Practical Conversations » resources http://www.practicalconversations.com Exploring how we sustain web and social media conversations. Wed, 26 May 2010 16:30:23 +0000 en hourly 1 Kev's Rules–3 Rules for Online Community Engagement http://www.practicalconversations.com/2009/10/03/kevs-rules-3-rules-for-online-community-engagement/ http://www.practicalconversations.com/2009/10/03/kevs-rules-3-rules-for-online-community-engagement/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:10:55 +0000 kevinmic http://www.practicalconversations.com/?p=199 For the September, 2009 Social Media Breakfast NH (#smbnh) at the Manchester, NH Public Library I gave this talk about my rules for community.  I call it ‘Kev’s Rules for Community’.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TUzBQ5TYeA

I try to live these rules every day–whether I’m engaging online via twitter, blogs, or any other tools.  The rules are simple:

  1. Be Real (don’t be a bot)
  2. Address the Need (not just the explicit ones)
  3. Be the Gatekeeper (never be the roadblock)

These rules are part of a project I’m working on to get the Dimdim support team on Twitter, directly engaging with customers.  My goal was to go beyond just teaching the tools.  Anyone can create a Twitter account and jump into the conversation.  I wanted to make sure we are consistent in our approach.

I personally have a hard time following rules if there are too many to remember.  What are your rules?  Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter (@kevinmic)

-k

[Special thanks to Matt Turner (@onmatt, www.onmatt.com) for helping to pull all the examples together for this talk, and Leslie Poston (@geechee_girl, www.uptownuncorked.com) for the opportunity to speak.  I do so love to talk.]

]]> http://www.practicalconversations.com/2009/10/03/kevs-rules-3-rules-for-online-community-engagement/feed/ 0 Social Media Basics http://www.practicalconversations.com/2008/09/27/social-media-basics/ http://www.practicalconversations.com/2008/09/27/social-media-basics/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:14:26 +0000 kevinmic http://www.practicalconversations.com/?p=70

‘Begin at the beginning,’ the King said, very gravely, ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop.’ – The King, Alice In Wonderland

If only.  Unfortunately, most things in life are not that simple, including social media and online conversations.  There are so many possibilities.

Flickr Image: Social Media Marketing examples, by Peter Kim

Let’s start at the beginning with some basics.  I recommend these two videos to get a quick understanding:

Social Media in Plain English, from Common Craft

Social Networking in Plain English, from Common Craft

If you’re ready, now dig into these:

More to follow soon.  If you are engaging in online conversations and have a system that works, please let me know, I’d like to interview you.

-k

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