How many of you own, manage, or help manage forums? I see a couple of hands towards the back of the room raised.
I am one of those forum managers, but at a “wannabe” level. I love interaction with people. I have stated before the Internet is my access to the outer world some days. Well, actually most days.
Like I have said before I am a forum administrator “wannabe”. Maybe most of you know this. My socializing skills and interaction are not that great. I have a general idea of what I am doing wrong, but I needed guidelines to help form and shape my forum.
As of right now I have Candle Marketing Social Site. I am ashamed to say this but it is definitely not running where I would like it to be. Maybe you can attest to that also . LOL
You would think for as much as I say I like interaction with my community and it is my connection to the outer world this would come easy for me. Unfortunately it doesn’t. I have found that you need certain skills and guidelines to run and active community. These skills and guidelines I do not have.
I found my guidelines in this well written and simple to read book called Managing Online Forums: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Run Successful Community Discussion Boards
This book is my ticket to getting my forum up and running. I loved the title because it states “everything you need to know“. In our fast world we don’t need all the extras. We need to know exactly what it takes to run a forum in a small amount of time. Time is of the essence.
This book has rekindled my enthusiasm for creating a nice candle marketing forum.
I have been able to layout the groundwork for the forum. I know exactly what the community will cover, who I want to attract, and what the benefits of the community will be. I am working on the benefits of my forum right now.
The book also laid out the necessary skills that help you handle certain tricky situations. Your forum should be enjoyable to you.
Benefits of Forums:
1. Establish friendships and a community
2. Establish yourself as an expert
3. Mastermind ideas
I love all the benefits of a forum especially masterminding ideas. I do belong to a forum where you can mastermind ideas with everyone. It really tweaks your skills as a website and business owner.
If you are in the market for starting your own forum and want to know the ins and outs this is the book for you.
I would enjoy hearing feedback about your own experiences managing an online forum. Place your feedback right in our comments area.
Many Blessings
Dawnaurora
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you Patrick for your kind comment. Like I said your book is great especially for me who has trouble in this area. =)
Many Blessings,
dawn
Wow, thanks so much, Ms. Hulslander-Shaffer. The fact that the book “rekindled my enthusiasm” is really touching and your words mean a lot to me. I am glad that the book could serve as a point of motivation for you and I am really happy to know it helped. I really appreciate you picking it up and writing about it, as well.
Thanks again,
Patrick