Show Description
In this episode of Fluent in Marketing, host Paige chats with Erin Simmons, Managing Director of Women in Tech SEO (WTS). They dive deep into the intersection of community building and marketing, exploring how businesses can authentically create and participate in communities. Erin shares insights from managing a 6,000+ member community and discusses the delicate balance between community engagement and sustainable business practices.
Show Timeline
0:00 - Introduction to Erin and their role at WTS
2:00 - Overview of WTS community structure and platforms
5:00 - Digital vs in-person community building approaches
9:21 - Discussion on measuring community ROI and value
15:00 - The importance of user-generated content in communities
20:00 - Community member roles and the "give-take" dynamic
25:00 - How companies can find and evaluate community partnerships
29:31 - The value proposition of community partnerships
35:00 - Creating and maintaining community codes of conduct
39:17 - Making communities inclusive and welcoming
40:00 - Integrating community building with marketing strategies
43:20 - Closing thoughts and contact information
About Erin Simmons (They/Them)
Erin is using their 15+ years in marketing and analytics to understand folks better, figure out what relationships will support them most, and help them to connect with their people.
Erin Simmons (they/them) is a passionate advocate for fostering inclusive, thriving communities through purposeful marketing and memorable events. As the Managing Director at Women in Tech SEO, Erin partners with founder Areej AbuAli to steward a safe, empowering space for individuals of marginalized genders, driven by the vision of creating community environments that ultimately feel redundant—where all spaces are inherently inclusive.
With a rich background in marketing and event management, Erin has honed their expertise across roles, including as a Marketing Director at Seer Interactive, where they led strategic demand generation initiatives and bridged analytics with human connection to make data truly meaningful. An advocate, strategist, and creative at heart, Erin is dedicated to building community-centered solutions that prioritize inclusivity, empathy, and purpose.
Where to find Erin:
Learn more about the WTS Community
Pre-order Areej's book - Community Building for Marketers
Released at the end of March, early April 2025
People Erin recommends following to learn more about community:
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