If you’re managing a community or membership site and looking for a way to seamlessly integrate events, Circle has one of the most robust event management systems available. Whether you’re hosting Q&A sessions, mastermind calls, or workshops, Circle’s event feature allows you to manage everything from RSVPs to reminders all within the platform. In this tutorial / feature walkthrough, we’ll explore how to set up events in Circle, the various features available, and how to make the most of this tool for your community.
Why Circle for Events?
Many of the people I work with often ask how they can create a calendar or host events in a way that feels fully integrated with the rest of their community. For those using platforms like WordPress, there are often limited or subpar solutions that are enormously technical and questionably secure or tough to maintain.
Circle provides a complete event management ecosystem, making it the go-to choice for many communities. Events in Circle feel cohesive with the rest of the platform, offering a seamless experience for both community managers and members.
Simplicity, presentation, and execution are the three key features you want in an events management tool for your community. Circle has all three.
Video Walkthrough
I have a complete video walkthrough showing all of the Events features in Circle and how to use them available below.
How to Create Events in Circle
Creating events in Circle is simple, but the platform offers a lot of flexibility and customization options. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Set Up Your Event Space
First, decide where your events will be displayed. You can have one or multiple event spaces in Circle. For example, you might create a “Q&A” space or a “Mastermind” space. These spaces can be customized with different icons and names based on the type of event you’re hosting.
- Navigation and Event Aggregation: You can aggregate all events into a calendar view, list view, or thumbnail view. Each view allows members to see upcoming events at a glance, whether they’re looking for a specific date or a general overview.
Step 2: Create a New Event
- Click “New Event”: Start by clicking the “New Event” button within your chosen space.
- Event Title: Give your event a title. For example, you might name it “Monthly Mastermind” or “SEO Office Hours.”
- Choose a Space: Select the space where this event will live. You can have different spaces for different event types, such as webinars or workshops, or keep everything in a single space.
- Topics: Tag your event with relevant topics. This makes it easier for members to find specific events and helps organize your content better. For example, tag Q&A sessions, masterminds, or special workshops.
Step 3: Set the Time and Date
Circle allows you to easily set up both one-time and recurring events. Recurring options include daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and even monthly occurrences. This is great for setting up regular events like office hours or community check-ins.
- Example: Set your event to recur bi-weekly every Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This flexibility is particularly useful for international communities, where members might want different time slots.
Step 4: Choose the Event Location
Circle provides several options for where your event will take place:
- In-Person: If you’re hosting an in-person event, you can enter the address.
- External Platforms: If you’re using platforms like Zoom or YouTube, you can add the URL.
- Circle Live Stream: This is for one-to-many live streaming, where attendees watch and interact via chat but do not appear on camera.
- Circle Live Room: Perfect for interactive events where everyone can join on camera, similar to a Zoom call.
You can also choose to hide the location from non-attendees for private or paid events.
Features of the Circle Event System
The Circle event feature is packed with useful functionalities to make event management smooth and engaging. Here’s a breakdown of key features:
1. Event RSVPs and Reminders
Members can RSVP to events and add them to their personal calendars. Additionally, Circle automatically sends out reminder emails to attendees. You can fully customize these reminders, setting them to go out at specific times before the event, such as one hour or one day prior.
2. Calendar, List, and Thumbnail Views
Circle gives you flexibility in how events are displayed. The calendar view offers a traditional monthly calendar, while the list and thumbnail views provide a more visual or condensed approach. Thumbnail views allow for event images to help certain events stand out.
3. Event Discussion and Questions
Each event acts as a mini-discussion forum. Members can post questions ahead of time, allowing you to prepare answers or address specific concerns during the event. This is especially helpful for Q&A or office hour events.
4. Event Recording and Replays
One of Circle’s standout features is the ability to record events automatically. After the event, the recording is available for replay, and you receive a direct download link shortly after the session ends. This can be particularly useful for members who were unable to attend but still want access to the content.
5. Paid Events
Circle allows you to host paid events directly on the platform. Whether you’re running workshops, accelerators, or any other type of premium event, you can charge admission and set tiered pricing for different membership levels.
6. Attendance Management
Circle also lets you manage attendees directly within the platform. You can add or remove members, set RSVPs, and even limit the number of attendees for exclusive events. This is great for small group sessions or limited-capacity workshops.
What Makes Circle Events Stand Out?
Unlike other platforms, Circle seamlessly integrates events into the overall community experience. Members can see upcoming events in their feed, receive personalized reminders, and access replays all in one place. There’s no need for third-party plugins or complicated integrations — everything you need to host, manage, and promote events is built right into the platform.
Conclusion
Events are an essential part of many communities, and Circle’s event feature offers a comprehensive, user-friendly way to manage them. Whether you’re hosting a one-time workshop or a recurring mastermind, the ability to handle RSVPs, event reminders, live streaming, and recordings within Circle makes it a go-to choice for event-driven communities.
From organizing your calendar to automating the event flow, Circle ensures that your community members are always in the loop. By utilizing this feature, you can engage your members with regular, well-run events that keep them connected and coming back for more.
Convology+ runs on Circle and I use the events feature multiple times a week for our Q&A calls, Mastermind calls, community chats, and accelerator cohorts. I couldn’t run my membership without the events feature in Circle.