In Before The Lock is a podcast from Erica Kuhl and Brian Oblinger about community, customer experience, and leadership at scale. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and everywhere that podcasts are found.

Content Strategy Brian Oblinger Content Strategy Brian Oblinger

🔓 89: To delete or not to delete

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Brian Oblinger Brian Oblinger

🧵 88: A part of who they are

“What are some crucial qualities of a community leader? Do you suggest promoting from within and how do I know who to target?” — Kelly Klein

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Guidelines Brian Oblinger Guidelines Brian Oblinger

🔓 87: Acceptable trash talk

Erica and Brian take a close look at how to create compelling community user guidelines.

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Culture Brian Oblinger Culture Brian Oblinger

🧵 86: It’s all about culture

“Are there certain company characteristics that are indicators whether a community will have a higher chance of success?” — Brian Koffler

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Execution Brian Oblinger Execution Brian Oblinger

🔓 85: A map of your brain

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Strategy Brian Oblinger Strategy Brian Oblinger

🧵 84: Don’t expect miracles

“What are the biggest things you tell companies to watch out for when they come to you with the idea of ‘I want to launch a customer community’ for the first time?” — Udit Lakhotia

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Superuser Programs Brian Oblinger Superuser Programs Brian Oblinger

🔓 83: Expert elitism

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Incentives, Web3 Brian Oblinger Incentives, Web3 Brian Oblinger

🧵 82: A room full of mercenaries

“NFT and Web3 communities: does financial incentive dilute the sense of community? Is financial incentive/interest a good 'common interest'?” — Ilker Akansel

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Engagement Brian Oblinger Engagement Brian Oblinger

🔓 81: I love a good seasonal engagement program

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Strategy Brian Oblinger Strategy Brian Oblinger

🧵 80: Get aligned

“How best to approach when you work for an org that already has a wider community - but you're asked to build a secondary community for something more niche? The wider community is managed by a different department than yours, also.” — Gabrielle Leith

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Erica Appreciation Brian Oblinger Erica Appreciation Brian Oblinger

🔓 79: Even Littler Erica

Erica’s Mom, Donna, joins Brian on this extra-special birthday episode to talk about an award Erica won in high school, her history as a criminal mastermind, and how the daughter of a dentist became addicted to candy. Happy Birthday, Erica! 🥳

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Strategy, Use Cases Brian Oblinger Strategy, Use Cases Brian Oblinger

🔓 78: Begin again

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Leadership Brian Oblinger Leadership Brian Oblinger

🧵 77: Shattered

“How do you rebuild trust in a community where trust has been shattered?” — Cole Zerr

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Design Brian Oblinger Design Brian Oblinger

🔓 76: Combo pages

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Mental Health Brian Oblinger Mental Health Brian Oblinger

🧵 75: We’re not that important

“How do you handle ‘turning off’ when your community is always on?” — Alex Angel

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Thought Leadership Brian Oblinger Thought Leadership Brian Oblinger

🔓 74: Leading thought

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Conferences, Events Brian Oblinger Conferences, Events Brian Oblinger

🧵 73: Very boondoggle-y

“What are your thoughts on an in-person Community summit? When is a good time in the Community lifecycle to consider hosting one? What benefits/ROI do you expect from it?” — Lauren

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Advocacy Brian Oblinger Advocacy Brian Oblinger

🔓 72: People who say nice things

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Promotion Brian Oblinger Promotion Brian Oblinger

🧵 71: It ain’t dead

“How do you see the role of email in connecting with your community? And how do you see it changing?” – Hannah Whalen

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Measurement Brian Oblinger Measurement Brian Oblinger

🧵 70: Behaviors and indicators

“How can you gauge the 'health' of a community? What indicators or behaviors do you look for?” – Jessica Erhart

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