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Nov
09

Lets Talk Chat About ….

By | Uncategorized

3 Comments

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Whether you run a branded community, a tech community, or a community about recipes it's always a great idea to have an off-topic area for your members to chat and get to know each other. In this section they can have a little fun, chit-chat about everyday stuff or topical events, and slowly start to connect and build relationships with each other. Here are some ideas of conversation starters that you could seed the off-topic area with to get them going, or even discussions you could periodically start yourself to … [Read more...]

May
18

An Example of Doing it Right – Aberystwyth University

By | community, Online Community Management

1 Comment

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It's so easy for us to highlight the cases we come across where community or social media is "done wrong"  and to pick holes in those examples. Yes we all need to understand and learn about doing it wrong so that we can avoid those pitfalls ourselves, but I feel that examples of "doing it right" are just as important. For instance, I've been taking horse riding lessons for the past year, (I know at my grand old age of 45 ... oh blimey did I just type that out loud ... shhh don't tell anyone) and when I'm … [Read more...]

Mar
28

How to Behave On an Internet Forum

By | forum

3 Comments

I know it's an oldie, but it's a goodie, and many of you may not have seen it, so it will be new to you. This gives me a chuckle because having run a forum for 11 years I can totally relate to it. Enjoy Internet: Useful Tips: How To Behave On An Internet Forum   … [Read more...]

Aug
06

Thinking of growing a mustache …. what do you think?

By | community, complaints, issues, manager, Online Community Management, tweet

3 Comments

hitler

Following on from one of my recent tweets, I thought you would like to see this lovely pic of me. Said troll came back to re-register today in order to let me know how he felt about the fact he was banned from the community. I actually think I look very fetching with a mustache and love the way he's combined the HItler reference, with a more updated reference to a Suddam Hussein type person. Very current. So if anyone believed that I was exaggerating in this post when I mentioned you need a thick skin in this line … [Read more...]

Jun
04

Know When To Step Back

By | community, discussion, issues, manager, members

2 Comments

dont do it!

I've just sat back and watched what could have become an issue, turn into something positive. I observed, I read, and most importantly, I took a step back to see where the conversation was going. If I had stepped in too soon it may have turned out differently and I could have made a bad situation worse. We had a member discussing suicide on the forum. The first post looked worrying and the second post more so. I was watching from the wings carefully, but something told me that my position as the community's … [Read more...]

May
12

Rose-Tinted Specs?

By | community, job, Online Community Management, position

4 Comments

specs

I frequently come across an article that states that the Online Community Manager position is an up-and-coming role, with some even suggesting that if one "Tweets" or uses online communities then anyone can do the job. But that's really not the case. It takes a special kind of person, with a particular mindset. And not everyone is suited to that. For instance I couldn't be a nurse or an accountant just because I balance my own books, or have nursed my son when he was sick. (I know, extreme examples, but you get my … [Read more...]

Oct
07

Newbie Alert

By | community, discussion, members

3 Comments

How many times have you taken the time to stop and examine your community through the eyes of a newbie? I must admit to having dropped the ball on this of late. I think I had neglected to remember what it was like to feel like a newbie until I started some college classes recently. Everything was new, and strange and I had no idea what was going on. The first day of my International Business class I must have looked like a deer caught in car headlights lights as the professor loaded us up with rules, guidelines and … [Read more...]