Introduction

There’s a lot that goes into the creation and management of a successful online community: the technology platform, the community manager(s), the marketing and audience generation strategy, the content quality, and much, much more.

Critic’s Choice Award: Evoq Social

We're honored that Evoq Social received the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Social Networking Solution from CMS Critic. While “social networking solution” can mean many things to many people, I think the Critic’s Choice judges like that Evoq Social not only provides a complete online community solution, but it’s also integrated with our Content Management System (CMS), Evoq Content.

This means that your online community doesn’t have to live on an island. Instead, your online community and your website are one and the same. But that’s enough on the technology component. Technology, while important, must be complemented by strategy, best practices, measurement and other important activities to build and maintain a successful online community.

View the Evoq Social listing at CMS Critic.

Online Community Planning and Strategy

Register to download the playbook.

We recently collaborated with TOPO on an Online Community Playbook. We wanted to create a resource that provides community managers with a framework and set of planning tools to consider well before making a technology decision.

Scott Albro of TOPO presented a webinar related to building online communities. Feel free to browse the slides:

Online Community Metrics

Download our Community Health e-Guide

I recommend defining metrics (to track) well before you launch your online community. You’ll then find that you’ll refine this list as your community evolves. Community managers have a delicate balancing act: they need to attract new members into the community, while ensuring that existing members are engaged and active. We recently presented a webinar on health metrics for your online community. Feel free to browse the slides:

Traits of Highly Effective Community Managers

What are the common traits of highly effective community managers? We did a webinar on this topic, too:

Try Evoq Social

OK, back to technology. When you have your strategy and planning complete, you’ll need to identify online community vendors. You can try our solution, Evoq Social, on a free, 30-day trial. Have a look at this video first:

Now, sign up for the free trial: http://www.dnnsoftware.com/evoq-social-free-trial

Conclusion

A lot of components go into successful online communities. While the technology platform is a factor, be sure to complete your planning and strategy in advance of technology selection. Then, hire (or identify) effective community manager(s), as they are central to your community’s success. Finally, ensure that you’re ongoing management is data-driven, using metrics to gauge and track community health.