From Community Member to Leader: Neval Dalgic's Inspiring Rise in the World of Online Community Management
From quietly observing to actively shaping, Neval Dalgic's shared her compelling transition from a community participant to a skillful manager, providing a deep understanding of the role community managers play in connecting members with organizations and with each other.
Her professional development was significantly influenced by the mentorship she received, particularly from Ilker Akansel. His guidance highlights the importance of supportive networks and helpful suggestions in navigating the complexities of community leadership and underscores the role of collaboration in fostering professional growth.
Neval's involvement with Budizzz, a company dedicated to improving family sleep quality, illustrates her evolving role as a community manager. Starting with the development of the Budizzz Bear, a white noise-emitting teddy bear designed to help babies sleep, the community has grown into a supportive space for parents to share tips and solve common problems.
Budizzz Bear
A sleep aid for infants
A distinctive strategy of Budizzz has been its emphasis on community-led initiatives, particularly through its ambassador and advocate programs, demonstrating the effectiveness of incorporating community feedback into business decisions and reflects the growing trend of community input in guiding a brand’s strategic direction.
Additionally, Neval discussed Budizzz’s adaptation to technological advancements, including the launch of a mobile application. Her insights into managing product launches within a community context reveal the challenges and opportunities of integrating technology with community engagement.
Neval Dalgic's narrative is a blueprint for effective community management and an inspiration for those aspiring to make a meaningful impact in the realm of online communities. You can watch a replay of the entire interview below.
ABOUT NEVAL DALGIC
With over a year of professional community management experience in an IoT company, Neval Dalgic has excelled in developing ambassador programs and working closely with developers. Her career took a significant leap when she was invited by her mentor, İlker Akansel, to become the Community Lead at Budizzz. Over the past year, she has been instrumental in establishing various community initiatives, including the Advocate and Ambassador Programs, significantly enhancing community engagement and development.
Show Notes
Journey to Community Management (0:39): Neval Dalgic shares her journey from being a community member to a community manager. The discussion covers her transition, challenges faced, and the significance of community members becoming integral parts of companies and communities.
Impactful Mentorship and Community Support (12:29): Ilker Akansel’s mentorship played a pivotal role in Neval's transition to community management. Her narrative underscores the role of a supportive community manager, emphasizing the enduring impact of mentorship and community engagement on personal and professional growth.
Budizzz: Helping Families Sleep Better (16:32): Budizzz, a product founded over five years ago, aims to assist families in achieving better sleep. The product started with Budizzz Bear, a teddy bear device that incorporates white noise to aid babies' sleep. The community, composed mainly of parents, collaborates on various community programs designed to enhance skills and support one another.
Empowering Advocates and Ambassadors: A Community-Led Approach (24:32): Budizzz adopted a community-led approach, starting with the Ambassador program, selecting Ambassadors to provide valuable feedback, influence decisions on strategy, platform selection, category creation, and even product development.
Expanding Accessibility: Budizzz Community Goes Mobile (31:54): Budizz Community is taking a major leap by launching an IOS app, with an Android app in the pipeline. This exciting development enhances accessibility, bringing the community experience directly to users' phones. Neval also discusses navigating product launches within the community.
