HER App Community Tips: Beyond Dating to Build Connections

Why HER's Community Features Matter

Unlike traditional dating apps that focus solely on romantic connections, HER was designed as a comprehensive social platform for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals. The community features—including the Feed, Communities, and Events—create opportunities to connect, engage, and build relationships that extend far beyond dating.

Research shows that 65% of HER users value the community aspects as much as or more than the dating features. Many users report finding their closest queer friends through HER's community spaces, attending local meetups, and building support networks that enrich their lives in countless ways.

Understanding HER's Community Structure

The Feed: Your Community Homepage

The HER Feed functions like a queer-focused social media platform where users can:

• Share thoughts, experiences, and questions
• Post photos and updates
• Engage with others' content through likes and comments
• Discover people with similar interests and values
• Stay updated on LGBTQ+ news and culture

The Feed creates visibility and connection opportunities that pure one-on-one matching can't provide. It's where personality shines and where many meaningful connections begin.

Communities: Find Your People

HER offers various Communities based on interests, identities, and locations:

• Identity-Based Communities: Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Non-Binary, Queer, and more
• Interest Communities: Artists, Athletes, Activists, Professionals, Gamers
• Location Communities: City-specific groups for local connections
• Activity Communities: Book clubs, hiking groups, support circles

These communities allow you to connect with people who share specific aspects of your identity or interests, creating a foundation for deeper friendships.

Events: From Virtual to IRL

HER regularly hosts both virtual and in-person events:

• Virtual game nights and trivia
• Wellness workshops and discussions
• Local meetups and happy hours
• Pride events and festivals
• Professional networking sessions

Events provide structured opportunities to meet people in low-pressure settings, often leading to genuine friendships.

Maximizing Your Community Engagement

Create Engaging Feed Posts

The key to successful Feed engagement is authenticity and value. Posts that perform well typically:

Share Genuine Experiences:

• "Just came out to my family—feeling all the emotions. Who else has been through this?"
• "Discovered the cutest queer coffee shop today. Any other local gems I should know about?"
• "Celebrating 1 year on HRT! To anyone questioning, you've got this."

Ask Thoughtful Questions:

• "What book changed your perspective on being queer?"
• "How did you know you were ready to start dating again after a breakup?"
• "Best queer-friendly cities you've visited?"

Provide Value or Humor:

• Share helpful resources about LGBTQ+ rights or health
• Post funny observations about queer culture
• Offer recommendations for queer media, events, or businesses

Avoid Feed Pitfalls:

• Don't use the Feed solely for self-promotion
• Avoid vague-posting or attention-seeking without context
• Don't engage in arguments or call-out culture
• Keep negativity balanced with constructive framing

Engage Meaningfully with Others' Content

Building community isn't just about posting—it's about engaging:

Leave Thoughtful Comments: Instead of just "This!" or emoji reactions, contribute to the conversation. Share your own experience, ask follow-up questions, or offer genuine encouragement.

Support Others Generously: When someone shares a vulnerability or achievement, acknowledge it. The queer community thrives on mutual support.

Follow Up on Connections: If you have a great exchange in comments, don't hesitate to send a direct message to continue the conversation or suggest connecting further.

Join and Participate in Communities

Don't just lurk—active participation yields the best results:

Introduce Yourself: When joining a new Community, make an introduction post sharing who you are, what you're looking for, and what you can contribute.

Contribute Regularly: Share relevant content, answer questions, and engage with others' posts within your Communities.

Organize or Suggest Activities: Many Communities welcome members who take initiative to organize meetups, book clubs, or other activities.

Be a Community Builder: Welcome new members, make introductions between people who might connect, and help maintain a positive atmosphere.

Building Different Types of Connections

Finding Friends, Not Dates

Many HER users specifically seek platonic friendships. Tips for friendship-building:

• Be explicit about seeking friends in your profile and posts
• Focus on shared interests rather than attraction
• Suggest group activities rather than one-on-one meetups initially
• Use Communities to find people with compatible lifestyles and hobbies
• Attend HER events specifically marked as friend-focused

Professional Networking

HER's community can be valuable for professional connections:

• Join industry-specific Communities if available
• Share and celebrate professional achievements
• Offer mentorship or seek guidance from more experienced professionals
• Attend networking events hosted through HER
• Build relationships based on mutual professional support

Finding Community Support

For many users, HER provides emotional support and understanding:

• Share your journey in relevant Communities (coming out, transition, health)
• Seek advice from others who've had similar experiences
• Offer your own hard-won wisdom to those behind you on the journey
• Remember that community support complements but doesn't replace professional help when needed

Safety and Boundaries in Community Spaces

Maintaining Privacy

While community engagement requires some openness, protect yourself:

• Consider what personal information you share publicly vs. in DMs
• Use discretion when sharing location details
• Be mindful of what's visible in photos you share
• Remember that Feed posts are visible to all HER users

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Community spaces can be emotionally intense. Protect your energy:

• It's okay to mute or step back from conversations that drain you
• You're not obligated to engage with everyone who comments
• Limit exposure to content that triggers anxiety or distress
• Report users who violate community guidelines or make you uncomfortable

Recognizing Red Flags

Even in queer spaces, watch for:

• Love-bombing or excessive intensity from new connections
• People who constantly create drama or play victim
• Boundary-pushing or ignoring your stated limits
• Requests for money or personal favors from new connections
• Anyone making you feel pressured or uncomfortable

Leveraging Community for Better Dating Success

Engaging with HER's community features can actually improve your dating outcomes:

Increased Visibility

Active community participation makes you more visible. People who see your thoughtful comments or interesting posts may check out your profile and initiate matches.

Demonstrating Personality

Your Feed activity and Community engagement show personality dimensions that photos and bios can't fully capture. Someone might match with you based on a funny comment you made or a thoughtful question you asked.

Building Familiarity

When you've interacted with someone in community spaces before matching, there's already a foundation of familiarity that makes conversations flow more naturally.

Finding Quality Matches

People who share your values and interests in Community spaces are more likely to be compatible matches than random swipes based solely on photos.

Making the Most of HER Events

Virtual Events

HER's virtual events lower barriers to participation:

• Join from anywhere—great for rural users or those without local queer communities
• Less pressure than in-person events for introverts or social anxiety
• Easier to dip in and out if you're testing the waters
• Opportunity to meet people from different cities you might visit

Success Tips for Virtual Events:

• Test your tech beforehand
• Have your camera on when comfortable—it builds connection
• Engage in chat even if you're not speaking on mic
• Follow up with interesting people afterward

In-Person Events

IRL HER events create powerful bonding opportunities:

• Pride celebrations and parades
• Happy hours and social meetups
• Workshops and skill-sharing sessions
• Outdoor activities like hikes or sports
• Cultural events like film screenings or gallery visits

Success Tips for In-Person Events:

• Bring a friend if allowed, but be sure to meet new people too
• Arrive early to chat with organizers and early attendees
• Have conversation starters ready beyond "What do you do?"
• Exchange contact info with people you click with
• Follow up within 48 hours while you're fresh in their memory

Creating Your Own Community Initiatives

Don't just consume community—create it:

Organize Local Meetups

Use HER to gather people for activities you enjoy:

• Coffee meetups or happy hours
• Hiking or outdoor activity groups
• Book clubs or film discussion groups
• Volunteer activities for causes you care about
• Skill-sharing sessions (photography, cooking, etc.)

Start Conversations

Post questions or topics that invite community dialogue:

• "Let's compile a list of queer-owned businesses in [city]"
• "What's everyone reading for Pride Month?"
• "Any other artists struggling with creative block?"

Share Resources

Be a contributor to community knowledge:

• Share information about LGBTQ+ resources and services
• Post about queer events happening in your area
• Create guides or lists that might help others
• Offer your expertise on topics you know well

Combining Community with Authentic Photos

Your community engagement is more powerful when combined with authentic visual presentation. Whether you're posting to the Feed, updating your profile, or sharing event photos, quality images matter.

AURA can help you create natural, professional-looking photos that represent the real you—essential for LGBTQ+ users who want their images to authentically reflect their identity and style. Whether you're femme, masc, or anywhere on the gender expression spectrum, having photos that feel genuinely you strengthens both your dating profile and your community presence.

Common Community Engagement Mistakes

Being Too Passive

Lurking without engaging limits your connection opportunities. You have to put yourself out there to build community.

Oversharing Too Soon

While authenticity is valued, be mindful of trauma-dumping or sharing deeply personal information before establishing trust.

Making It All About You

Community engagement is reciprocal. Balance sharing about yourself with supporting and engaging with others.

Forgetting to Follow Up

Making connections in community spaces is just the first step. Follow up with people, nurture relationships, and invest in building real friendships.

Treating It Like Other Social Media

HER isn't Instagram or Twitter. The community values substance over performance, authenticity over aesthetic perfection.

Long-Term Community Building Strategies

Consistency Matters

Regular engagement builds recognition and relationships over time. Even small, consistent interactions are more valuable than sporadic intense activity.

Develop Your Voice

Over time, find your authentic voice and niche within the community. Are you the funny one? The supportive friend? The event organizer? The political educator? Lean into what feels natural.

Build Genuine Relationships

Focus on quality over quantity. Ten genuine connections are more valuable than hundreds of superficial ones.

Give More Than You Take

The most beloved community members are generous with their time, encouragement, knowledge, and support. Be that person.

Conclusion: Community as Foundation

HER's community features transform the app from a simple dating platform into a comprehensive social ecosystem for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals. By engaging authentically with the Feed, participating in Communities, and attending Events, you create opportunities for connections that can enrich your life in ways that extend far beyond romance.

Whether you're seeking friends, dates, professional connections, or simply a sense of belonging in queer community, HER's social features provide the tools. The key is showing up authentically, engaging generously, and being willing to invest in building real relationships.

Remember that community building takes time. Don't expect instant results. Instead, focus on consistent, authentic engagement. Over time, you'll find that the connections you make through HER's community features become some of the most meaningful relationships in your life—whether they're romantic, platonic, or somewhere beautifully in between.