PREAMBLE TO THE DISCUSSION:
PRESENTERS
* Ken Fisher – Ars Technica
* Alexis Ohanian – reddit.com
* Drew Curtis – Fark.com
* Erin Kotecki Vest – BlogHer Inc
DESCRIPTION
Many start blogs and social networking sites, but few build vibrant, self-sustaining communities. This panel explores some of the most successful ventures that grew independently and continue to grow today. Lessons learned, plans for the future will be discussed along with some best practices for those who seek to develop true communities.
TYRANNY OF THE WILL OF THE MINORITY
Drew Curtis coined “the tyranny of the will of the minority” to explain how the few in a community will try to dictate the tone and topic of the discussion to the majority. This drew a small hallelujah from me as my experiences in forums have reflected this. Interestingly, Alexis Ohanian later stressed the importance of trying to understand the voice of a sometimes often barely audible “silent majority”.
MODERATION
It was interesting to hear Alexis mention that comments need to be moderated in context of a greater discussion and not judged in an isolated moderation queue.
COMMUNITY IS A HOUSE PARTY
Drew Curtis believes in managing his Fark community like a house party. Come for fun but abuse the decor and you’re out.
BAD COMMUNITY MANAGERS
They tell rather than ask
They don’t inform the community of coming updates
Interestingly, they listen to the community TOO much
GOOD COMMUNITY MANAGERS
Have patience, level-headedness, calmness, handle users with grace, multi-task – Erin calls them the “calm multi-tasker”.
AVOID A GHOST TOWN
If you’re making a community don’t make forums look like a ghost town with too many sub-forums as this will dilute content.
USER ANONYMITY
Drew Curtis says “if you can’t say something with your name attached then go to hell”.
Humm, reminds me of a tech talk I watched the other day:
“Putting the fun in functional”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihUt-163gZI
- basically describes ways to build and control an online community through making use of natural games that we’re psychologically built to take part in.
Interesting to see how it’s possible to harness games like that to lead the focus of those out-spoken in an on-line community and to persuade it what the values of the site are. (wow I dislike the word “community”!)
That talk is brilliant, thanks. Particularly like the bit on recombinant gaming, something already well documented in online video. You’d have loved the ARG/RPG community talks at SXSW – http://sxsw.com/interactive/news/videos_and_podcasts
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