Handl community platform
Community · Automation · Social Media Marketing
Handl community platform
Community · Automation · Social Media Marketing
Overview
Handl emerged from a significant gap in UK powerlifting: there was no centralized way for lifters to find competition day support. Competitors either relied on their personal networks, posted hopeful requests in regional Facebook groups, or reached out to strangers on Instagram—solutions that left many lifters, especially newcomers and those competing outside their federation, without support. While powerlifting is a tight-knit community, connecting lifters with handlers depended entirely on existing relationships and social media connections.
We created Handl to solve this nationwide problem, making competition support accessible to everyone in the sport, from first-time competitors to experienced lifters competing away from their usual support system.
We created Handl to solve this nationwide problem, making competition support accessible to everyone in the sport, from first-time competitors to experienced lifters competing away from their usual support system.
Approach
Starting Simple
We knew that over-engineering the solution would hinder adoption in a community that values practicality. Working closely with someone experienced as a product owner, we focused on validating our concept first:
Community First
Understanding that powerlifting is volunteer-led, we focused on building trust within the community:
Brand Development
We created a brand identity that reflected the sport's no-nonsense culture:
Testing and Evolution
We validated our approach through real competition experiences and continue to improve:
We knew that over-engineering the solution would hinder adoption in a community that values practicality. Working closely with someone experienced as a product owner, we focused on validating our concept first:
- Conducted initial user research and collected community feedback
- Built an automated workflow using Tally forms and Notion
- Created a clear user journey for both lifters and handlers
- Set up automated email communications
- Maintained flexibility for handlers to set their own terms
Community First
Understanding that powerlifting is volunteer-led, we focused on building trust within the community:
- Developed an organic Instagram presence that resonated with the community
- Connected with regional federations for partnerships
- Built a database of verified handlers across the country
- Created a platform for both experienced and new handlers to sign up
Brand Development
We created a brand identity that reflected the sport's no-nonsense culture:
- Crafted messaging that speaks directly to lifters' competition day concerns
- Built a landing page focused on clear, practical information
- Developed content that addresses both lifters' and handlers' needs
- Maintained a consistent voice across all platforms
Testing and Evolution
We validated our approach through real competition experiences and continue to improve:
- Partnered with a regional federation for new lifter competitions
- Provided on-site handling support to test our hypothesis
- Gathered feedback from both lifters and handlers
- Currently developing a fully automated matching system with a backend developer to streamline the handler-lifter connection process
- Planning improvements to reduce manual intervention in the matching process
Outcomes
The impact of Handl has exceeded our expectations, demonstrating a clear need for this service in the powerlifting community:
Successful Matches
Community Growth
Lifter Impact
The real measure of our success comes from the lifters themselves:
Successful Matches
- Helped lifters achieve competition goals, from first-time competitors to experienced athletes pursuing podium positions
- Facilitated matches across different experience levels and competition types
- Enabled coaches to find reliable support for their athletes competing in different locations
Community Growth
- Built an engaged Instagram following of 420+ followers through purely organic growth and consistently high 8%+ engagement rate
- Established partnerships with regional federations
- Created a trusted network of volunteer handlers across the country
- Received recognition at competitions from people who discovered us through social media
Lifter Impact
The real measure of our success comes from the lifters themselves:
- "Alex stepped in to handle me at All Englands. I had two goals: to total PB and to try pull for the win. Alex helped me achieve both of those goals perfectly... I'd recommend Handl to anyone needing a handler regardless of your ability or previous competition experience!"
- "I couldn't have got through the competition without Handl's help, as in retrospect, I didn't really know what I was doing as it was my first comp... I now feel that I learnt a great deal from the day overall."
- "The stellar handling enabled me to keep an empty head and just lift on the day, enabling my successes. Very knowledgeable and well versed with stressful comps. Most importantly, lovely people."
Anete.Lusina
B2B SaaS content writer. 🤍 No-code products.
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B2B SaaS content writer. 🤍 No-code products.
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pachkov.pro development