Social Media - Online Communities
How to Make the Most of Online Communities
Written by Rachel Shaver and Cameron Nichols
Social media is skyrocketing in popularity and changing the world of public relations. Online communities like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are used for more than just catching up with long-lost friends. If you want to build an online personality for your brand, stay on top of the latest industry news, see what the hot topics are, connect with influential people or even choose the best route to drive home, you need to be connected.
To make the most of online communities, it is vital first and foremost to understand how the community works and what audiences it attracts. This understanding helps you develop a plan for working with the community to provide content of value and prepares you for what to expect. Each online community offers something different and unique -- knowing the benefits and functions of each helps to determine the most effective approach and shape your participation.
Once you've joined an online community, there are two important best practices to follow to help you effectively utilize your new page:
1. Engage in a two-way conversation with page visitors. Visitors will feel far more involved and will be more likely to come back again.
2. Keep ideas and content fresh to encourage repeat visits and sustain interest. A stagnant page loses the attention of online community members. Although managing a page in online communities can be time-consuming, it can be well worth the effort.
Be aware of potential issues while participating in online communities. Even though you may represent and promote your company on these sites, you must be aware of and sensitive to others' ideas and opinions. Blatant promotion can diminish the credibility of your presence and tarnish your online reputation. Be willing to discuss, debate and share ideas. Open discussion is what drives these communities. Also, keep in mind that the world of social media is constantly evolving. Some sites become trendy and quickly phase out. Be willing to adapt to these changes and switch communities or mediums if necessary.
Online communities will continue to grow in popularity. If your company or organization is ready to take the plunge and find out what everyone is talking about, get in touch with Nereus. We're happy to help.
Contact us to learn about how Nereus can help you with your social communities.
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