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Plan Your Launch Content
A strong community should feel active and useful from the first time members log in. Start by identifying the goals you want the platform to support during your first year, then prepare content that reinforces those priorities.
Create a simple content calendar so your team knows what will be posted, where, and when. Once your community structure, data, and settings are in place, focus on creating enough useful content and activity that members find value as soon as they arrive.
Homepage Headlines
Use Headlines to highlight your most important and timely content. Fresh Headlines help show members that the community is active.
Prepare at least three Headlines before launch. Good sources include:
- Alumni or member spotlights
- Upcoming events
- Important organizational news
- Featured jobs or opportunities
- Useful articles or resources
Homepage Discussions
An empty discussion board can make a new community feel inactive. Ask staff, volunteers, or early adopters to start a few useful conversations before launch.
Tip: Use questions that are easy to answer and relevant to your audience rather than general prompts such as “Introduce yourself.”
Groups
Set up the groups that are most likely to generate participation. These might be based on geography, class year, profession, program, affinity, or an existing organization or chapter.
- Prioritize groups that already have a clear purpose or active audience.
- Give each group a name, description, image, and organizer.
- Invite existing leaders to help manage and promote their groups.
- Add initial members or include group invitations in your launch communications.
- Encourage group leaders to post regularly after launch.
Tip: Consider creating a private group for chapter leaders, board members, or other community leaders so they can share resources and ideas with one another.
Events
Events are one of the easiest ways to demonstrate immediate value. Whenever possible, have at least three upcoming events visible at launch. These can include in-person events, virtual programs, annual activities, or Save-the-Dates.
Before creating an event, gather:
- Title and description
- Date and time
- Location or virtual meeting information
- Event contact
- Image
- Registration or ticket information
- Pricing, capacity, or discounts if applicable
Tip: Ask other departments to share events that would also be valuable to your community.
Jobs and Opportunities
If career development is an important benefit of your community, populate the Opportunities Board before launch. Aim for at least five postings, and preferably ten or more.
- Include jobs, internships, volunteer roles, fellowships, grants, and other relevant opportunities.
- Coordinate with career services, employers, partners, and alumni.
- Encourage members to contribute opportunities themselves.
- Promote the Opportunities Board in Headlines and launch communications.
Fundraising
If fundraising is part of your strategy, coordinate with your development team before launch and make sure active campaigns are ready for members to see.
- Use a strong image and clear description for each campaign.
- Create a thoughtful thank-you message.
- Promote important campaigns through Headlines and other communications.
If you are not planning to use fundraising at launch, consider turning the feature off until you are ready.
Mentorship
If you already have a mentoring program, 360Alumni can help bring that activity into the community.
Before launch, define:
- The purpose and name of the program
- Who should participate
- The information you want mentors and mentees to provide
- Any expectations or requirements for participation
If you are starting a new mentoring program, consider building your initial member base before launching it.
Sponsors and Featured Content
The Sponsors area is customizable and can be used for more than traditional sponsorships. Possible uses include:
- Alumni or member spotlights
- Volunteer opportunities
- Business partners
- Member-owned businesses
- Merchandise or special programs
If you plan to use this area at launch, prepare several entries in advance. If not, turn it off until you have content ready.
Resources and Links
Use Resources to connect members to important information that lives outside 360Alumni, such as your main website, career resources, benefits, publications, or other services.
Keep footer links limited to only the two or three destinations members are most likely to need.
Keep the Community Active
Launch is only the beginning. The strongest communities combine staff-created content with participation from alumni, members, volunteers, and other community leaders.
Start with useful content, establish a regular posting rhythm, and gradually shift more activity to your members as engagement grows.