Comments on: A pre-launch checklist for your new online community

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:41:20 +0000

Hi, I’d have to agree with Riley, there is not enough thought being put into relationship management. The quick buck seems to be the mantra. long term relationship building and trust development seems to be abandoned for the lure of fast gold. It may be fast but it won’t be long term.

By: Riley Summerlin

Riley Summerlin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:11:20 +0000

I like your mention of not using a “top down” approach to building relationships… that seems to be a big flaw in a lot of online community building and in social media marketing. Trying to force an end result without adequate grass-roots relationship building is a surefire way to create failure.

By: Garrison Wynn

Garrison Wynn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:05:52 +0000

This has given me some great ideas for starting a community for new public speakers. Of course there already exist toastmasters and local NSA chapters. But I believe there is a real need for creating this type of community for easy access to what works, what doesn’t and learning from the experience of those that have already “been there and done that”.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:58:46 +0000

The first site I worked at… years ago… was a total failure. I mean TOTAL FAILURE!!! I didn’t know the community hadn’t done my research and just failed miserably at getting new members. Now it is a bit easier to find early adopters through social media…but I still don’t always reach my goals. But now I will change mid-course if the ship is sinking.

By: Ed Harris

Ed Harris — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:17:51 +0000

That’s just it. I know it’s a lot of work and right now I only get 5 hours of sleep. I would love to have someone take up the responsibility of setting up the Forum and in fact have someone in mind.

The other thing I have learned is you need to find a few good moderators as well.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:49:36 +0000

And the most important check-list… make 100% sure that you’re prepared for the long, hard work ahead of you.

There’s no point starting a community, working your fingers to the bone, only to give up on it 3 months later because you’re not getting the results you wanted.

I’ve been at it 2 years now and not quite at the stage I’m wanting because of several set backs I’ve had over the past year. But you’ve got to be prepared to keep up the hard work and the standards.

By: Martin Reed - Community Manager

Martin Reed - Community Manager — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:27:55 +0000

Brenda – Or maybe what you’re doing isn’t exciting? A thought worth considering.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:29:54 +0000

Great list….my problem right now is figuring out how to get the early adopters excited about what we’re doing though! Maybe they’re not the right early adopters??

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:28:44 +0000

Bookmarked, printed and taped to my head. This is a fantastic list! (We’re just getting started so will refer to it often).

Cheers!

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:49:29 +0000

I’ve started a few online communites, and I heartily agree that opening your forum for members is not the final stage of community building! You can have the best idea, and your forum can be filling a very real and specific need, and it still may fail. I think if you go in with the realization that you will need to put in a lot of work at the outset, it will save you some aggravation!