<b>The Activation Metric Worksheet</b>

<b>The Activation Metric Worksheet</b>
You can't improve "engagement" because it isn't one number. Define your single activation event — the action that predicts a member stays.

☐ List actions new members take in week 1
☐ For each, check 30-day retention of members who did vs didn't
☐ Pick the action with the biggest retention gap — that's your activation event
☐ Write it as one sentence: "Activated = posted once in first 7 days"
☐ Build every onboarding step to drive that one action

The rule: one activation event, defined numerically, reviewed quarterly. For most communities it's a first post or a first reply received, not a join or a profile fill. Once defined, your whole onboarding loop has a target instead of a vibe.

Post your activation rate where the team sees it weekly.

Save this for your next launch.