Online Community Management

Community is something we do together. It's not just a container," said sociologist David Brain.

Web based communication systems first began offering features and functions that require a totally new task force: The Community Management. Thus, the online community managers role is a growing. Its a new professional profile many organizations and companies need urgently in order to face the complexity of the new social media interfaces. People in this position work to build, grow and manage communities around a brand or cause. They are also connecting the corporate identity, the inhouse workflow to the users, customers and possible co-workers. As more and more companies are convinced of the necessity of a CRM 2.0, a smart viral marketing trying to involve UGC and the benefits of CTA (call to actions); they need also a multitasker managing the different communities. Online community managers may serve a variety of roles depending on the nature and purpose of their online community, which may be part of a profit motivated enterprise. "Every network has an underlying purpose and motivations for such network creation include: Mission, Business, Idea, Learning By Doing Online Community Managers are representing and visualizing the collective vision, creating and managing relationships and manage collaborative processes. Their role is as complex as the Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 grid and under permanent construction. Thats new and part of the new Enterprise 2.0 and Business 2.0 issues. We have to think different and manage differently.

The Communit Mangers are managing the social profile of the Corporate Identity (collectively and individually), the human interaction inside - outside the company, the image, the reputation They have also to manage the social loop. Unfortunately, there is no curriculum preparing the future managers leaving the business school for this very complex and highly requested job. Once again, we are facing a quite confusing situation. A growing demand without any clear and convincing

The Community Managers job profile

Its a missionary work for online and offline community building, social media, and customer-company interaction working with online communities, fan groups, and consumer groups. The Community Manager needs a background in Social Media Engineering Community Management Online collaboration tools and strategies Web 2.0 and Web 3.0

The Community Manager is the face and the interface of a company, managing communications in both directions. This digital-savvy employee is responsible for all communications, PR, social media, events, and content creation, among other things. Its a Web 2.0 communications role, incorporating online tools and in-person networking to create relationships and ultimately build the companys brand, both online and off.

His daily workflow

Content creation - publishing blog posts/ videos, articles, communications materials, and material for social media channels. He has at least to know how it works and to respond to comments, when appropriate, in order to foster a positive community and add value to the users experience Total Web Awareness Setting the relevant alerts, staying inside the flow, with an open mind and open eyes. Review user generated comments and posts in a quick and timely manner. Create a MOON : massive open online network. Social media marketing creating, managing and growing the companys presence through blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other strategically relevant online properties Customer relations the Community Manager is often responsible for customer support answering questions however they come in (phone, e-mail, Twitter) and managing any online feedback forums such as Get Satisfaction pages; Liquid Learning Management and Knowledge Management, the information flow, the user generated content, the co-workers know-how and knowledge has to be harvested and curated in order to remain visible and accessible.

New Skills for a new job profile

To do this job efficiently, a Community Manager should have all these skills:
Resilient personality - they will be required to walk into networking events and

be comfortable introducing themselves to strangers.

Publishing skills blogging creates authenticity, if you dont spam and

relationship, but videos are much more performant, as nothing is so convincing as the human voice. The daily publishing skils are include voice, sounds, images andand the intelligence to find the right words.
Social media experience experience with social media tools isnt a must, but

its definitely helpful and cuts down on training. Look for someone who can navigate Word Press and understands Twitter and Facebook for business
Resilience - this especially applies if youre at a small company. The person

needs to get along with your other employees and needs to mesh with the companys culture