Start conversations, challenges & polls
How to start conversations, challenges & polls to engage your members
Keeping your community engaged doesn’t always require big events or complex campaigns. Sometimes, the simplest way to spark activity is by starting a conversation. Whether it’s a casual question, a fun challenge or a quick poll, these lighter touch activities can energise your members and invite them to connect more deeply with the platform and each other.
1. Start a conversation
- Ask open-ended questions (“What’s one thing…?”, “How do you feel about…?”)
- Keep it brief and relatable
- Follow up with replies and likes to keep the momentum going
Example conversation starters:
- “What’s the best community event you’ve been to recently?”
- “If you had a spare hour each week, how would you use it to help your neighbourhood?”
- “What do you think we need more of in our local area?”
2. Post a challenge question
Challenge questions invite your members to contribute ideas or solutions to a shared community goal. They’re a great way to crowdsource insights and get members thinking together.
Tips:
- Frame the challenge around a real opportunity or need
- Keep the language clear and open-ended
- Encourage a range of responses—from quick comments to more detailed suggestions
Example challenge questions:
- “What’s one small change we could make to improve our community space?”
- “How could we make our events more welcoming for new members?”
- “What activity would you love to see on the platform that isn’t there yet?”
These challenge questions can be open for a week or two, and you can spotlight some of the best or most popular answers in a follow-up message to keep the momentum going.
3. Create a poll
Polls are perfect for quick input or light-hearted engagement. They’re great for gathering feedback, understanding member preferences or just having fun.
Tips:
- Limit polls to 2–4 options for simplicity
- Keep the language neutral and clear
- Share results afterwards to show people their votes count
Example poll ideas:
- “Which day would you prefer for a community meet-up?”
- “What new feature would you like to see next on the platform?”
- “Which local group should we spotlight next?”
4. Promote your posts
Don't forget to promote your conversation, challenge or poll through:
- Platform messages
- Targeted messages to relevant members
- Social media posts or email newsletters