Build Community!

If you are a Web developer, online start-up, media company, anyone doing business on the Web, you've heard those words before. In fact you likely heard them Today, and chances are you will hear them Tomorrow.

As a developer of social networks and social media tools for brands, we sometimes have gotten trapped into thinking that social media tools should strictly focus members on the brand's content and message. It's true that successful communities require a level of common interest among their members, and that the purpose of the community generally revolves around the content and subject matter. However, I for one cannot talk about any subject for even 30 minutes everyday of the week. I must be able to break away from the common interest to discuss other things I care about, like ME.

The truth of the matter is that no matter how interesting or cutting edge your brand or content is, it will never be as interesting as the people inside the community over any extended period of time. So features for an online community need to be focused on bringing people together and then letting them go their own way. Do this right and your community will still be around and receptive to your message and content.

You can read the whole post here:A healthy online community is like an art opening