Presenters

Source

Beyond the Bake-Off: Crafting Thriving Open Source Communities 🚀

Ever dreamt of building a bustling, engaged open source community? It might sound like a daunting task, but what if we told you the secret sauce is surprisingly similar to what goes into a perfect Victoria sponge? Helen Wuesty from the Open Source Technology Improvement Fund (OSTIF) shared some brilliant insights at a recent tech conference, drawing a delightful parallel to the beloved Great British Bake Off. Her “recipe” is all about moving beyond just existing to actively cultivating advocates and fostering deep, meaningful engagement.

While a baking recipe is pretty set in stone, community building, as Helen wisely pointed out, demands customization. The core principle? Create something so unique and compelling that it naturally draws people in. So, the first crucial question to ask yourself is: “What will make your community different from existing ones?” 💡

Let’s break down Helen’s actionable “bake-off” approach to building your very own open source success story:

1. Planning Your Bake: The “Why” and the “Who” 📋

Before you even think about preheating the oven, you need a solid plan. This means:

  • Identify Your “Why”: What’s the driving purpose behind your community? Understanding this will be your guiding star.
  • Reach Out Early: Don’t go it alone! Connect with existing cohorts, potential collaborators, and users to gauge initial interest. Sustainability is built on shared effort from the very beginning.

2. Working Backwards from Your Goal: Defining the Destination 🎯

Once you know your “why,” it’s time to map out the journey.

  • Define Your Mission: What exactly do you want your community to achieve? Whether it’s boosting code contributions, fostering lively discussions, or expanding communication channels, having a clear objective is paramount.
  • Chart the Path: Meticulously plan the steps needed to reach that destination. Every action should contribute to your overarching goal.

3. Centralizing Around Data and Content: More Than Just a Social Gathering 📊

Communities thrive on more than just good company; they need tangible value.

  • Offer Unique Value: Provide automated, repeatable, or novel and interesting content and data that participants can’t easily find elsewhere. This transforms your community from a casual meet-up into an indispensable resource.

4. Be Annoying (In a Good Way!): Proactive Engagement is Key 📣

You can’t build a community by waiting for people to show up. You need to be the community and actively draw people in.

  • Proactive Outreach: This means engaging through social media campaigns, targeted email efforts, and any other channels that resonate with your potential members.
  • Be Present: Helen’s advice? You have to be the community to build it.

5. Generating Content Strategically: Automate for Impact 🤖

While the idea of weekly blog posts might sound great, it can quickly become overwhelming.

  • Automate Where Possible: Identify repeatable workflows or unique community elements that can be automated. This frees up precious time for the essential work of community building.

6. Connecting People to Each Other: The Power of Relationships ❤️

The real magic of community lies in the connections forged between its members.

  • Facilitate Relationships: As a community builder, your role is to be the bridge. Actively help people connect with one another, fostering natural collaborations and friendships.

7. Encouraging and Empowering: Building Future Leaders 💪

The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem.

  • Foster Redundancy: Empower others by handing off roles and responsibilities. This creates opportunities for new leaders to emerge, ensuring the community’s continued growth and resilience.
  • Equip the Next Generation: Ensure that new participants, regardless of age or background, are well-equipped and capable of taking on leadership roles. Smooth transitions are key!

8. Embracing Failure as Feedback: The Iterative Process of Growth 🌱

The fear of no one showing up is a real challenge, but failure is an integral part of the process.

  • Learn from Setbacks: Treat every “failure” as a valuable data point. Understand what works and what doesn’t, and adapt your approach accordingly.
  • Keep Trying: Giving up means denying others the opportunity to connect and contribute. Consistent presence and a willingness to adapt are crucial for attracting and retaining a following.

Helen also shared two invaluable resources for any aspiring community builder: Smart Brevity for honing your PR writing skills and the Community Toolbox from the University of Kansas, which she described as an indispensable, step-by-step guide.

Her personal journey with OSTIF’s security community, despite its inherent challenges and admitted failures, has been overwhelmingly positive. She’s incredibly excited for its future and encourages everyone to embrace this proactive, iterative approach. The overarching message is one of empowerment and possibility: “I can and I will.” So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to start baking your own thriving open source community! 🛠️✨

Appendix