The idea of learning how to effectively contribute and lead online communities is a skill that I believe to be essential for my professional development. I have been involved with online communities as a member and a community manager (in one case). I recognize that I need to develop a better operational understanding of what it takes to not only contribute to but nurture an online community. Here are some of the questions I have about online communities:
- How to attract people to participate rather than merely watch online discussions?
- What should a community leader (i.e., community manager, moderator, facilitator) expect to do in the early stages of an online community?
- What should community managers expect once a community has been established? What are the maintenance activities involved?
- Should communities always expect to bring on moderators and establish varying levels of membership or can communities remain fairly “simple” and still be successful?
I have been an advocate of social networks to assist with establishing “real world” connections among expat communities. I would like to learn more about how people perceive social communities and which ones are the most valuable (depending on the audience).
Lastly, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to connect with niche audiences in order to encourage their participation in an online community (e.g., forum, social network, blog, podcast, etc.)
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These are quite deep questions Sean.
Hi Sean,
Things are a little quite here then… hope you’re getting a post ready for the BIG question
what is an online community then? Some good banter on the forum, even better posts on some of the blogs.
While cutting it a bit close to the wire, I did manage to comment on another blog and post my own thoughts about community and its definition prior to the first August 18 session.