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Do Your Own PR has gathered together a team of experienced business authorities to bring you their expert tips on getting publicity for and growing your business.
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How To Foster Community
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by Adi Gaskell of www.webvideo4u.co.uk
The Internet culture has raised people's awareness of the importance of community. On the Internet people can find and communicate with others, anywhere in the world! So being a member of a community makes customers feel special and helps them take care of one another, whilst giving you the opportunity to learn much more about what they want and need.
Once you've decided to build a community there are a number of steps required:
Seduce Customers Into the Fold
The first step in building a community is letting customers know that there is one and that there's something there for them. For many consumer-based initiatives creating a sense of community is key to both attracting customers and keeping them. For Business to Business initiatives the best way to create a community is in customer support. It is human nature to help others so let your customers help each other and feel part of your companies community.
Let Customers "Strut Their Stuff"
This may be one of the most suprising aspects of community building. You need to find a ways to get customers to show off to one another. If you run the video poker application for instance, why not create a league table to let customers show off their prowess. Maybe even organise special tournaments or leagues. If you operate a live webcast you have people with common interests gathered in one place. By using one of our chat rooms you provide a facility for these customers to discuss the show afterwards and hang around your site.
Encourage Customers to Become Part of the "In Crowd"
People who have been part of a community for a long time begin to develop expectations about what they'll find each time they login. A culture is created and community members begin to feel a sense of ownership for the community. These members may well become upset if the community is going in directions they're not pleased with. The key to overcoming this is communication. Interact with your community on important issues regarding your website. Ask them to fill in polls on important issues, use our chat rooms to hold regular community meetings. Let them voice their opinions on policies that effect the community that they've become a part of.
Adi Gaskell has worked in the Internet industry for the last five years and is currently CEO of www.WebVideo4U.co.uk a streaming media development company.
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| Posted: 15/03/2005 13:11:16
Last Updated: 04/04/2005 14:16:08
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