5 Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder as a Community Manager in 2025

There's No Reward for Overworked Community Manager of the Year

Being a community manager in 2025 comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As the ecosystem grows more complex, the role of a community manager has become a blend of strategist, data analyst, event planner, and empathetic connector. But here’s the catch: burning yourself out trying to do it all won’t lead to success. There’s no prize for being the most overworked community manager—but there are huge rewards for working smarter.

Here are five actionable strategies I'm implementing without overloading my to-do list:

1. Set Clear, Impactful Goals

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re juggling dozens of tasks, but not every task contributes to your community’s success. Focus on setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that align with your company’s broader objectives.

Why this works: Clear goals help you prioritize what truly matters and say "no" to distractions. They also provide measurable outcomes to showcase your achievements.

Pro tip: Define and track your goals. For example, instead of aiming to "increase community engagement," set a goal to "increase active monthly members by 15% within Q2."

Resource: Check out the Talkbase e-book on Setting the Right Goals for Your Community for a comprehensive guide.

2. Set Regular Check-ins with Teams

Collaboration is key, but it doesn’t happen by accident. Schedule regular check-ins with the teams you need to work with, such as marketing, product, and customer success. These meetings ensure alignment, identify shared goals, and uncover new opportunities for collaboration.

Why this works: Regular communication fosters trust, reduces misunderstandings and keeps projects moving smoothly. It also ensures that everyone stays updated on how the community supports broader company objectives.

Pro tip: Use tools like Slack or shared project management platforms to schedule and track these check-ins. Keep them focused and action-oriented by setting a clear agenda beforehand.

Resource: Have a listen to our recent live conversation with the community team at Zapier and how they successfully collaborate across the org.

3. Follow the Right Metrics for Your Community

Metrics matter, but tracking the right ones is essential. Use the right data correctly to measure the impact of your community efforts, from marketing collaboration to product influence, at every stage of your community journey.

Why this works: Following the right metrics allows you to demonstrate the value of your community and make data-driven decisions that align with organizational goals.

Pro tip: Grab a copy of the "Community Cross-Collaboration Metrics 2024" PDF guide. This resource walks you through key metrics to track, from marketing collaboration to product influence, helping you optimize your strategy.

4. Invest Time Weekly for 1:1 Connections

Relationships are the foundation of thriving communities. Dedicate time each week to connect with members of your community or other community builders. These sessions can be used to gather feedback, provide support, or simply network and exchange ideas.

Why this works: Building personal connections fosters trust and loyalty within your community while also creating opportunities to learn from peers in the industry. It’s a way to support others while receiving valuable insights in return.

Pro tip: Use a free scheduling tool like Calendly or Lemcal to block out a few hours weekly for these 1:1s. Whether it’s a casual coffee chat or a structured feedback session, these conversations can strengthen relationships and drive meaningful engagement. Here's my Lemcal page as an example!

5. Get Everyone in Your Organization Hyped About Community

Your community’s success isn’t just your responsibility—it’s a team effort. Kick off the year with a community roadshow to showcase the value of your work and align your organization around community goals. Use this opportunity to inspire other teams, share wins, and gather their support for upcoming initiatives.

Why this works: A community roadshow builds excitement, fosters collaboration, and helps everyone understand how they can contribute to the community’s success. It creates a sense of shared purpose across your organization.

Pro tip: Not sure where to start? Download the Talkbase e-book and free Community Roadshow Deck Template to plan and execute a memorable roadshow that drives impact.

Smarter, Not Harder

Community management in 2025 is about leveraging your resources, setting boundaries, and staying connected to the heart of your community.

So, here’s to leaving the overworked Community Manager of the Year title behind and embracing a more balanced, impactful approach! 💪

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