So you’ve launched your online community. You’re showing up, posting valuable content, sharing your best tips… and still, nothing. No replies. No comments. Maybe the occasional emoji reaction if you’re lucky.
Sound familiar?
This quiet phase happens to almost every membership business owner or online course creator. Don’t lose heart. This is simply part of the process of building a thriving online community.
In this guide, we’ll explain what’s going on behind the scenes when your online tribe seems silent and what you can do to gently encourage community engagement without burning yourself out.
The Quiet Phase During Community Building Is Normal
Just like at a party, most people don’t rush to share their personal lives with people they’ve only just met. They observe and try to understand the vibe of the situation.
The same goes for your online members. This is known as lurking, and it’s completely normal.
We’ve condensed this post into a YouTube video. If you prefer to watch instead of read, check out our video below:
What’s Happening Behind the Silence In Your Online Community?
Even when your posts get no visible replies, your members are often:
- 👀 Watching how you show up: Are you consistent? Do you respond to comments?
- 🤝 Sensing the tone: Is this a place where they’ll be welcomed, or judged?
- 🔐 Evaluating trust: Does this space feel safe and meaningful?
Research from Google’s Project Aristotle shows that the top factor influencing participation in any group (online or offline) is psychological safety. They must believe they won’t be criticised, ignored, or embarrassed for contributing.
Feeling safe is an important element of an engaged community. Start cultivating psychological safety by showing up regularly, being transparent, and encouraging respectful participation.
Build a Rhythm (So People Know What to Expect)
You don’t need to post every day or overload members with noise. What you do need is a gentle, predictable rhythm, one that makes members feel a sense of belonging.
Posting with good intentions is a great start, but it often misses the mark. You’ll get better results if you’re strategic and align your rhythm with your audience’s journey and business goals.
Here’s how:
1. Pin a “What to Expect” Post
Let people know the weekly rhythm upfront. Pin a simple message like:
“Here’s what to expect each week:
Mondays = Wins | Wednesdays = Wisdom | Fridays = Fun”
This helps remove uncertainty and reduces the mental load of figuring out when or how to participate. When people know what’s coming and when, they’re more likely to engage because it feels familiar.
In short, clarity and familiarity create comfort. And when people feel comfortable, they’re far more likely to show up and engage.
2. Use @ Mentions with Intention
Gently tag members in relevant posts to create meaningful touchpoints. For example:
“Hey [Name], curious if this tip helped you out?”
Start with people you know personally in your group, those you’ve already had conversations with, or who’ve shown interest in the topic.
Intentional callouts help others see real people engaging. That makes them more likely to jump in, too.
Tip: Avoid tagging everyone in a single post just for visibility. It often feels forced. Remember to keep it personal so it becomes a gentle invitation, not a demand.
3. Post a Weekly Recap
Each Monday, share a short highlight reel:
- Mention a helpful member comment (even if it came in privately)
- Re-share your most useful tip
- Preview what’s coming next
This shows that things are happening even if quietly, and helps others catch up.
Use Social Proof to Gently Engage Your Online Community
One of the most underrated engagement strategies is social proof. It’s a fact that people are more likely to join in when they see others doing it.
According to behavioural psychology, seeing others participate first reduces the fear of being
Behavioural psychology suggests that people are more likely to join in once they see someone else take the first step. It’s a common feeling, like being in a group chat where you hesitate to speak up because you’re unsure how it’ll be received.
Here are a few ideas you can use to introduce social proof and encourage participation:
- Invite friends to comment
- 💬 Reply to your own post
- 📣 Highlight community voices
These simple actions create a sense of community without putting pressure on new members. Sometimes, seeing that someone else has gone first is all it takes to help others feel safe enough to join the conversation.
Track the Quiet Wins (Because They Matter)
Engagement isn’t just about comments, replies, or emoji reactions. Sometimes the most important signals are the ones you can’t see at first glance.
Keep an eye on these quiet metrics in your community:
✅ Post views
✅ Clicks on links you’ve shared in announcements
✅ Visits to event pages or resource sections
✅ Opens your community update emails
These small actions build connections and show your members are paying attention. They’re reading your posts, clicking through, and checking things out. They just might not be ready to speak up yet.
Keep building on what’s getting attention. Post a follow-up with a light question to inspire real connection:
“I noticed a bunch of you checked out the new resource. I’d love to know what stood out for you!”
We all need a reason to celebrate small wins from time to time. It boosts our motivation and reminds us that progress is happening. For more inspiration and practical ideas to celebrate small victories, check out our article “Small Wins Matter: 5 Ways to Celebrate Small Victories.”
Tip:
Boost engagement and keep the energy going. Ask your audience what’s hitting the mark and what types of content grab their attention.
Final Thoughts: Quiet Doesn’t Mean Your Online Community is Failing
You don’t need to go viral or rack up dozens of comments to build relationships online. What makes the difference is showing up consistently within the community.
Be present and steady. Help your audience settle into a clear rhythm, both in content type and timing, so they know what to expect.
If your community feels a bit disconnected right now, keep going. People are watching, and that’s a good thing. Encourage more members to engage by using social proof that shows others are already tuning in.
Most importantly, connect with genuine curiosity. Show interest in their experience by asking thoughtful questions such as:
- What first sparked your interest in [the topic or niche]?
- Is there anything from the content shared that stood out to you?
- What specific challenge in your [niche/topic] would you like our community to help you explore or solve?
Looking for a platform to build an online community? Create a secure and thriving space where you can shape the experience your way.
