Driving Resident Engagement With Genuine Stories | Grace Hill
Back to Blog

Driving Resident Engagement With Genuine Stories

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Stephanie Anderson

resident women smiling holding up her mobile phone

In today’s hyper-connected world, authenticity is the currency of trust — and that’s earned through the voices of real people. User-generated content (UGC) is a cornerstone of compelling storytelling, offering a unique blend of relatability and impact. The importance of resident-driven narratives in fostering vibrant, connected communities cannot be overstated.

From building trust to sparking engagement, UGC empowers residents to shape their community’s story, making them active participants rather than passive observers. When strategically integrated into platforms like social media, blogs, and websites — and amplified by cutting-edge AI — UGC strengthens current resident relationships and attracts prospective ones by showcasing the community’s authentic culture. Harnessing the transformative potential of UGC can enhance resident engagement and overall property performance.

Using Social Media To Engage

Social Media Toolkit | Reputation Management Resources Grace Hill

Social media can offer a dynamic space for engaging residents with the right strategies. Regularly sharing resident stories and community events on social platforms can create a vibrant online presence. Engaging residents with interactive content, such as polls or live Q&A sessions, encourages participation and strengthens connections. Additionally, showcasing the community’s vibrant culture through user-generated content not only retains current residents but also attracts potential new ones, making it a vital organic tool in community engagement.

➡️Access Our Exclusive Social Media Tool Kit!

The Importance of Blogs and Websites for User-Generated Content

Blogs and websites serve as critical platforms for residents to express their unique experiences and viewpoints. Sometimes underestimated and overlooked, these digital spaces allow for more comprehensive storytelling, highlighting the community’s culture and core values. Residents can contribute articles, testimonials, or even creative works by dedicating a specific blog or section on the community website, simultaneously creating a sense of community and a valuable marketing tool. It showcases the community’s diverse voices and builds a lasting digital repository of shared memories and insights. Furthermore, a well-maintained presence acts as an invaluable resource for prospects, offering them an in-depth look into the community’s atmosphere and lifestyle.

Applying AI for Optimization

Using AI tools can significantly enhance resident engagement by optimizing content for maximum impact. A significant percentage of companies, around 77%, are already using or considering AI to improve their business strategies. These tools help communities personalize content to align with resident preferences and interests, making stories more relevant and engaging. AI analyzes trends and provides insights into the types of content that resonate the most, allowing for more targeted storytelling.

Additionally, AI can help automate content curation and distribution, ensuring the right stories reach the right audience at the right time. This targeted approach not only enhances the resident experience but also maximizes engagement by catering to individual interests and preferences.

Evaluating Success and Resident Engagement

Evaluating the effectiveness of resident engagement and UGC efforts involves examining specific metrics that reflect interaction and interest. On social media, tracking metrics such as likes, shares, and comments help identify the types of content that resonate with the community. For blogs and websites, monitoring page views, bounce rates, and behavior flow offers valuable insights into the content’s appeal and relevance. Utilizing AI tools can further refine this analysis by identifying patterns and enabling more tailored content creation.

Conducting periodic surveys provides direct feedback from residents about their engagement levels and content preferences. This feedback loop is crucial for understanding the community’s evolving interests and ensuring the content remains fresh and engaging. Real-time analytics tools help monitor engagement trends, allowing for quick adjustments to strategies as needed.

It’s also beneficial to examine qualitative data, such as the nature of comments and direct messages, to gain deeper insights into residents’ sentiments and experiences. This data reveals underlying themes and issues that might not be evident through quantitative metrics alone.

Regularly analyzing these metrics and feedback ensures that the community remains responsive and adaptive to residents’ needs, fostering a dynamic and interactive environment.

Stephanie is the Senior Director of Communications and Social Media at Grace Hill and has over 17 years of property management experience. She is a leader in multifamily, bringing a unique 360-perspective gained from her previous roles as an operator, a nonprofit association manager, and a supplier partner. Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge specializing in industry trends, creative marketing, and employee engagement. Stephanie is a certified facilitator through NAA Education Institute (NAEEI) and was awarded Designate of the Year in 2015 and CAM of the Year in 2013. She is a powerhouse speaker who motivates others and disrupts the status quo with out-of-the-box ideas and trends. Stephanie graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in English Literature and Women’s Studies. She also holds a Virginia Real Estate License and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer. Stephanie is a proud graduate of NAA’s Leadership Lyceum and passionate about promoting awareness of human trafficking in rental housing. Learn more about Stephanie Anderson’s background and experience on her LinkedIn page.

Learn More About The Author

Scroll to Top