Living in an HOA community is an inherently communal experience. Yes, everyone has their own home. However, neighbors all live close to one another. Everyone has a vested interest in the community succeeding.
Engaged residents are the best residents because they are active community members. While the last few years have taken a toll on community engagement, the tips presented in this article can help your residents become more engaged in their HOA.
How to Keep Residents Engaged
The following tips will allow you to keep your residents engaged in your HOA.
1) Social media is your friend.
Today, many people connect using social media. There are many social media platforms to choose from. Each platform has its own target demographic. For example, many older people enjoy Facebook, while younger people prefer TikTok.
Make sure your community has a variety of social media pages. These will help you reach your community members. Social media can also be a great place to facilitate community connections and plan some fun activities.
2) Community events are ideal.
Events are the cornerstone of any community engagement campaign. This strategy may help as when people attend activities and events, they become more positive towards and engaged with their community.
The best community events take place in person. Parties, barbeques, concerts, and activities for children are all great ways to encourage resident participation. These events are great places for residents to create social ties in the community, which should translate into better engagement.
3) Use the internet too.
Just because in-person events are ideal does not mean you should shun the internet. In the last couple of years, with the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person events and activities have been curtailed everywhere. Many community members may still not want to risk gathering in large groups. That is where the internet can help.
There are a lot of ways to connect people online. Zoom, YouTube, and other programs bring people together digitally. Look into the software that is best for your community. For example, you may decide to upload Board meetings to YouTube. You may also host a monthly happy hour over Zoom. Get creative, and you will be amazed at the number of residents that show up.
4) Communication is key.
Finally, the best way to know how to keep your residents engaged in their HOA is to ask them. Communication is the key to any healthy community, including fostering HOA engagement.
Use email, newsletters, phone calls, and your web portal to communicate with your residents. Pay attention to questions or complaints that seem to appear often. The more your community members feel heard, the more likely they will be engaged in bettering their HOA community.
If you want more HOA engagement tips, contact D.H. Bader. We provide expert property management services to the suburban Maryland area. Our management team is reliable, knowledgeable, and proactive. Let us help you make your HOA the best it can be.