The Three C's Are Still Working
Marry Content, Community and Commerce
A mantra in my former days as an online community builder. Here's how we did it:
- Provide great Content that ignites a Conversation
- Lively Conversations become building blocks of the Community
- A loyal Community often become loyal Customers
- Give your Customers a "sense" of ownership in each area
Not everyone agreed then. Not everyone agrees now. Makes for a great conversation, though. The fourth point is pretty much moot. Now, instead of a "sense" of ownership, the "community" has real ownership:
- Ownership in their own Content - which is in many ways is the beginning of a Conversation
- Lively Conversations are building blocks of a Community
- A loyal Community often become loyal Customers
Think about it. What have you purchased because of conversations you've had (online or offline)? How about services/products via opinions or experience from others in your community? A movie ticket? A book? Music? A gadget?
People have not changed so much. Grown? Yes. Changed? Not too much. The tools have changed though.
The Water Cooler has extended its boundaries. Blogs are a platform for people (business or non) to articulate their thoughts and to engage in conversations.
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