This week we are discussing and building Module 5: Online Community Engagement Strategy and Skills as part of NTEN's We Are Media: Social Media Starter Kit for Nonprofits project. Here's the description:
An online community is an interactive group of people who are joined together by a common interest. Whether your organization creates its own branded social networking site, connects with people on blogs or sets up a presence on a larger online social networking site like Facebook, Digg, or YouTube, a critical factor for success is having an online community engagement strategy. An engaged online community can help your organization attract more traffic, loyal supporters, more content, more links, and other values. But it requires investing the time to build relationships with members (yes, even one-on-one interaction) or what we call "network weaving skills." This module covers the key touch points for developing an online community strategy and a look at network weaving skills.
Some of the inspiration for this module comes from Alexandra Samuel and her Bringing Your Community To Life workshop. Alexandra suggests that you offer incentives for participation. So, thanks to NTEN, we are offering prizes for participation - six lucky wiki contributors to Module 5 between now and August 3rd will have an opportunity to get a free copy of either Media Rules and Mobilizing Generation 2.0.
So, what do you have to do to get a free book? Between now and Sunday, August 3rd, answer one of the key discussion questions at the wiki.
- What questions do you need to ask to guide your online community building strategy?
- How do you encourage community participation?
- What are the best practices for network weaving (one-on-one interaction with your community members)?
It is super easy to participate. Share a couple sentences about your experience from your nonprofit organization, or point to an excellent resource and add a sentence to describe it. Be sure to include your name with a link to your email or web site next to your contribution. We'll pick six contributors randomly to receive a copy of Ben or Brian's awesome books.
What are you waiting for?
hi Beth,
I'm so glad my NetSquared presentation was a useful jumping-off point. I'll look forward to diving into the wiki!
Posted by: Alexandra Samuel | July 31, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Hi, I use lots of media newsletters. I also do more for non profit effort that are not online. I do work to get money and supplies for an Indian Reservation, many animal rescue sites and a couple of fair trade organization. I put articles in all of the area newspapers, have flyers made and take information to area churches. Thanks, Cindi
Posted by: Cindi | August 02, 2008 at 12:23 PM