
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) June 21, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy This, for us, is our CARES team. They do Welcome Visits soon after move-in. #aptchat
— Khara (@leftnwrite08) June 21, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy Every property has a “Mayor” lol! #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) June 21, 2016
A4: We have 400 communities so it’s hard to think of something that hasn’t been done yet. #AptChat maybe gardening classes…
— Ashley Olson (@ashleylynnolson) June 21, 2016
@AptChat we have an intranet but no slack yet. I do love that idea though. #AptChat
— Ashley Olson (@ashleylynnolson) June 21, 2016
@AptChat Communities that are located close to each other have had block parties and movie nights together.
— 8Wonders Flagstaff (@FlagstaffApts) June 21, 2016
@ashleylynnolson We’ve thrown around the idea of regional service events, but nothing has taken off yet. #aptchat
— KAMo (@kimbean_) June 21, 2016
@kimbean_ @ashleylynnolson @village_green does a great job w/this! Great involvement from employees+residents w/svc opportunities #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) June 21, 2016
How do you track “community”? How do you budget for it? How do you know what’s working and how it adds to the bottom line?
@AptChat I’m interested in what marketing data tools/dashboards people are using and KPI’s they are watching the closest. #AptChat
— Ashley Olson (@ashleylynnolson) June 21, 2016
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern, and we’ll be discussing marketing tools that don’t break the bank. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!
