Best Practices for Make-Along Engagement and Community Management
You have an eager audience, ready to engage with you and a community. Make your GoSadi Make-Along (MAL) even better by being an active, engaging host.
Here are our best practices for leading by example and creating an environment where Makers feel excited to post, share, and support each other. Follow this guide and watch your MAL come to life.
Start Strong: Your First Post
Set the Tone Immediately
Your first post as host shapes how your community engages with you and the other Makers.
1. Go to your MAL page
2. Make your first post before anyone else posts
3. Choose what to share
Simple welcome - "Welcome to the fun zone!"
Detailed information - Pattern details, supply list, timeline
Create A Comprehensive Informational Post
Welcome your Makers by sharing information about the project, including
Pattern details and links
Supply list or yarn recommendations (with affiliate links)
Gauge notes and tips
Skill requirements
Timeline or milestones
Any special techniques explained
EXAMPLE: "Welcome to the Bayside Tank MAL! Here's what you need: [Yarn Link], [Yarn Link]. Gauge: 18 sts over 4 inches. This uses basic lace - beginner lace knowledge recommended. We're hitting these milestones: [dates]. Questions? Drop them here!"
Pin Your Important Post
Keep key information visible at the top of the MAL Community Feed throughout your MAL.
1. Make your detailed post
2. Click the Pin icon on that post
3. It stays at the top of your MAL Feed
All new posts and activity appear below it
Pinned posts are always visible when members visit the feed
Encourage Active Engagement
Prompt Participation
Don't wait for people to know how to engage. Give them fun ways to participate.
Ask specific questions:
Emoji drops - "Drop a yarn emoji when you've picked your yarn!"
Photo shares - "Share a pic of your yarn selection!"
Reactions - Encourage claps, hearts, and celebratory emojis
Keep prompts light and fun
Celebrate the first responses
Comment or respond with an emoji on Makers’ posts
Show Your Makers What Good Engagement Looks Like
People respond better when they see others engaging. If you engage, others will follow your lead.
Ways to boost engagement:
Reply to comments on your own posts
Use emoji reactions to show excitement
Ask follow-up questions
Create conversations in the thread
This shows community members how to interact
Lead by Example: Be the First to Start Your Project
Starting your project on day one shows makers how to participate. It also generates excitement for your MAL.
Create Your Project
1. On your MAL launch day, navigate to your MAL page
2. Click Start Project
3. Fill out the Project Details Form:
Give your project a name (e.g., “Bayside Tank")
Fill-in your yarn, needles/hooks, and gauge information if it isn’t auto-populated
Add photos
Write public and private notes now and as you go
Fill-in the status and start-date
IMPORTANT: Check the box Share on my Make-A-Long.
4. Click Create Project
What Happens Next
Your project instantly posts to the MAL Feed
Everyone sees: "Hey, [Host] just started their project!"
Your Project Page is visible to all members
Members can see what you're working on
This encourages them to start their projects too
How To Update Your Project
As you make progress on the project and through the MAL, keep excitement and momentum going.
1. Navigate to your MAL Page
2. Click on the Update project button underneath the cover photo and project name
3. Add photos of your work
4. Share notes and tips by adding notes in the Notes box
NOTE: You can add Private Notes that are only visible to you
5. Click the Save My Project Details button
IMPORTANT: Keep posting regularly to show activity and engagement.
Manage Your Community
Check for New Members
For private or invite-only MALs, you’ll need to check for new MAL member requests.
1. Navigate to your MAL Page
2. Go to Host Tools
3. Click Manage Members
4. New members who have applied to join will be listed under the Members tab
5. Review their applications
6. Click on the Approve or Decline button to accept or decline their invitation
How To Assign Moderators To Your MAL
If your MAL is large, very active, or you need help managing it, you can assign a Moderator.
1. Navigate to your MAL Page
2. Click on Host Tools, then Manage Members
3. Find the MAL community member you want to assign as Moderator
IMPORTANT: Choose a trusted community member for this role, as they’ll have control rights and access to your MAL.
4. Click the Options menu next to their name
5. Select Make Moderator
6. They now have permission to manage the community with you
Support Mobile Members
Since many makers prefer to engage on their phones, you’ll need to remember to support your mobile Makers.
Share MAL Mobile Access Information
Let members know they can participate on mobile from the get-go in your first or pinned post. Here are the steps to share with your Makers to access the MAL from a mobile device.
1. Access your MAL Page by visiting community.gosadi.com or makers.gosadi.com
2. Log-in to your GoSadi account
3. Go to Community on the left-hand side panel
4. Find their MAL Page and click on it to engage
IMPORTANT: Mention that all features work on mobile, so Makers can post photos and updates from anywhere.
Keep Community Engagement Fresh and On-Going
Stay Active During Your MAL
Check your MAL Page daily or every few days for new content, updates, or questions from Makers
Read comments and questions
Reply and engage with members
Address any issues, questions, or concerns
Keep the conversation flowing
Post Regularly
Share updates about your MAL progress or the community’s MAL progress
Celebrate milestones
Share member highlights
Ask questions to spark conversation
Post encouragement, tips, and insider suggestions
Facilitate Conversations
Members want to engage with each other, not just you.
Create spaces for discussion:
"What yarn did you choose?"
"Stuck on the increase row?"
"Show us your FO!"
Let members reply to each other
Use threaded conversations to keep topics organized
Step back and let community happen
REMEMBER: Your energy and engagement set the tone for the entire MAL community, so you want to make it a fun and supportive environment where Makers want to participate and come back for your future MALs.
Other Helpful Tips
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