In an increasingly virtual world, digital communities give us the chance to learn, connect and find support. For creative freelancers and remote workers, that sense of community can be essential to productivity, well-being and creativity itself.
And as a creative business, starting your own virtual community is an excellent way to market your brand, source insights and feedback and foster real relationships with prospective clients/customers.
Whatever your motivations for starting an online creative community, where you choose to host it will be key to its success. There are an array of platforms for hosting digital communities available, so we've rounded up the best digital forums built with creatives in mind.
Take a browse and see which is right for you and your future creative community!
Geneva
Geneva is a company that loves good company. Think of Geneva as a Gen-Z alternative to Slack, a similar interface with some extra perks to keep a new generation of creatives engaged!
Geneva is equipped with all the building blocks you need to start a thriving community. You can start accessible async conversations in chat rooms, gather insights with polls and encourage networking and collaboration with live audio/video calls and events.
Try out Geneva.
Discord
Whether it's for gaming, work, school, or art communities, Discord is an online haven for those who want to hang out without having to leave the comforts of their home.
Discord supports all kinds of media, so your community can communicate in a way that feels most authentic to them—with music, live streams and screen sharing you are sure to foster meaningful community connections.
Start connecting on Discord.
Groove
It's great to chat, but a community can be a source of motivation too!
Groove is a digital coworking space for freelancers or remote workers who want to connect with fellow creatives whilst they work. Use Groove to connect your community and foster relationships that have a lasting impact!
Get in the Groove with your community.
Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks exists to empower creatives to build and own their own communities, away from the "uncertainty and clutter of social media". With a Mighty Network, you can bring your courses, memberships, and offers together in a powerful community under your own brand on iOS, Android, and the web.
Build your own Mighty Network.
Slack
Anyone who has worked in the corporate world in the last 5 years is likely familiar with Slack, but Slack has OOO potential too!
Use Slack to build a creative community with distinct rooms and integrated tools to facilitate conversations. And the best part, lots of community members will already have an account!
Get chatting in Slack.
Discourse
Discourse is a 100% open-source platform designed to be used as a discussion forum, chat room, mailing list and more! There are no complex controls, and everything is right where you want it with custom preferences.
Discourse is committed to creating a simple platform for all types of communities, so your creative community will feel instantly at home!
Host your dream community on Discourse.
Visualist is a software supporting creatives to work, earn and scale. Want to learn more? Head to our website.