Building online communities
Post on 17-Oct-2014
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Building Online Communities
Amanda Lewan
Writer & Storyteller
Amanda@michipreneur.com
www.michipreneur.com
www.amandalewan.com
Michigan Startups & Creatives
Niche online publication
Publishing news, startup stories, interviews, and resources
85 Michigan based businesses
109 Resources
Live coverage of tech and startup events
Tech, Retail, and Food
• An online community unites us. It serves as a way to connect and inform others with similar interests. As a storyteller, I believe in creating art and work that unites others.
• Michipreneur Team• Amanda Lewan, Editor & Community Manager• Marc Hudson, Web Developer• Noelle Sciarini, Contributor• Lauren Ebalt, Contributor• Kyle Pollock, Contributor
Our Community
Let’s Get Digital
A quick history on this digital publishing thing.
Today’s Top Sites1448 – Print Press Invented
1792 – Ben Franklin, Pennsylvania Gazette
1846 – Associated Press Founded
1833- 1900 – Journalism becomes “big business”
1900-1974 – Weekly magazines, broadcast
1965- 1995 – Conglomeration of news
1999- Blogger.com launched, online journaling
2004 – Facebook is founded
2006 – Twitter and micro blogging movement
2006- Buzzfeed founded
2014 – Where are we now? Content Marketing (aka Digital Marketing) Media
All businesses and individuals are now media.
Alexa Ratingtop news sites by traffic.Technoratimost popular blog list.
Content MarketingDigital Media Trends
Lists (Listicles) Click bate – Upworthy Titles “Buzzworthy” – Detroit $500 house story Shorter and shorter content Syndication sites/Roundups Visual content
Instagram Pinterest
Rise of content marketing for businesses/individuals Blogs as community watchdogs, leads for national news
stories, connections to the local PR as social media too Hybrid traditional + digital pieces
NYT’s Snow Fall
Businesses
• Amex Open Forum Blog
• Shinola Blog + Storytelling
• General Electric – 6 Second Science Vines
• Ford Social
• Chalkfly Blog
Individuals
• Danielle Laporte
• Justin Musk
Starting Your Online Community
Content guidance for getting started, and growing.
Getting StartedValues To Grow By
1. Authenticity -- Is there a human connection?
2. Personality – Do I want to pay attention?
3. Reliability – Are you trustworthy and consistent?
4. Awareness – Are you listening?
5. Respect – Are you responding?
Community: Who are you trying to serve? What’s your larger story? What are they looking for online? What problems do you solve? How do you connect them with?
My larger story: grounded in place: growing Michigan’s creative community, uniting others in Detroit
1. Audience
2. Content Focus
3. Channels
4. Management
5. Reporting
Content Guidelines – create and identify the voice for your brand.
Writing Tips Blogging Basics – Types of Posts
Lists
Storytelling
Tips & advice
Case studies & examples
Interviews
Roundups (news/resources)
Guest posts
Video/visuals
In depth industry stories
Brainstorm
Subscribe to industry blogs/news
Create writing habit – weekly, daily, morning, night
Make it fun
Set deadlines
Think about timely, newsworthy links, or connections across industries
Write low energy posts when busy – longer/more in-depth when free
Take feedback kindly from editors, give clear, kind feedback to your writers
Think about seasonal stories
Resources Social Media
Voice of your business online
Social media is a part of your overall marketing strategy
Always be responsive, consistent
Use visuals
Encourage sharing, thank others
Get creative: monthly Tweet Chat, rewards, contests, user created content
Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Social Sprout, Recite, Tweet reach,
Facebook’s Business marketing
Twitter lists
Wordpress
Read up on marketing: Hubspot Blog, Content Marketing Institute, Social Media Examiner, Mashable, Copyblogger, Post Advertising Blog
• 33 Resources for your Startup (Michipreneur)
New favorite resource: free infographic templates
Growing Your Community
Echoing in a chamber of Tweets.
Content PartnersStrategies for Growing
Establish strategic content partners
Guest post for yourself/biz
Measure content and all posts, increase what you see working “lean startup approach”
Grow email subscribers & social following
eBook content or free content to download
Reward social sharing, check ins, etc
Create really, really great content that includes storytelling. People remember stories that emotionally move them.
Established similar audience
Regularly share, support online
In person & online relationships
Help others first
StorytellingStanding Out
Use storytelling strategies for your brand/business Theme, emotion, scene
Craft Sharable Stories
Best tweet examples
“At the core of a person’s life is a narrative. This is why, if you’re trying to convey a message, simple, relatable storytelling will enable your audience to see themselves through the eyes of the people you are trying to help. This is the beginning of empathy. The story is the glue that bind together the human experience; it’s the device through with both understanding and a desire to help emerge.” – Randi Zuckerburg
From a Community Builder’s Journey
Have a mentor in your life
Be creative – try new things, enjoy
Don’t do it all on your own – talk about your ideas, get emotional support, get feedback
Don’t be afraid to get out in person too
Always thing of ways to serve your community
Don’t give up until your ready
Questions?
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