Ibi Fiberesima is the community manager at Gruve Tickets, an innovative event management startup located in the heart of Abuja. In her role, Ibi thrives on connecting with people and fostering a vibrant community around Gruve Tickets’ services. Her passion for her work is evident in the energy and dedication she brings to her daily tasks, ensuring that both event organizers and attendees have seamless experiences.
In addition to her responsibilities at Gruve Tickets, Ibi has established herself as a respected figure in the tech community. She has moderated various tech events, showcasing her ability to facilitate engaging and productive discussions. Her expertise and dynamic presence have also made her a sought-after speaker at numerous tech conferences and events. Through her work, Ibi not only contributes to the success of Gruve Tickets but also actively participates in the growth and development of the tech ecosystem in Abuja and beyond. Her commitment to her role and the broader tech community highlights her as a key player in the industry.
Can we get to know you?
Thank you for having me. My name is Ibi Fiberesima, but I prefer to be called Fibi.
I’m a Community Marketing Pro, essentially a cheerleader for online communities. I love exploring what makes them thrive and sharing those winning strategies with the world.
Outside of work, I’m a big fan of baking and teaching, both of which surprisingly connect to my professional life. You could say I bring a spoonful of sweetness (and strategy!) to everything I do.
Where do you work at the moment?
I’m currently working at a startup called Gruve Tickets, a blockchain ticketing company focused on simplifying event ticketing for everyone.
Imagine “easy event creation and ticketing” enhanced by the power of blockchain for added security and transparency! At Gruve Tickets, community is king. We’re creating a platform that connects event organizers directly with attendees, fostering a more vibrant experience for both sides.
Can you tell us about your journey in tech community management? What initially drew you to this field?
My journey with community building actually began in 2018, when I was launching my baking business. While I didn’t know the term “community management” at the time, I was essentially building one through a series called “Cake’edu Monday.” This initiative organically attracted a lot of members, It was incredibly rewarding to see this community grow from the ground up – we went from 0 to 20,000 members in 4 years! While the community is currently on pause for some revamping, I’m excited to relaunch it later this year.
in August of 2022, I transitioned into the tech world, initially starting as a product designer. But during that time, I discovered the fascinating world of tech community management, and realized my community-building skills were a perfect fit. Leveraging my experience from growing my own successful baking community, I landed my first official community management role last year with Gruve Tickets.
I’m driven by the power of communities to connect people, share knowledge, and foster growth. Seeing my baking community thrive and the positive impact it had on members truly fueled my passion for this field. Now, I’m excited to bring those same skills and enthusiasm to the tech industry.
Did you have any role models or mentors who influenced your career path?
Definitely! Throughout my career journey, I’ve been fortunate to have a few key individuals who have significantly influenced my path. Ada Oyom and Amarachi Johnson Ubah provided me with invaluable resources for getting started in the tech space as a community manager. Additionally, Isaac Zara has consistently challenged me to think outside the box and instilled a strong work ethic, emphasizing the importance of delivering excellent results at all times.
Beyond individual mentors, I find the online tech community incredibly inspiring. There are so many talented individuals sharing knowledge and collaborating on projects, which keeps me motivated to continuously learn and grow.
Can you tell me a bit about your educational background and any relevant certifications you’ve obtained so far?
My formal education is in Biomedical Technology from the University of Port Harcourt. While it may not directly relate to my current focus, it instilled in me strong analytical and research skills, which are valuable assets in any field.
Last year, I completed the “Community for Business” course offered by Meta, which provided a solid foundation in building communities that drive business outcomes.
Beyond formal certifications, I am a firm believer in continuous learning. I stay up-to-date on industry trends by subscribing to relevant newsletters, following thought leaders on Twitter, and exploring informative YouTube channels. This approach allows me to stay relevant and adaptable in the ever-evolving world of community management.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a tech community manager? What did you learn from those experiences?
One issue I faced initially when I started was navigating the vast landscape of tools and resources. I learned the power of persistence and a willingness to learn. Through ongoing research and asking questions within the community management community itself, I was able to overcome that challenge.
Currently, one of the biggest challenges I face is clearly demonstrating the value of community engagement to stakeholders. They might not always see the direct ROI, making it difficult to secure resources or justify initiatives.
To address this, I’m actively collecting positive testimonials and success stories from community members to showcase the tangible impact our community has.
What does a typical day look like for you as a Tech Community Manager?
Here’s a glimpse of what a typical day looks like for me:
I start by checking emails, responding to urgent messages from the community (gotta keep those conversations flowing!), and reviewing any overnight activity. Next, I might brainstorm ideas for a new blog post, script a fun video announcement, or collaborate with the design team to develop engaging social media content.
Throughout the day, I’m constantly scanning discussions, answering member questions, fostering connections, and sometimes hosting a live Q&A session to keep things interactive. Every day also involves dedicating some time to learning about new trends or tools to keep my community management skills sharp.
What are some of the emerging trends you see shaping the future of community management?
One very significant trend I see is the rise of AI in community management. AI can be utilized to automate routine tasks, such as moderating discussions, responding to common queries, and managing content schedules. Additionally, AI can personalize the community experience by analyzing member behavior and preferences, allowing for more tailored content and interactions. This not only enhances user satisfaction but also frees up valuable time for community managers, enabling them to focus on more strategic initiatives and deeper member engagement.
However, despite the many advantages of AI, the human touch remains crucial in community management. Building genuine relationships, understanding nuanced member needs, and fostering a sense of belonging are aspects that AI cannot fully replicate. The emotional intelligence and empathy that community managers bring to their roles are irreplaceable.
So, while AI is a powerful tool that can enhance efficiency and personalization, I am not worried about it taking my job away 🙂. Instead, I see it as a valuable ally that helps me concentrate on the aspects of my work that require a personal touch and strategic thinking.
Why are strong tech communities so valuable for businesses,
developers, and individuals?
For me, it’s a win-win situation where everyone learns, grows, and gains something valuable from the shared space. Communities thrive on the collective contributions and interactions of their members, creating an environment where knowledge is exchanged, support is readily available, and meaningful connections are forged.
In a well-managed community, individuals not only find solutions to their problems but also discover new perspectives and insights that enrich their understanding. The sense of camaraderie and belonging that develops within a community fosters personal and professional growth for everyone involved. Members are encouraged to share their experiences, offer advice, and collaborate on projects, leading to a dynamic and ever-evolving space where innovation and learning flourish.
This collaborative atmosphere is the cornerstone of why communities exist. They provide a platform for individuals to come together, pool their resources, and collectively advance towards common goals. It’s about creating a supportive network where every member can contribute their unique strengths and benefit from the collective wisdom and experience of the group.
What do you love most about your job and What has been the most rewarding part of your career as a Tech Community Manager?
What I love most about my job is interacting with a diverse set of people in a way that adds value to their lives. I also enjoy designing community-driven initiatives.
Speaking of impact, the most rewarding experience I’ve had so far was designing and executing a community program for Gnome Africa, an open-source community. This program helped two talented developers secure spots in the Google Summer of Code with Gnome! Witnessing their success and knowing I played a part in their journey was incredibly fulfilling.
How do you define the success of a tech community, and what metrics do you use to measure it?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to measuring the success of a community, as it all depends on the specific objectives the community is striving to achieve. However, a useful framework for understanding the various areas where community can drive value for your organization is the CMX SPACES MODEL.
This model outlines six key areas where communities can have a significant impact:
- Support: How effectively does the community provide assistance and solutions to its members’ questions and challenges?
- Product: How does the community contribute to product development and improvement through feedback, ideas, and testing?
- Acquisition: How successful is the community in attracting new users or customers to your organization?
- Conversion: How many community members convert into paying users or customers, and what role does the community play in this process?
- Engagement: How engaged are community members with each other and with your organization’s content and initiatives?
- Success: How does the community contribute to the overall success and growth of your organization, both quantitatively and qualitatively?
For example, if user acquisition is a primary goal, we would focus on metrics that demonstrate the community’s effectiveness in attracting new users. Some specific metrics we might track include:
- The number of new users joining the community over time.
- Conversion rates of community members into paying users or customers.
- Brand perception and product sentiment among community members.
- Reach and engagement metrics for community-related content shared on social media platforms.
By understanding the objectives of your community and aligning your measurement approach with the CMX SPACES MODEL, you can effectively track and evaluate the success of your community initiatives.
What are some memorable events or initiatives you’ve organized that had a significant impact on the community?
One initiative I’m particularly proud of is a 2-week bootcamp program I designed and executed as the volunteer community lead at Gnome Africa, with the invaluable support of core team members like Chekwube, Mr Ayo, and Regina. The aim of this program was to help members land spots in prestigious programs like Outreachy and Google Summer of Code (GSoC). These programs are highly competitive, and we wanted to equip our community members with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
The Impact:
The program garnered over 100 registrations, with 30 active participants who fully engaged throughout the online boot camp. The result? Two developers from our community secured placements in GSoC, which was a significant achievement!
Another initiative I’d like to highlight is “Gruve and Chill,” a casual online event designed to foster connections and interaction within the Gruve Tickets community. During these events, members come together to play games, ask questions about our products, and even participate in some virtual karaoke!
Impact: This event has helped foster a more relaxed and interactive environment within our community, allowing members to connect on a more personal level. Additionally, it has provided a valuable platform for them to learn more about Gruve Tickets in a fun and engaging way.
What tools and platforms do you find most effective for managing and growing tech communities?
As a community manager, I rely on a diverse array of tools to keep things organized, engaged, and growing. Here are some of my favorites:
Notion: This versatile tool serves as my go-to platform for brainstorming content ideas, creating editorial calendars, and keeping track of project assets in one centralized location.
Discord: For fostering real-time conversations, building a strong sense of community, and facilitating member interaction, Discord has proven to be an invaluable resource. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it ideal for nurturing vibrant online communities.
Dots/Together Crew: These analytics tools play a vital role in helping me gauge the health of our community by tracking key metrics such as member engagement, sentiment analysis, and growth rate. This data enables me to gain valuable insights into community dynamics, identify areas for improvement, and tailor strategies accordingly to ensure continued growth and success.
Myth or fact? An introvert cannot be a tech community manager? your thoughts?
Introverts can undoubtedly thrive as successful tech community managers. Although the role may appear to be extrovert-oriented on the surface, introverts possess strengths that are incredibly valuable in building and nurturing a thriving online community. Their ability to focus on behind-the-scenes tasks such as community strategy, designing the community infrastructure, and monitoring data can be instrumental in driving the community’s success. Introverts excel in thoughtful planning, strategic thinking, and attention to detail, which are essential components of effective community management. By leveraging these strengths, introverted community managers can create inclusive and engaging environments that cater to the diverse needs of community members.
Finally, what resources (books, podcasts, networks, etc.) would you recommend to aspiring community managers?
Community Coach Newsletter
David Sinks Newsletter
Amarachi Johnson complied a list of resources to get started with, you can find it here: https://t.co/MTNofgEvOq
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn (Fibibakes, Ibi Fiberesima) as I explore different communities and write about their winning strategies.
It’s a pleasure talking to you Fiberesima.
Same as well, thank you so much.
Big fan of Fibi. I happen to stumble upon her page on LinkedIn while casually scrolling through. And guess what caught my eye? Her Setup!!! Oh, my days!! And ever since then, It has been a love story from me to her profiles and other pages. She’s doing a great job as a community manager.