Community Building on the Web

Building a Web community is a team effort. It takes the combined talents of marketing, production, programming, and design professionals. Community Building on the Web is a book for all those team members. Drawing from her own extensive experience as a designer and consultant to some of the Web's best commercial, nonprofit, and recreational sites, Amy Jo Kim introduces nine essential strategies for creating true community online. Her practical recommendations and behind-the-scenes views into flourishing communities such as Yahoo, America Online, eBay, Ultima Online, AncientSites, and others will give you insights you can apply to growing your own successful online world.

This book will show you how to:

• Select the tools and resources you'll need to get started
  
• Attract and retain a target audience
  
• Evolve your community and plan for change
  
• Identify and fill the essential social roles
  
• Create and use member profiles effectively
  
• Foster positive participation and encourage role models
  

Table of contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Purpose

Building a Successful Community

Case Study:The Planning Exercise in Action

Articulate Your Vision

Chapter 2: PLACES: Bringing People Together

People Are Talking

Mapping the Territory

Zoned For Growth

Chapter 3: PROFILES: Getting to Know Your Members

Why Profiles'

Your Member Database

Creating a Persona

Evolving a Social Identity

Chapter 4: ROLES: From Newcomer to Old-Timer

The Membership Life Cycle

Welcome Your Visitors

Instruct Your Novices

Reward Your Regulars

Empower Your Leaders

Honor Your Elders

Chapter 5: LEADERSHIP:

The Buck Stops Here

What's a Leader?

Unofficial Leaders

Official Leaders

Case Study: Power to the People: The Slashdot Moderator System

Manage Your Leaders

Chapter 6: ETIQUETTE: Rules to Live By

Develop Your Ground Rules

Enforce Your Policies

Evolve Your Rules

Chapter 7: EVENTS: Meetings, Performances and Competitions

Event Planning 101

Meetings: Bringing Groups Together

Performances: Up on Stage

Competitions: Members in the Spotlight

Chapter 8: RITUALS: Handshakes, Holidays, and Rites of Passage

The Power of Ritual

Personal Acknowledgments

Community Holidays

Passages and Transitions

Chapter 9: SUBGROUPS: Clans, Clubs and Committees

Why Subgroups'

Setting the Stage

Developing Your Official Program

Epilogue

Index