How do you find and join relevant FinTech communities online?

First, think about what you want to achieve in the world of FinTech. Are you looking for a job, wanting to meet new people, eager to learn? Once you've got that figured out, narrow down your interests within FinTech to find which area really sparks your curiosity. Next, start exploring the world of FinTech by checking out and following the folks who are making waves in the areas that interest you. See what they're talking about on platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Discord or Telegram where you can also join in the conversation. Also, start attending meet-ups & FinTech Fests! It's a great way to dive into the FinTech scene, learn and meet some friendly faces.

Have a clear objective of what you want from FinTech online communities. To read updates, get information from experts, network with other professionals or something else?? Seek the communities and study for a few days on the nature of their contents and style. If it aligns with what you want, you can leverage on technology and maximize the opportunities in the communities as you also contribute your quota to its growth.

Content. Content . And more content. I’ve found that to be the best way to find your fintech tribe. Whether it’s a YouTuber who focuses exclusively on fintech content, or a podcaster, or a newsletter author (like yours truly) they’re all by all means either 1. Part of an exclusive fintech community 2. Run their own fintech community The next best way? Watch out for city events that happen and attend them. You’ll have a great time geeking out with the who’s who of fintech. And get to be a part of their community too!

There are a lot of FinTechs who have active Telegram Channels and also a whole host of them have Discord Servers. The best way to discover is to search threads on LinkedIn and also Quora or Reddit. Another way is to Find Influencers and see the universe Files or images they share and then try and manually find them. You can search for FinTech Influencers on the LinkedIn page and there are a bunch of tags. I have noticed searching for content that is helping you learn or teaching you something is the kind of folks you want to follow.

From my experience, having a defined purpose for why you want to be a part of a FinTech community goes a long way. Your purpose will influence the search terms, buzz words and hashtags you use. Additionally, having a defined goal is a good way to find related or similar topics to that which you are focused on.

An important tool is the hashtag: looking for the most used ones on a given community allows you to get access to all the related content on the topic that you are interested in

Participation in online FinTech communities can be likened to attending a physical networking event. Besides the free canapés and drinks, you spend time attending to build on your network of like-minded people or those within the same industry as you. Actively get to know those in your community on a professional level but also holistically because every individual has a difference about them that is potentially what gives them their own cutting edge within the FinTech space. Explore and keep your mind open to partnerships and opportunities of collaboration: innovation lays in the seams of FinTech and it all begins with an idea that was supported and pushed by the right minds/institutions.

📌Introduce yourself, ask questions, share your expertise, and engage in discussions. Actively participating will help you build connections and learn from others. 📌Contribute valuable content. Share articles, insights, or your own work to establish yourself as a valuable member of the community.

Once you have identified relevant FinTech communities, join them and start participating actively. Introduce yourself and share information about your background, goals, and interests to make a positive first impression and connect with like-minded individuals. Being active and helpful is key to getting the most out of these communities. Regularly post relevant content, comment on other posts, answer questions, and offer advice and feedback. Avoid spamming or self-promotion, and always be respectful and constructive in your interactions. By actively engaging, you can build valuable relationships, learn from others, and contribute to the community’s growth.

I've recently applied for and been granted entry into some fintech communities and I can see that when it comes to participation, it's more than just liking and following contributors. To get the best results and to 'meet' like-minded people, it's a good idea to offer up your opinions and perspectives, as well as ask a question if you're curious or just trying to understand the article. This is because the most active and relevant contributors tend to reply and engage in discussions with those who interact with them.

What to consider is now that in the rise of SoMe advertising, many groups have divulged from their initial aim and have now become a marketplace of promotional spam posts and a playground for phishing scammers to try and attack unsuspecting people. So be wary of what and who you interact with, always surf the web with infosec best practices in mind!

Help and not promote. The best way to benefit from these communities is to help people with relevant knowledge you have. Ultimately, you will get a lot of benefits from the community.

Online is crowded and impersonal. ChatGPT has made the problem even worse, as so many posts are AI generated it's very hard to figure out someone's opinion or even knowledge of a subject. Find someone that you think is capable and interested in Fintech and try and bring the dialogue to a zoom call or even in person. Make yourself memorable and build the relationship. It's rare to find an out of the box community, you normally have to build your own community one step at a time Keep adding value and the community will grow

The main problem with communities nowadays is that the majority of them are not real communities but media platforms for companies to promote their brands and attract their target customer segment. Building a genuine community is hard and takes a lot of time and nurturing, and the key thing to consider is the value it provides (as Sean mentioned above)...this is what differentiates true communities that are worth being part of from all the "marketing machines" out there.

Follow FinTech-focused media outlets, blogs, and podcasts that provide in-depth coverage of industry trends, insights, and analysis. Platforms like The FinTech Times, Finextra, and The Block offer a wealth of content, including articles, interviews, and opinion pieces written by industry experts and thought leaders. By consuming and sharing valuable content from these media outlets, professionals can stay informed, spark discussions, and establish themselves as knowledgeable contributors within the FinTech community. Get involved in FinTech hackathons, innovation challenges, and startup competitions organized by industry players, universities, and technology incubators.