Maartje Blijleven
Maartje Blijleven (1979) is a #1 bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and digital community strategist with over 20 years of experience working with leading brands such as Endemol, KLM, Peugeot, Deloitte, and Facebook. Known as the ‘queen of communities,’ she founded We Love Communities and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and professionals achieve success by building thriving online communities. She is also the founder of the Female Leaders Club, a business network for accomplished women leaders who are making an impact.
In September 2019, Maartje published her book: We Love Communities. Drawing on her own experience and dozens of interviews with founders of successful communities, she created a practical guide packed with real-world examples. The book became a hit even before its official launch, debuting at #1 on managementboek.nl!
Maartje speaks on topics including Communities (why they are essential for professionals today and how to leverage them to stay relevant as an individual, professional, or business), Creating Content with ChatGPT (a two-hour crash course on using AI to create engaging content without losing your authentic voice), and Female Leadership (the current state of women in leadership, why it matters, and examples of successful inclusive initiatives).
Maartjes talk stood out for its clarity and structure. She guided the audience through her points in a way that felt intentional and easy to follow. Even when the session had to be shortened due to timing, she stayed composed and adjusted seamlessly. Engagement was consistently strong because she actively pulled the audience in. Going forward, she could be a strong model for balancing expertise with approachability and for shaping presentations that fit both the tone and the pacing of the event.
–Wiljo Krechting, Manager Public Relations, Shopware AG
Some of Maartje’s keynote topics:
The Power of Communities: Strategic Community Building for Business Growth
Maartje Blijleven’s talk delves into the crucial role of community building in today’s digital age. With her extensive experience at top brands like KLM, Endemol, and Deloitte, she explores how online and offline communities can drive business outcomes. Maartje shares practical insights on creating and maintaining communities that foster genuine connections, trust, and loyalty. She emphasizes the importance of communities during digital transformation and AI advancements, offering practical strategies to use them for improved customer engagement, product co-creation, and brand loyalty. Perfect for marketing and communication professionals looking to harness the full potential of community building.
Happiness at Work Begins with Communities
In an era where 40% of adults are unhappy and companies struggle to attract and retain talent, Maartje offers practical insights and strategies to promote community building within organizations. With communities, companies create a stronger, more connected culture that attracts and retains both employees and customers. Discover how building a community-first culture can lead to deeper connections, loyalty, and a happier work life, resulting in a win-win-win situation for employees, employers, and customers. Includes practical steps to successfully implement a community-first strategy. Ideal for HR professionals and managers looking to strengthen their team and create a positive, supportive work environment to attract and retain talent.
AI Content Training: Boost Your Impact with ChatGPT and AI Tools
A dynamic and hands-on training where you’ll learn how to smartly leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to quickly create newsworthy content. Learn how to maintain your unique voice while efficiently producing blogs, newsletters, and social media posts. Both in text and visuals. Maartje demonstrates which prompts work well and provides practical tips for getting started with ChatGPT and other AI tools. Boost your visibility and reach without spending hours on content creation. Ideal for marketing and communication departments looking to optimize their content strategy.
Female Leaders United
In her keynote on female leadership and community building, Maartje Blijleven shares inspiring personal stories and current facts and figures to highlight the current state of female leadership. She emphasizes why it’s crucial to have women in leadership roles, discusses successful inclusive initiatives, and offers practical strategies for building strong networks. With the philosophy “lift as you grow,” Maartje encourages women to support each other and grow together, creating a future where female leaders thrive. Book Maartje for a session full of inspiration, insights, and concrete actions to promote female leadership.
“Maartje’s keynote was truly inspiring. The audience deeply connected with her story, and her practical tips were immediately useful. She seamlessly integrated our preparatory discussion into her talk, making it personal and giving us the feeling she had known our community for years. Professional, engaging, and highly skilled in online sessions.”
Tibby van Dijk, eTwinning, December 2020
Happiness at Work Begins with Communities – TEDx-style talk by Maartje Blijleven:
Maartje Blijleven keynote speaker at Facebook Community Meet-up:
Maartje at Crossmedia Café:
“Working with Maartje was an absolute pleasure! She moderated our annual Digital Out Of Home event for Exterion Media and IAB, attended by around 100 industry peers—professionals from digital and advertising agencies across the Netherlands, as well as IAB members, media agencies, and advertisers. Her preparation was outstanding, and during the event she brought energy, openness, and great interaction with the audience. She managed the large room with ease, sparked engaging conversations, and stayed right on schedule. If you’re looking for a professional, inspiring moderator, I can wholeheartedly recommend Maartje.”
Lilian Hemmelder, Marketeer at Exterion Media