Community building. It's an exciting journey, but one that requires patience and perseverance. Think of it not as a sprint, where instant results are the goal, but as a marathon that demands endurance and strategic pacing. Let’s explore why this mindset is crucial for...
Community Management
Expert Community Management resources for professionals. Explore the history, strategies, and practical guides to building online communities from a 25-year industry veteran.

Introducing Community Pros
I'm excited to introduce Community Pros, a groundbreaking platform I've founded, aimed at connecting individuals and organizations with verified community and social media experts. Today, fostering authentic relationships is more important than ever, and I've...
Minimum Viable Guide to Launching a Community
Please note that this is a very simplified outline, but it can lead to a successful community. For a far more in depth guide please check out The Ultimate Checklist for Launching a Community . First and foremost.... Don’t start a community without some type of initial...
A Guide for New Reddit Moderators
Whether you've created a new subreddit or joined an existing mod team, this role comes with exciting opportunities and responsibilities. This guide will walk you through essential tips and best practices to help you succeed as a Reddit moderator. 1. Use Desktop for...
Ultimate Bookshelf for Community Professionals
Updated: Nov. 5, 2025 Community Management is both an art and a science, requiring a blend of strategic thinking, empathy, and practical tools. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, the right books can be your greatest allies. Here’s a...
Strategies to Boost Engagement and Activity
Reinvigorating Your Online Community When an online community begins to show signs of slowing down, it can be a concerning moment for community managers and members alike. A vibrant community is the lifeblood of engagement, providing a space for members to share,...
Your Host
Meet David DeWald
David DeWald is a pioneering online community professional with over 25 years of experience building, managing, and evolving digital communities of all sizes—some reaching millions of members. Since the late 1990s, he has partnered with diverse organizations and businesses to establish impactful online presences that foster engagement and growth. David is widely respected among his peers for his deep expertise in community strategy, engagement, moderation, and advocacy development. Beyond managing communities, he actively contributes to the industry through thought leadership, including public speaking, and blogging, sharing actionable insights to elevate the practice of Community Management globally.

Community Professional at Ciena
Meet Tim McDonald
Tim has worked with No Kid Hungry, Cinnabon, and Carvel Ice Cream where he lead the overall marketing vision, strategy and execution of social media activations, including blogger programs and influencer relationships. In the two years working directly on the No Kid Hungry campaign, Giving Tuesday fundraising increased from $56,000 to over $249,000 in 2015.
Previously the Director of Community for The Huffington Post, where he set strategy and oversaw a team of moderators, support and standards for the leading online news site with over 300 million comments and 70,000 bloggers. Prior to this position, Tim built and managed a community for Huffington Post's live streaming network, HuffPost Live, resulting in over 9,600 guests from more than 85 countries have joining live on-air and over 1.3 million comments on the platform.









