Virtual Communities: Build Yours!

© Karen A. Davis 2011 What is a Virtual Community? ? A social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals. The Virtual Community by Howard Rheingold “ People who use computers to communicate, form friendships that sometimes form the basis of communities, but you have to be careful to not mistake the tool for the task and think that just writing words on a screen is the same thing as real community." – Howard L. Rheingold

© Karen A. Davis 2011 ...and Social Networking? Individuals or organizations connected by some interdependency, such as friendship, business exchanges, likes, dislikes or beliefs. Social Media supports the human need for social interaction using Internet- and web-based technologies, changing broadcasts from one-to-many to many-to-many.

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Politics: 2008 Election
Tell your story.
What are you doing?
Find common ground and make a connection.
Share your history (minimally).
Determine how tell it and to whom.

Offer a solution.
How will you solve the problem?
Why should your audience choose you over someone else or another solution?

Become a community organizer.
Build a network of friends.
They’ll work on your behalf.
Listen to their story.
How can you help, support and encourage them?

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business
Tell your story to the world.
Easy in 2011
Inexpensive
Build relationships online that lead to problem-solving and action offline.

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business: Use New Media It’s close to free! Low barrier to entry (you = your competition) If you’ve got access to a computer or cell phone, let’s get going! “ The conversation is happening with or without you.” - David Meerman Scott

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business: Use New Media Meet and retain clients and collaborators: Interact Respond to stories Build familiarity and trust Share information: learn, educate, collaborate Motivate your audience to action Respond to stories Build familiarity and trust Motivate your audience to action

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business & Facebook
More than 750 million active users
50% of active users log on in a given day
“ Friend” people you know  Connect with people they know

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business & Twitter 175 million registered users 56 million accounts on Twitter follow 8 or more accounts; 38 million accounts follow 16 accounts; 12 million follow 64. Post messages in 140 characters or less Link (direct) people to your other sites http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-how-many-users-does-twitter-really-have-2011-3

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business & YouTube
75% or more of the US Internet audience has viewed a YouTube video
Create a video using digital photos and music
Use your cell phone or digital camera

© Karen A. Davis 2011 Your Business & Linkedin
Over 100 million users
Industry specific
Join in or lead discussions
Answer questions

© Karen A. Davis 2011 CONTACT
[email_address]
Presentation available on:
www.linkedin.com/in/karenadavis
www.facebook.com/karenanitadavis
www.slideshare.net

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Virtual Communities: Build Yours!

by Building Industry Resources on Dec 14, 2011

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Virtual Communities: Build Yours! — Presentation Transcript