Building Blocks
The Essentials of
Community Building
by Mack Fogelson
with

http://monotremu.blogspot.de/2012/04/blog-post.html
Building a Community

is a
better way
to build a business.
@MACKFOGELSON
Building a Community

is not about
the numbers
It’s about an engaged audience.
@MACKFOGELSON
The Key
T
P

This indicates a resource
This indicates a pro-tip
This indicates a page number in our guide
http://etsy.me/1b10Y1P

@MACKFOGELSON
The Truly Monumental Guide
to Building Online Communities

http://bit.ly/1bkMNru
@MACKFOGELSON
The Stuff
1
2
3

The tools
The process
The measurement
http://www.stack.com/2013/10/08/filling-healthy-snacks/

@MACKFOGELSON
The

Tools

http://www.cncmagicdesign.com/index_htm_files/1933.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
But Wait.
Goals not Tools.
Even though we’re
talking tools first,
always
start with goals.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/6e/a8/50/6ea850d40da379d86ef63baf0ea1dfbd.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
The Essential
Community Building Tools

P

32 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
content
SEO
social & PR
design & UX
cmgr

outreach
analytics
humans
email mktg
offline

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/401101910533970378/

@MACKFOGELSON
Your #1 goal with tools

Integrate
all the things.

@MACKFOGELSON
Content

Have purpose in your content.
Every piece of it tells your brand story.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/49/7a/d4/497ad47b801f64982a4ddbcbe40713a4.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
SEO

Make it easy for people to find your stuff.
Optimize the entire experience.
http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/843445e7-395b-4ebe-8276-d6414d0daa3e.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Social Media

Don’t put your focus on tools.
What are you trying to accomplish?
http://mashable.com/2014/01/04/twitter-cake-video/?crlt.pid=camp.EKojSnQj4884

@MACKFOGELSON
Design & UX

Provide the best possible experience.
Strong design & UX builds trust.
http://betweenstudio.tumblr.com/#18

@MACKFOGELSON
In-Person Efforts

Offline is the new online.
There’s real people behind your brand.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e4/d3/d1/e4d3d1d771535e564d5b030caca4ffb1.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Email Marketing

One of the best ways to
foster relationships and stay connected.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/145593000427300955/

@MACKFOGELSON
We’re big fans of MailChimp
for Email Marketing and stuff

http://blog.mailchimp.com/the-story-behind-the-mailchimp-billboards/

http://mailchimp.com
@MACKFOGELSON
Targeted Outreach

Just because you build it
doesn’t mean they’ll come.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/prestonchick/works/11371286-field-of-dreams

@MACKFOGELSON
Use Followerwonk
for targeted outreach

photo credit URL goes here

http://followerwonk.com
@MACKFOGELSON
Watch the
Friends not Followers Hangout

http://bit.ly/1fsj9Ft
@MACKFOGELSON
Analytics

Prove the value of your efforts.
Make sure proper tracking is in place.
http://dribbble.com/shots/1218212-Stats-iPhone-UI/attachments/163239

@MACKFOGELSON
Use TrueSocialMetrics
to calculate true social ROI

http://www.truesocialmetrics.com/how-it-works

http://www.truesocialmetrics.com
@MACKFOGELSON
Give Sprout Social a try
Their interface is real pretty

http://sproutsocial.com/features/social-media-analytics

http://sproutsocial.com
@MACKFOGELSON
Community Manager

Even for small communities.
She can scale integrated marketing efforts.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61095358@N00/3971291778

@MACKFOGELSON
Use Hootsuite
to manage your community

photo credit URL goes here

https://hootsuite.com
@MACKFOGELSON
I also heart Buffer
It’s great for scheduling

photo credit URL goes here

https://bufferapp.com
@MACKFOGELSON
But wait! There’s

More
Those are our staples.

@MACKFOGELSON
http://www.classic-play.com/bold-brilliant-beautiful-you/#more-26181

T

The best community building tool is YOU
@MACKFOGELSON
Always
Remember
Goals not Tools Integrate, don’t silo
for community
building success

@MACKFOGELSON
The

Process

http://plentyofcolour.com/2012/02/06/stepped-blocks-objects-of-desire/

@MACKFOGELSON
Community building in 5 Simple Steps
@MACKFOGELSON
Buckle up, kids
Here we go

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/6a/27/d0/6a27d099c047365a931edc4bdfc0c8e2.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
The Actual Process
of Building an Online Community

P

64 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
#1&2

Set Goals
& KPIs

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/94/9f/d2/949fd2748c5411f17571293949441209.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Setting
Community Building Goals & KPIs

P

71 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
http://www.coolhunting.com/culture/whole-larder-love-book.php

T

Set goals for your whole business
@MACKFOGELSON
Setting Goals (not Tools)
as the Foundation of Your Marketing

http://moz.com/blog/setting-goals-not-tools-as-the-foundation-of-your-marketing-whiteboard-friday

http://bit.ly/19SJRC7
@MACKFOGELSON
Goals on
3 Levels
1
2
3

Revenue goals
Brand goals
User Experience goals
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90163257/?cid=us|af|pinterest.com|90163257_20131220

@MACKFOGELSON
Set Integrated Marketing Goals & KPIs
with the SMART Framework

http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/01/06/5-top-tips-for-content-marketing-success/

http://bit.ly/1fsteSD
@MACKFOGELSON
SMART
Goals
Specific
Measureable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1026993/cheesy-guacamole-field-goal-bites

@MACKFOGELSON
Specific

10% increase in software subscriptions.
30% increase in form submissions.
Thought leader on a specific topic your space.
http://www.deceptivemedia.co.uk/photoblog/roundel.html

@MACKFOGELSON
Measureable

Assign Key Performance Indicators
for revenue, brand, and UX goals.
http://food-and-cook.blogs.elle.es/2012/02/28/coulant-de-chocolate-molten-chocolate-cake-2/

@MACKFOGELSON
Sample KPIs
Measuring revenue, brand and UX
conversation, amplification, applause
branded & non-branded search traffic
unique visits
return visits
page depth
revenue
micro conversions
decrease in bounce rate
decrease in funnel abandonment rate
@MACKFOGELSON
Measuring Community:
KPIs and Social Media Metrics for
Community Building

http://bit.ly/1dk8c5t
@MACKFOGELSON
Attainable

Set challenging yet attainable goals.
Use data to determine trends.
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/elephant

@MACKFOGELSON
Realistic

Are the goals you’ve set practical?
Verify for feedback & buy-in.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/81/6b/51/816b514662a3035b53712f8c6cf98c46.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Timely

What’s the proposed time frame?
Be realistic.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/8e/f8/90/8ef890bd0a9b7fb2300fb35d00e9e282.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/bc/3e/12/bc3e12d36b43c39340c3d67fcdddc8c0.jpg

T

Setting goals & KPIs helps with buy-in
@MACKFOGELSON
Got all

That?
I’ve got more.

@MACKFOGELSON
#3

Develop a
Strategy.

http://www.hdwallpapers4ipad.com/photo/food_backgrounds/coffee_beans/10-0-204

@MACKFOGELSON
Developing Your
Community Building Strategy

P

81 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
Start by building
the foundation

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4e/43/f9/4e43f9018aca327a51e603cbfefab250.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Assess all the Stuff

Audit the website. Conduct a content
inventory. Analyze the competition.
Optimize all the things.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/22/a3/2e/22a32eeb554c6aa2f715479896461d2d.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Identify your Audience

Figure out exactly who you’re talking to.
Develop your persona.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/426012445971073672/

@MACKFOGELSON
The Essential Persona Lifecycle:
Your Guide to Building and Using
Personas

http://www.amazon.com/The-Essential-Persona-Lifecycle-Building/dp/0123814189/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&qid=1386865294&sr=8-1&keywords=the+essential+persona+lifecycle

http://amzn.to/1kyvyd4
@MACKFOGELSON
Identify your
Community

Use questions to identify seeds.
http://thankgoditsfirstgrade.blogspot.com/2013/11/anchor-charts-galore.html?m=1

@MACKFOGELSON
How to Identify an
Online Community for your Business

http://moz.com/blog/identifying-online-community

http://bit.ly/17AdHfz
@MACKFOGELSON
Questions
For identifying community seeds
who do you respect in your industry
(companies & people)?
what industries would you like to serve?
who are your partners?
to which organizations do you belong?
what blogs (industry or otherwise) do you read?
whose advice do you follow when you make
business decisions?
what events do you attend?
@MACKFOGELSON
Develop your
Engagement Pipeline

Keep track of
all the people and things.
http://clui.org/newsletter/spring-2009/trans-alaska-pipeline

@MACKFOGELSON
The Mack Web
Engagement Pipeline Spreadsheet

http://bit.ly/1m3HrTN
@MACKFOGELSON
Hold a Strategy Jam

Use the idea bucket.
Come to the jam prepared.
@MACKFOGELSON
http://bashooka.com/inspiration/cool-creative-calendar-design-ideas-for-2014/

T

Plan strategy for 90 days not 12 months
@MACKFOGELSON
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c2/2a/0b/c22a0b5d5c7fb19c3fd34c8ca46f1bcf.jpg

T

Prioritize short-term wins to earn trust
@MACKFOGELSON
Do you need a

Snack?
You’re almost there.

@MACKFOGELSON
#4

Execute that
Strategy.

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/90/b6/c0/90b6c05943ef1a40ff193e69521fa7fe.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Executing
Your Community Building Strategy

photo credit URL goes here

P

97 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
Remember these

3

important things.
@MACKFOGELSON
Start Today

Don’t wait for perfect conditions
to build your community.
They don’t exist.
http://tshirtgroove.com/the-time-is-now-pigs-fly-t-shirt/

@MACKFOGELSON
Focus on Engagement

Remember it’s not about you.
Be customer and value-centric.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/fd/87/9d/fd879d2daebe9e26c55f8c85ef7b5b3d.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Building Community
with Value

photo credit URL goes here

http://bit.ly/17brhSX
@MACKFOGELSON
Make it a Team Effort

Great community building comes from
the stuff your whole team reads and writes.
http://www.janssensportsleadership.com/resources/team-building/

@MACKFOGELSON
The Mack Web Community Management
Knowledge Spreadsheet

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/4c/0d/48/4c0d4868b3775523a0d7d587a137395b.jpg

http://bit.ly/1a33JVZ
@MACKFOGELSON
You just have

One
more to go.

@MACKFOGELSON
#5

Analyze your
Efforts.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89190263/numbers-collage

@MACKFOGELSON
Analyze Your
Community Building Efforts

P

115 in the Community Building guide
@MACKFOGELSON
Always bring it back to

Goals
and KPIs, too
@MACKFOGELSON
Standups.
Have them weekly.
Keep everyone
accountable &
engaged.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ce_andersen/8530130427/

@MACKFOGELSON
Meetings.
Have them monthly.
So that you can
communicate progress
on goals.

@MACKFOGELSON
Make sure you’re using the

Data
to effect change.
h/t @dohertyjf

@MACKFOGELSON
And that’s the Community Building process
@MACKFOGELSON
Good work.
Glad you made it through.

http://www.nationalgeographic.co.jp/photography/photos/photo_gallery.php?GALLERY_VignVCMId=best-podjuly-2010&class=268435456#/sleepy-grizzly-bear-ga.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
Remember
this is a guide
Community building is different
for everyone

@MACKFOGELSON
The

Measurement

http://baenk.com/pink/measure-up/

@MACKFOGELSON
You’ll need to have the

buy-in
conversation.

@MACKFOGELSON
Communicate expectations on progress

90/6/12
and Return on Investment (ROI)
@MACKFOGELSON
90 days
Expectations on Progress & ROI
The entire team (internal & external) is moving forward as a
unified group (same page, working toward the same goals)
A routine has been established (everyone knows what’s being
done and who’s responsible)
We’re beginning to build a foundation and establish trust and
authority in the right places (with the right people)
@MACKFOGELSON
90 days
Expectations on Progress & ROI
We’re testing and experimenting in all channels to determine
what’s working
We’re engaging with existing customers and leveraging other
existing audiences and communities on and offline

@MACKFOGELSON
6 months
Expectations on Progress & ROI
We’re continuing to test and experiment in all channels
Typically there is a noticeable increase in conversation,
amplification, applause, and social referral traffic
We now have a baseline of data illustrating trends

@MACKFOGELSON
6 months
Expectations on Progress & ROI
We’re expanding our audience and building reach through
strategic campaigns and targeted engagement
Outreach efforts begin to open up; we’ve established some
trust and authority that earns opportunities in the space

@MACKFOGELSON
12 months
Expectations on Progress & ROI
Momentum is becoming more natural; traffic has increased
consistently and social continues to build quality
relationships and present opportunities
The possibility of events and partnerships may open up (e.g.
speaking at conferences, collaboration with influencers and
partners)

@MACKFOGELSON
12 months
Expectations on Progress & ROI
We have year/year data available
We can use the trust we’ve established in the brand to begin
pushing endeavors by using more creative content, bigger
content, and asking more of our relationships

@MACKFOGELSON
Measurement
is a conversation
of value
https://www.onekingslane.com/product/12789/596055?f=pin#.TzqeTB1zUHk.pinterest

@MACKFOGELSON
The value you’re adding
to the entire brand.

http://greenwichroundup.blogspot.com/2011/09/090311-two-thumbs-up-to-temple-sholom.html

@MACKFOGELSON
See, Think, Do: A Content, Marketing,
Measurement Business Framework
by Avinash Kaushik

photo credit URL goes here

http://bit.ly/1aQ5d4F
@MACKFOGELSON
What “see” Means

Get your brand, products, and content in
front of your target customers
so that they can begin to trust you.
http://hofferphotography.com/search/nathan

@MACKFOGELSON
What “think” Means

Do such an incredible job with
the experience that customers
keep you in mind when it’s time to buy.
http://www.ellentv.com/2013/11/27/caption-this-cute-surprise/?crlt.pid=camp.pp8ubUDYh5dx

@MACKFOGELSON
What “do” Means

Only a small portion of users actually
ever fall into this category.
The experience must be everywhere.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/78742693458164024/

@MACKFOGELSON
Sample KPIs
Measuring revenue, brand and UX
conversation, amplification, applause
branded & non-branded search traffic
unique visits
return visits
page depth
revenue
micro conversions
decrease in bounce rate
decrease in funnel abandonment rate
@MACKFOGELSON
Our Experience with See, Think, Do:
a Reporting Framework

photo credit URL goes here

http://bit.ly/1dkBwIZ
@MACKFOGELSON
Proving

Community ROI

takes longer
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/390265123931003425/

@MACKFOGELSON
The

Wrap-up

http://loveprintstudio.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/paper-cloth-christmas-shop.html

@MACKFOGELSON
The Tools.
You, that’s right, YOU!
You’re the best
community building
tool you’ve got.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pepe50/4936874895/in/pool-417018@N22

@MACKFOGELSON
The
Process.
Goals not tools.
Always start from
goals and remember
this is about people.
http://serialthriller.com/post/56421167372/visualgraphic-typography-explorations-by-chris

@MACKFOGELSON
The

Measurement.
Communicate value.
Prioritize short-term
wins to earn trust.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43607507@N00/5429545004?rb=1

@MACKFOGELSON
Stuff
B

@mackwebteam
http://mackwebsolutions.com/blog

L http://bitly.com/bundles/mackwebsolutions/7
G

http://bit.ly/1bkMNru
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/60/4b/58/604b5826342aa6ee75dac1c8d6641c31.jpg

@MACKFOGELSON
More Stuff
B

@OpenView_Labs
http://labs.openviewpartners.com

@MACKFOGELSON

The Essentials of Community Building by Mack Fogelson