Community 101
How to Grow an Online Community
By: Robyn Tippins, Miranda Marquit
Published: October 7, 2010
Format: Paperback, 100 pages
ISBN-10: 1600051529
ISBN-13: 978-1600051524
Publisher: Happy About
"It's difficult to believe, but a debate exists about whether or not online, or 'virtual' communities are 'real'", write community advocate Robyn Tippins, and professional blogger and freelance writer Miranda Marquit, in their concise and information packed book Community 101: How to Grow an Online Community. The authors describe not only what online communities are, but also what it really means to build community.
Robyn Tippins (photo left) and Miranda Marquit recognize the importance of building community, whether that community exists online or in the bricks and mortar world. The authors point out that many of the tried and true community building techniques from the offline world can be adapted effectively to the web. They also present the new rules of online building that are different from those utilized offline. A community is much more than a static website, but includes dynamic conversations with others. Through blogs, social media, and online forums, the landscape for community building has many new features. Understanding these visibility enhancing tools, that build relationships with potential community members, creates an opportunity for business growth. The authors caution the business person to look beyond this simple return on investment equation, and consider different measurements of success.
Miranda Marquit (photo left) and Robyn Tippins understand that one of the keys, to successful community building, is knowing that people like to feel as though they belong to something important. Through careful nurturing of an online community, the authors suggest that a business can create fans and supporters. They are more than customers. They feel they are part of the brand and the company. They form the community. The authors caution, however, that the members loyalty will begin with the community, and may not include the brand or company at first. Failing to listen to the fans, and create conversation with them, can also result in the community falling apart. To help build a fan filled community, the authors share valuable and practical advice for creating and maintaining a strong and healthy community. The authors emphasize five areas of successful community building:
* Use straight talk
* Use your community members for positive change
* Visibility
* Tweak
* Remember the Golden Rule
For me, the power of the book is how Robyn Tippins and Miranda Marquit combine the theory of successful online community building, with practical advice for creating and maintaining that community. The authors present a solid format for developing online communities through a combination of ideas from the offline world with the new rules of internet based communities. The book contains the nuts and bolts of establishing an online community presence, as well as demonstrating why that community is so critical to success. The authors share concepts that include being seen online, adding new community members, caring for those members, and for avoiding the pitfalls that can destroy an otherwise well run community.
Miranda Marquit and Robyn Tippins follow their own advice, and offer straight talk on the mistakes that are made regularly, by both novice and experienced community builders. The authors also provide a solid theoretical framework as to why community is important, and what community really means in an online context. The book contains some very helpful case studies that underline the message shared by the author in each chapter. For business people unsure about the role of social media in general, and for community building in particular, the authors provides handy tips for using social media the right way. At the same time, the authors point to what not to do with social media, including advice on not spreading spam or begging blatantly for links. Overall, the book delivers on its promise.
I highly recommend the useful and well organized book Community 101: How to Grow an Online Community by Robyn Tippins and Miranda Marquit,to anyone serious about building online community the right way. This book teaches both the first time and the long time online community manager how to build a vibrant community, filled with highly motivated fans.
Read the practical and meaningful book Community 101: How to Grow an Online Community by
Miranda Marquit and Robyn Tippins, and discover the power of online community for creating fans and evangelists. The authors show you how online community is not only the now of business, but also your company's future as well.
