Comments on: Building Community at a trade show http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/02/15/building-community-at-a-trade-show/ Community Strategist Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:41:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: tgwilson http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/02/15/building-community-at-a-trade-show/#comment-648 tgwilson Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:35:38 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/02/15/building-community-at-a-trade-show/#comment-648 So, what was the answer to the question, "Are you going to participate in existing communities?" I'm increasingly finding myself asking that question internally and with our clients. Or, really, asking if that question is <em>applicable</em>. Is there already a vibrant community (or communities) that your prospects are active in? If so, are you adding value by starting your own, or are you just throwing up a competing world that, at best, makes their world more complicated? Would you be better suited to, for instance, start a blog, but spend as much time authoring content there as you do authoring content in the existing online communities? There are absolutely cases where a company is truly blazing new ground -- pulling some sort of a "blue ocean"/"disruptive technology" move and, therefore, neeting to launch an online community to foster early adopter interactions and engagement. But that's the minority of cases. Much, much better (and lower cost, and lower risk) to jump on board with an existing online community if it is already active and vibrant! Right? I love the question! So, what was the answer to the question, “Are you going to participate in existing communities?” I’m increasingly finding myself asking that question internally and with our clients. Or, really, asking if that question is applicable. Is there already a vibrant community (or communities) that your prospects are active in? If so, are you adding value by starting your own, or are you just throwing up a competing world that, at best, makes their world more complicated? Would you be better suited to, for instance, start a blog, but spend as much time authoring content there as you do authoring content in the existing online communities?

There are absolutely cases where a company is truly blazing new ground — pulling some sort of a “blue ocean”/”disruptive technology” move and, therefore, neeting to launch an online community to foster early adopter interactions and engagement. But that’s the minority of cases. Much, much better (and lower cost, and lower risk) to jump on board with an existing online community if it is already active and vibrant! Right?

I love the question!

]]> By: Angie Pedersen http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/02/15/building-community-at-a-trade-show/#comment-647 Angie Pedersen Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:29:18 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/02/15/building-community-at-a-trade-show/#comment-647 Very interesting! I would have liked to attend that event with Taunton. Did they mention they need any sort of blog coordinator?? :) Sounds like you had a great show - I'm so glad to hear it, and so happy to hear your efforts are being noticed and recognized by the "brass". That's so fabulous. It's great to hear when someone so genuine really succeeds in our industry. Very interesting! I would have liked to attend that event with Taunton. Did they mention they need any sort of blog coordinator?? :)

Sounds like you had a great show - I’m so glad to hear it, and so happy to hear your efforts are being noticed and recognized by the “brass”. That’s so fabulous. It’s great to hear when someone so genuine really succeeds in our industry.

]]>