Ethics of digital engagement: How far is too far in the quest for attention?
If you’re a regular reader, then you know I’m a big fan of TED Talks. A recent episode titled “Manipulation” got me thinking about the community manager’s role in the …
Community manager toolkit: Scale your community with volunteers
At some point you may have found yourself at work long after everyone else has left, the fluorescent lights buzzing above your head, and the sound of a lonely unanswered …
Three signs your association is ready for an online community
While I may be biased toward online communities–I think lots of organizations can find ways to incorporate community into their business strategies–I will also be the first to tell you …
Retired members make great association community managers
I was getting coffee with a friend of mine, and she was telling me that her association is at the point where it needs a community manager, but they don’t …
Levels of order in online community: The art of banning users
I was listening to Community Signal (available wherever fine podcasts are sold) and Patrick O’Keefe’s conversation with famed criminologist George Kelling about applying the Broken Windows theory to community management. …
Finding your calling as an online community consultant
In today’s internet-fueled economy, it’s easier than ever to find a niche in the workforce and fill it, which is essentially the definition of what consultants do. And frankly, in …
Launching an online community or discussion forum: First you need a plan.
Before you launch an online community or discussion forum for your organization, you need a plan, but traditional web strategies often don’t take into account the nuances of building an online community.