Understanding Member Roles
A well-structured community group has a hierarchy of roles, each with distinct responsibilities and capabilities. Here are the four key roles:
1. Owner
As the highest-ranking role, an Owner holds full administrative control over the group, including the authority to mark the group as Inactive if necessary.
Note: Groups can only be marked Inactive and not Deleted.
2. Admin
Admins manage group members effectively. They can add or remove members and assign administrative privileges, thus allowing others to assist in managing the group.
3. Moderators
Moderators maintain the group's integrity. They monitor and moderate content within the group, ensuring it adheres to community guidelines and fosters a respectful environment.
4. Contributors
Contributors are the group's lifeblood, driving discussions and engaging with content. They can post discussions, add comments, and show their engagement with likes.
Understanding these roles enables effective management and moderation, ensuring each member can participate appropriately.
Inviting Members to the Group
In the near future, we have plans to introduce in-app methods for inviting members to join your group. However, currently, you can initiate the process by copying the group URL and utilizing it in email and SMS campaigns to invite your members to join the community group.
How to invite members now:
Copy the unique Group URL provided in your dashboard.
Utilize this URL in your email and SMS campaigns, encouraging your members to join the community group.
Including the group URL in your campaigns enables your members to access and join the community group easily.
Please Note: You can create Custom Values for each Group URL and drop the custom values in your email/SMS campaigns and automations. That way, if you decide to change a Group URL, you can simply update it in the Custom Values and send it again to everyone who has received it and to new entrants.
As we continue to enhance the Smartsquatch platform, we aim to introduce more streamlined and integrated ways of inviting members to join your group within the app.
Modifying Member Roles and Access Control
Admins and owners can manage the access of group members within the community. To modify the access of a member, follow these steps:
When logged in to the group, navigate to the "People" tab at the top of the page.
In the "People" tab, you can search or apply filters to locate the specific member you wish to modify.
Once you have found the member, click on the three dots icon on the right side of their profile.
Select the appropriate role or access level you want to assign to the member from the options presented.
By utilizing the "People" tab and the available options, admins and owners can easily control and adjust the access levels of group members based on their responsibilities and permissions.
Changing Member Email/Phone Visibility
Users can click on their initials on the top right to access their View or Edit Profile area. From here, they can access the Social Media tab to choose whether or not they wish their Email/Phone to be visible.
Removing Members from a Group
Admins and owners have the authority to manage group members' access, including the ability to remove them from the group. To revoke access from a member, follow these steps:
While logged in to the group, navigate to the "People" tab at the top of the page.
In the "People" tab, search or apply filters to locate the specific member you wish to remove.
Once you have identified the member, click on the three dots icon on the right side of their profile.
From the options available, select the "Remove from Group" option.
By selecting this option, you effectively remove the member's access and privileges from the group.
Migrating Members from Existing Communities
Transitioning to Smartsquatch Communities from an existing platform is a straightforward process.
Create a group within Smartsquatch Communities, ensuring the group name matches or aligns with your existing platform.
Configure the branding of the group to maintain consistency with your previous platform. This includes selecting the same custom domain and group name you have used before.
To facilitate a smooth transition, we recommended sending out welcome emails to your existing clients, notifying them about the move to Smartsquatch Communities, and inviting them to join the new group.
As a welcoming gesture to new members, pin a post in the group that provides a warm introduction and sets the expectations for their participation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I set up an automated invitation for new clients added to my CRM?
A: As of now, Smartsquatch Communities doesn't support automated invitations. However, it is a feature we want to add in the future. You can manually invite new clients by copying and sharing the group URL.
Q: I have a large list of potential members. Is there a way to invite them all at once? A: You can invite multiple members at once by sending out a mass email or SMS campaign with the group URL included. This makes it easy for them to access and join the community.
Q: Can members invite others to the group, or is this feature exclusive to admins and owners?
A: Typically, members can share the group URL with others, effectively inviting them. However, to maintain control over group membership, Admins and Owners can remove anyone they do not wish to allow in a group. Private Groups are in the timeline for later release.
Q: I sent an invitation, but the member hasn't joined yet. Can I resend the invitation? A: Absolutely. It's possible the invitation was missed, or they haven't had a chance to join yet. Simply resend the group URL to give them another opportunity to join.
Q: Can I personalize the invitation sent to potential members?
A: Invitations can be personalized within your CRM, email, or SMS platform when you share the group URL. However, the Smartsquatch Communities platform currently doesn't support the personalization of invitations within the system itself.
Q: What happens when an invited member tries to join the group?
A: When an invited member clicks on the group URL, they are directed to the group where they can request to join. They are admitted automatically upon signing up.
Q: Can I track who has accepted the invitation and joined the group?
A: Yes, within the "People" tab in your group, you can see all the members of your group, including those who have recently joined. This allows you to keep track of membership and engagement levels.