Social Media and Social Network Starting Points

Chris Brogan does a great job outlining many of the issues organizations must consider as they contemplate jumping into the social web. I highly recommend reading his entire post, but here are some highlights.

1. Start With the Intent

“Knowing your intent drives which path you take.”

2. Treat Your Community Like Adults

“For example, don’t bury people in what not to say.”

3. Develop a reasonable Blogging Policy (he provides a nice example)

- Chris has a lot of really good stuff in here…

4. Pick Your Social Media Platform

“instead of recommending any specific platform, I’ll point out some things to consider:… “

5. Keeping a Community Alive and Growing It

“I saved the hardest part for last. In that old Kevin Costner movie, Field of Dreams, the tagline/hook of the movie was a ghostly voice in the cornfields saying, “If you build it, they will come.” Nothing is farther from the truth.”

6. Other People’s Networks

“Here is one consideration for when to build your own social network and when to use existing social networks: whether you have an abundance of community around your organization already vs. if you are seeking to grow a community. If it’s A, then build a social network. If you’re looking to grow from nothing, consider starting in B (other people’s social networks).”

7. People are the Core

“At the core of this are people. Everything that has come before this doesn’t work a lick until you understand the people you intend to reach, the people you hope will contribute, and the people who will share their time with you on all angles.”

8. Now, Just Start

“Analysis paralysis is a terrible thing. Just try something. Even if you launch a really small part of your project’s intentions, now is the right time to try. What’s holding you back?”

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Tags: 2postsocial