- Categories:
- Appreciation
- Tags:
- CareerWork
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Fourth Monday of January
- Holiday emoji:
- 🤝
Community Manager Appreciation Day arrives every fourth Monday of January, shining a light on the dedicated professionals who build and nurture online communities. These vital roles foster engagement, manage conversations, and represent brands across digital spaces. Take a moment to thank a community manager today!
Want to sponsor Community Manager Appreciation Day? Learn how
Expected Community Manager Appreciation Day Deals
For Community Manager Appreciation Day, expect companies and industry vendors to roll out special recognition programs and discounts. Look for software providers like Sprout Social, Hootsuite, and Buffer to offer limited-time deals on their platforms or host free webinars. Professional organizations such as The Community Roundtable and CMX may provide discounted memberships or educational resources. Brands like Starbucks or DoorDash might offer corporate gift cards for teams to celebrate. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 26 approaches.
Platform Guide for Community Manager Appreciation Day
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CMAD. Share a post recognizing your community manager or team, highlighting their impact.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #CMAD. Participate in trending conversations about community building and share appreciation messages.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CMAD. Share stories of how community managers have positively impacted your online experience.
Community Manager Appreciation Day Hero
Jeremiah Owyang
History of Community Manager Appreciation Day
Some of you might be wondering “What exactly is a community manager?” It’s actually a relatively new term. The earliest recognized origin of the role itself only dates back to the 1990s. Originally referred to as Sysops, this role began as online systems first offered features and functions that allowed for community creation. Sysops were responsible for operating the bulletin board in software systems and effectively the growth of mainstream online computer services like Prodigy and America Online. These communities took on many names but largely were identified as Special Interest Groups. Their leaders were often referred to as Community Leaders.
Each Network has a purpose and it is the Community Manager’s job to maintain focus. As online communities have developed, so has the responsibilities of the Community Manager. They are responsible for branded online communities, online research communities, corporate blogs, social media marketing, and research activities. Today the demand has expanded to an even wider variety of responsibilities and skill-sets including product support and development, PR, and customer support all while maintaining open communications between the developer and the community.
Community managers aren’t just about their business, they’re about developing a community around a shared appreciation for a product. They are also dedicated to assisting in improving their product, they’re the guy (or gal) that listens to the fan-base, reports back to the higher-ups and gets them to listen. Their entire goal is to connect people and build them something they all want. Community managers allow for personalization, they build relationships and empower consumers, and we think that’s pretty noble.
Someone who stands up for the little guys definitely deserves a day of recognition. So if you’re a part of an online community, make sure to throw a shout-out to your community managers and let them know you appreciate them.
Community Manager Appreciation Day timeline
The World Wide Web became publicly available allowing communities and businesses to interact and connect.
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Myspace hits the screens and Tom becomes everyone’s friend.
Facebook makes waves on Harvard’s campus.
Brands begin to see the power of conversations taking place by their customers.
Brand Influencers hit the social scene.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Community Manager Appreciation Day
Local businesses can honor Community Manager Appreciation Day by acknowledging the digital professionals who keep their online presence vibrant. Offer a special shout-out on social media to your community team, or host an internal event to celebrate their hard work. Consider providing professional development opportunities or a dedicated budget for community-building tools to empower your team further. It’s a great opportunity to reinforce their value.
Community Manager Appreciation Day FAQs
When is Community Manager Appreciation Day?
Community Manager Appreciation Day in 2027 will be observed on Monday, January 25, marking another opportunity to celebrate those who foster digital connections. Plan your acknowledgments early!
How many community managers are there?
The community management profession is expanding rapidly, reflecting the increasing importance of digital relationships. Industry reports indicate a steady rise in demand for skilled community professionals across sectors, with projections showing continued growth into 2027.
What is the average salary of a community manager?
Salaries for community managers are expected to remain competitive in 2027, driven by the specialized skills required for fostering online engagement and managing digital reputations. Continued professional development can lead to higher earning potential in this dynamic field.
What is the difference between a social media manager and a community manager?
While both roles are crucial for a brand’s online presence, a social media manager typically drives outward communication, whereas a community manager focuses on inward engagement, listening, and facilitating conversations among members. The distinction lies in proactive broadcasting versus reactive relationship building.
Community Manager Appreciation Day Activities
Give your community manager a raise
There are lots of ways to say thank you to your company’s community manager – giving them a raise is a surefire way to keep them motivated.
Buy your favorite community manager a beer
Or bake him or her some cupcakes, take the team out to lunch or buy a round after work.
Send them your thanks
Send a tweet expressing how much you value your community manager, you can also send him or her a nice thank-you note.
An ocean of channels
Today over 80% of organizations have community channels, which is a significant increase from 67% in 2012.
Single-players
34% of community teams are a team of one.
They’re everywhere
From HR to IT, to marketing, communities are part of many departments and one-in-seven are their own independent department.
They’ve got the numbers
On average, internal and external communities generate 6,469% ROI for organizations
They’re skilled but not schooled
Only 8% of community leaders trained specifically for a community role.
Why We Love Community Manager Appreciation Day
They are always connected
The same thing can happen with any other activity, but with fishing – once you’re in the motion of things, you start acting in the present and usually start to talk about the things that matter most with the people that matter the most.
They’re content wizards
They have it all – and are skilled in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters, communications materials, and material for social media channels.
They’re super outgoing and friendly
Community managers are genuinely fun people to be around, as they are required to walk into networking events and be comfortable introducing themselves to strangers.
Community Manager Appreciation Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 27 | Monday |
| 2026 | January 26 | Monday |
| 2027 | January 25 | Monday |
| 2028 | January 24 | Monday |
| 2029 | January 22 | Monday |
Social Media Tips for Community Manager Appreciation Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands