This document provides tips on how to build active online communities. It discusses initiating discussions through open and closed questions on specific topics to encourage participation. The document recommends regular events and activities both online and offline to engage members as well as creating different types of content about the community and its members. It stresses the importance of understanding social dynamics and giving priority to stimulating activity over static content.
Higher Logic Learning Series - Learn How to Build Bigger, Better and More Active Online Communities (04-24-14)
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4. NEW! ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVITY
Five lucky attendees will receive an
autographed copy of Millington’s
book: Buzzing Communities.
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2. Email your tip to
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5.
6. How To Build Bigger, Better,
And More Active Communities
Richard Millington
www.feverbee.com
richard@feverbee.com
@RichMillington
Higher Logic Webinar
18. 5 elements of soliciting
useful knowledge exchange
1) Who asks the question?
2) What is the subject line?
3) The type of discussion
4) The content of the message
5) Number of replies
6) Frequency of posts
19. If you want an answer, ask a question
(Mix open/closed questions)
22. Types of questions
• Open questions (“What do you think about.....?”)
• Closed questions (“Do you think that {x} is {y}?”)
• Specific questions (“How much did you spend
on....?”)
• Hypothetical questions (“What would you do if....?”)
23. Benefits of specific/closed questions
• Easier to answer
• Less social risk of wrong answer format
• Everyone can answer
• Leads to participation in more difficult questions
24. There are three types of discussions
1) Conveying Information
2) Bonding
3) Status-Jockeying
31. Simple Bonding/Status Questions
• How did you become interested in...?
• What was your biggest achievement...?
• What is your average day like?
• What would you change if .... ?
32. Content of the message
1) Immediate to the point
2) Short, simple, words and sentences
3) Call to action (ask who/why)
4) Length of post (100 to 250 words)
5) Include your own testimonial (why you, why now?)
33. • Respond within 24 hours
• Acknowledge unique/useful material, but...
• Avoid generic terms “thank you for the question”
• Ask a clarifying question (or two)
• Add your own thoughts/opinions
• Mention other members by name who might have an
opinion
• Nudge members to participate
• Turn the discussions into resources/columns/documented
# of replies: sustaining discussions
37. Action Points
1) Plan out what discussions you will initiate over the next
month (at least 1 every 2 days).
2) Turn popular self-disclosure discussions into sticky
threads.
3) Review popular communities and steal their best
discussions.
44. Types of content
• Announcements
• News
• Latest events
• New members
• Latest/Most popular discussions
• Member contributions
• News about members
• Updates on a relevant issu
46. Types of content
• Classifieds
• Jobs
• Buying/Selling
• Promotions & Advertisements
• Statements from the community
• Misc (video, audio, links etc...)
47. Day Activity
Monday Opinion Feature
Tuesday Guest column
Wednesday Live-chat promo
Thursday Feature Interview
Friday Job/Event of the week
Saturday Welcome newcomers
Sunday Summary of the week
62. Action Points
• Remove/combine quiet/inactive categories, groups
and features
• Dissipate activity when it becomes too
concentrated
• Identify and encourage friendship groups
• Identify popular topics and build a group/place
for that
• Promote these groups (and have people
responsible for them)
• Position activity as the focal point of your page (not