In addition to founding and leading Chicago-based Duo Consulting, Michael Silverman has headed up a number of online community development projects for 15 years. He just launched the book on online communities, Capturing Community: How to Build, Manage and Market Your Online Community.
A while back, when I was researching my book on online community, I came across a fascinating story. It’s one that is rich with lessons for content marketers and demonstrates why editorial content is just the tip of the iceberg if you’ve already built a following.
When one blogger created a forum-based community for her readers, nearly 16,000 readers signed up for her community in the first day alone. That community still thrives nearly four years later.Continue Reading
Community managers are often faced with the perplexing task of getting people to talk.
Yes, the first step in developing a thriving online community is implementing communication tools like forums and messaging capabilities. The second step is seeding your community with content and members. Members may be friends, influencers, enthusiasts or professionals looking to increase the value of their brands. If you’ve added communication tools to a blog or other publication, you may already have the seeds of community planted.Continue Reading
One of the biggest challenges you will face when you launch your online community is getting the right audience engaged. The last thing you want to present to potential members is a blank page.
Seeding your community with content and members before and right after you launch will help you present the façade of activity in the early stages of your community’s development. It has worked for some of the most successful communities on the web, including Viewpoints and LitReactor.Continue Reading
Feel like a slave to editorial content? Consider turning your content marketing vehicle into an online community. Let your audience generate content for you. All you need to do is put tools in place for communication and you’re off to the right start.
An online community relies on a combination of editorial content, user-generated content and networking. It’s the definitive place for information and communication around your topic.Continue Reading
