Web 2.0 Community Building
Eight key points for building a Web 2.0 Community (Libert, 127):
- Lead from the rear. Provide direction and then stand back. Let the crowd lead.
- Know when to step in. You'll know when you have to take action. You just have to pay attention.
- Form a club of like-minded people. Start with, for instance, satisfied customers.
- Don't even try to hide. You're going to make errors. Admit them, fix them - and move on.
- It's never going to be perfect. The coders will continue to improve things. Editing may take forever. (Here's a hint: late in the process, take control of the editing. It has to end somewhere).
- Stir things up. A little bit of heat in a discussion makes the out-put stronger. Make sure you have a pretty good idea where folks stand.
- Here's my favorite: Always say "Thank you." Pretty easy. I am amazed about how many people forget this simple step.
- Don't encourage folks to pass through. Figure out how to engage them in what you are doing.
Final comments: if you are going to create a Web 2.0 project, don't let the crowd decide what your mission is. Decide, then invite folks to help out. Otherwise, you'll waste time you can't afford to waste.
Not only is it fashionable right now to build Web 2.0 communities, it just makes sense. Give it a try.
Libert, Barry and Jon Spector. We Are Smarter the Me. How to Unleash the Power of Crowds in Your Business. Wharton School Publishing. 2008.