How to create an online community successfully

Sterling Raphael has a really fantastic article in April's ASAE Technoscope newsletter. READ IT.

It lists "11 Success Factors for Creating an Online Community". My shorthand "notes to self" below each.

1. Determine if the technology meets your mission.
(Note to self - Don't just do it because it would be cool).

2. Identify a technology provider.
(Choose the right one for your association, not the one with the most features or the one recommended by your friend at another association.)

3. Survey for value.
(Ask your members what they would use and would find valuable).

4. Select a feature set.
(Don't overwhelm your members with too many features).

5. Create an implementation plan.
(Don't just wing it, or do it all at once).

6. Seek staff commitment and support.
(Make sure you have the internal resources to manage it.)

7. Get members involved as beta testers, content leaders, and pioneers.
(Yes!)

8. Design a marketing strategy.
(Make sure the online community is integrated with the membership at-large!)

9. Integrate the community with association events.
(Ditto!)

10. Measure success.
(Track return on engagement!)

11. Conduct a survey and allow for iteration.
(Create-launch-edit-launch-repeat - but pay attention to your mission!)

I strongly encourage everyone to read the full article, but the main theme I see running throughout it is something I don't often see (or haven't noticed, anyway), which is that at every step of the way we need to listen to, involve, and engage our members, volunteers, and staff.

And what a coincidence that I just read this great post! Because maybe, if we don't know how to, we need to rediscover the art of listening.