Growing Successful Online Communities

Growing Successful Online Communities
Angela Connor
Author, “18 Rules of Community Engagement”
May 19, 2010

1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
2. a locality inhabited by such a group.
3. a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists
4. a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.
Community Defined

5. Ecclesiastical a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.
6. Ecology . an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.
7. joint possession, enjoyment, liability, etc.: community of property.
8. similar character; agreement; identity: community of interests.
9. the community, the public; society: the needs of the community.
Community Defined

Make connections?
Solve problems?
Steady increase in membership?
Crucial conversations?
Move to action?
Repeat visitors?
Generate buzz?
What is your Goal?

What is your Goal?
“..where residents can post problems, debate solutions, decide on a course of action.”
“…encourage users to contribute content and share links to information.
“…make their voices heard on issues of water quality.”
“To help strengthen community dialogue.”
“…creating an in-depth public interest online news service with discussion forums.”
“…discussions about the state’s government and public policy.”

Healthcare Communities and Forums

If you build it will they come?

People will participate in my community because…

Our brand is huge
People love our products
I’m a big-time popular highly paid executive
We paid a fortune to have it built
It has great features
We’ve added Facebook Connect
We’re better than everyone else
None of these will sustain a community.
Wrong answers

Every community is different

The Road to Engagement

Ask Questions
“What are your top concerns about…?”
“What should we do about…?”
“What will happen when/if…?
Provide useful information and content
Live chats, Expert interviews, access to documents
Make it Personal
Complain
Conversations & Dialogue

What is your Goal?
“..where residents can post problems, debate solutions, decide on a course of action.”
“…encourage users to contribute content and share links to information.
“…make their voices heard on issues of water quality.”
“To help strengthen community dialogue.”
“…creating an in-depth public interest online news service with discussion forums.”
“…discussions about the state’s government and public policy.”

Stroke a few egos
“Loved your recent post…”
“What great insight.”
“Your topics are always relevant and timely.”
Showcase and Acknowledge good work
Share across other social channels
Ask for Help
User-Generated Content

Make members feel “special”

Make connections
Accept and respond to criticism
Use your influence
Seek expert advice and opinions
Make small talk
Get to know the community

Common Community Killers
Rudeness
Arguing with visitors
Stealing ideas, refusing to credit others
Ignoring comments
Being pushy and pompous
Unresponsiveness
Stale content

Nurturing
Managing the Conversation

Success Stories

Who owns this community? Whose job is it to make this a living, breathing, interesting and active community?
Ask yourself….

Takeaways
Give people what they want
Be present
Talk to people WHERE they are
Become a user advocate

Angela Connor
Twitter: @communitygirl
Blog: Online Community Strategist
http://blog.angelaconnor.com
LinkedIn: Angela Connor
Google voice: 919-374-0627
Email: angeladconnor@gmail.com
Stay in Touch!

Growing Successful Online Communities

by Angela Connor on May 20, 2010

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Growing Successful Online Communities — Presentation Transcript