Face-to-Face vs. Online Communities: How COVID-19 forced the shift.
In March of 2020, the world stopped. Or at least it felt that way. COVID-19 forced the world to rethink the way we were doing basically everything. One of the major shifts was going from face-to-face communication to now communication solely online. “As the virus forces us indoors, we should be thinking of ways to invest in our digital spaces, and build robust virtual connections that can replace some of the physical proximity we’re losing, as well as mobilizing to support our real-world communities in a time of enormous need” (Roose, 2020, para. 24). There are many qualities of face-to-face communities that we can take to build strong online communities.
According to Value Prop, there are 5 major benefits of face-to-face communities. Although many of these are related to a work environment, they can also be translated to an online/virtual space.
- Easier to convince people.
Communication over text or email can often be misinterpreted or ineffective. You may not have the person’s full attention, they may glance over your written words, or possibly not see your words at all.
Swaying people to our point of view is an essential skill for business owners and leaders. And the vast majority of the time, it’s much easier to get people to see your perspective when they’re in the room with you — even if it’s a virtual room! You aren’t an email window that can just be closed and forgotten about. You can engage them, change tactics, and make your case — persuasively! (Value Prop, 2021, para. 7–8).
2. Stronger connections.
“Trust isn’t built over a text message” (Value Prop, 2021, para. 10). You create a stronger connection to someone when you can see them and hear them, even if it is through a Zoom meeting. Face-to-face interaction and socialization leads to camaraderie and a better sense of community and connection.
3. Better non-verbal understanding.
“Body language can tell you how a person is feeling — and how they’re feeling about what you’re talking about” (Value Prop, 2021, para. 13). You can tell if someone is engaged and can adjust your words, tone of voice, and personal body language based on the body language you receive. You can tell if someone is being sincere or not.
4. Quicker and more effective.
“Problem-solving is done better face-to-face” (Value Prop, 2021, para. 15). Meeting face-to-face or virtually is easier and quicker than communicating through 10 emails just to solve a minor problem. Schedule a Zoom meeting or even talking through a platform like Facebook/Instagram Live can help resolve issues and shows that you are available for your community.
5. More team participation.
“People are more engaged and more collaborative in face-to-face settings” (Value Prop, 2021, para. 18). A virtual conference call is a great way to get your audience involved and is probably the most important factor for a face-to-face and online community.
So how do we keep engagement high? Well, in face-to-face communication there are some tactics that can be mirrored in virtual communities as well. For one, we must make the members feel valued. Whether this is a simple recognition, shout-out, or full blown celebration, it makes people feel like they are being seen, heard, and that they matter. Next, is gamification. “Gamification techniques in a non-gaming environment engages workers in a fun way and teamwork always builds a sense of responsibility and cooperation” (Chatzis, 2021, para. 7). This can be in the form of polls, surveys, activities, or games. Gamification allows for interaction and again gives people a sense that their opinion matters. It also can be fun and a great way to meet others in the community. Finally, make sure that everyone feels included. This is important because everyone will feel like they belong and have an equal opportunity to contribute.
Communities are a safe space for many people so it is up to the administrators, moderators, or creators to maintain them. “Safe spaces online provide an outlet for those who feel isolated or unheard, which can positively impact a person’s mental health and overall well-being. As we continue to move into the digital era, yet away from mainstream social media platforms, more of us are turning to online communities to build valuable connections that bring meaning to our lives” (Jones, 2021, para. 31). Online communities are growing and with the status of the world right now, we need them more than ever.
References
Photo References
Body Language. (2021). [Illustration]. https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-body-language.html
Participation. (2012). [Illustration]. http://gradingeffort.weebly.com
Safe Space. (2015). [Photograph]. https://drstephenrobinson.com/2015/12/23/safe-space/
Shaking Hands. (2021, April 10). [Illustration]. https://blackvoicenews.com/2020/04/10/its-a-new-reality-but-i-really-miss-face-to-face-communication-in-real-time/
