Because a Community CAN Stick Together!

In today’s world of thriving technology, it’s hard to peel a cell phone out of someone’s fingers. It’s even harder to get them logged out of their preferred social media platform. With over 2.3 billion active social media users around the world, it can be hard to find others wanting to spend time in person. The scenario presents a catch-22: being social without actually being social. This can prove to be a problem in multifamily communities, where residents can be shy living amongst strangers. Luckily, we have a few tips that can help residents meet new friends within the community. Think about it: it will be hard to move out if all their friends live next door!

• Community Layout – A building’s architecture can’t change, but certain features can. Does the game room have a billiard table? Can residents get coffee on site, and if so, is it in a high foot traffic area? When strategically placed, these examples can turn into social beacons for residents. These small changes can have a huge impact; common interests are the key to a fruitful friendship.

• On-Site Events – Want to get your community together in the same place? You may want to consider throwing a monthly event. No, not the hotdog and hamburger socials we’ve had since middle school. Think something upscale like a mixer. You can turn things up a notch with cocktails and formal attire (age restrictions apply). If the property can accommodate, maybe community movie nights during the summer would be a good fit. You may even have a small theater already on site; use it to your advantage.

• Social Media – We know what you’re thinking, but let us explain. Social media (social media monitoring in particular) can be a great way to engage in conversations with residents. Get in on the conversations your residents and market are having. You can even use social media to rally residents together to discuss upcoming developments. What can be better? What can make your lives easier? These are great questions to ask residents and they’ll feel appreciated. They’ll even come together with feedback, which is what every successful community needs. Focus your efforts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Since the release of Instagram’s video feature, Vine has started to become barren.

Making your community more social doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a bit of creativity and initiative to transform our community into a bunch of socialites.  They just need someone to lead the charge for them. By creating an environment where social interaction takes place, happy residents will have a hard time leaving the friends they’ve made. It’s unpredictable where one will meet a new friend, but you can make a few educated guesses on where it can happen!