The document outlines key elements needed to build a successful online community or website. It recommends having: 1) clear purpose and goals for the community to give it a reason to exist; 2) planning for proper preparation, scaling, and evolution; 3) guidelines and moderation to keep discussions constructive; and 4) ongoing events and ways for members to participate to keep the community active and growing. Building a strong online community requires focus on its members and allowing the community to develop over time.

1. Your Web Site Is a Party Waiting to Happen Lee LeFever Principal, Common Craft

2. Community Opportunity

3. Changing Perceptions Improved Tools New Opportunities

5. Communities and Parties Are Similar

7. Your Party Needs A Reason To Be

9. Purpose is Absolutely Necessary Serve a Need, Address a Problem Set Goals and Share Progress Identify What’s Related

10. Your Party Needs Planning

11. Planning: Preparation for Scale Simple and Flexible Personas: Specific Types of People Prepare for Evolution

12. Your Party Needs a Place

13. No One Wants a Ghost Town

14. Match Environment to Community Cozy is Good - Start Small and Build to Needs Match Purpose to Environment Keep it Clean – No Broken Windows

15. Your Party Needs a Host

17. Have a Host or Community Manager Accountability and Direction “ Middleman” Between Community and Business Works with Designers and Developers

18. Your Party Needs Rules

20. Your Community Needs Guidelines Terms of Service – Needed, But Different Helps with Enforcement Provides Common Foundation Must Be Clear (fun helps too!)

21. Your Party Needs A Bouncer

22. Beware the Trolls - They Are Toxic

23. Bounce Trolls and Spammers with Care Best Policy For Trolls: Ignore Them Direct Contact Can Help Resolution Enable Your Community to Help Consider a Forum For Selling or Flaming

24. Your Party Needs An Invitation

28. Members Invite Members Let Them Take Community With Them Be Explicit About Inviting Friends Consider APIs for New Directions

29. Your Party Needs Introductions

32. Member Profiles are Key Learn from Social Networking Member Matching (tags?) Enable Customization

33. Your Party Needs Time To Develop

34. Communities Take Time Focus on Who IS There Make Decisions Based on Feedback

35. Your Party Needs An Event

38. Bring People Together For a Bit Think Offline Too Invite a Special Guest Contests, Giveaways

39. Your Party Needs People To Pitch-In

42. Mobilize Your Community Share Your Needs, Problems, Thoughts Make Helping Easy and Fun They Want to Help!

43. Your Party Needs Multiple Ways to Participate

46. Move Beyond Discussion Offer a “Gateway Drug” Blog? Wiki? Ratings, Votes, Survey, Poll Social Networking – Friends and Groups

47. Your Party Needs Variety

48. People are Different – Express It Give Charter Members Special Badges Give New Members a Special Place Match up New and Old

49. Most Important Ingredient: You

50. Toby M : http://www.flickr.com/photos/48089670@N00/344310907/ Zach Klein: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachklein/37391709/ SPR Bert: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superbert/111793054/ Tracy Hunter: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyhunter/140042679/ VanessaPR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilcrabbygal/347532016/ Cozy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cozy/318236097/ Basheem: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bastian/235701826/ Powerbooktrance: http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerbooktrance/235607744/ Russelljsmith: http://www.flickr.com/photos/russelljsmith/9486459/ Glasgows: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgows/342067353/ Psychedelys: http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychedelys/129472964/ Dervish: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirvish/6937128/ Glynnis: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glynnis/135603867/ Mdumloa98: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdumlao98/121045851/ Caitlinburke: http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitlinburke/101973007/ Franky Baby: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankybaby/391024654/ Molly Cakes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mollycakes/222385914/ Thanks!

51. Thanks! Lee LeFever Principal, Common Craft www.commoncraft.com [email_address] leelefever on skype, etc.