Online community managers know that it’s not only the most gratifying career, but it can also have it’s challenges. Peer networks are the best place to support each other and share ideas with others who are most likely dealing with similar issues.
This profession is evolving and becoming mainstream which means that there are a number of professional communities emerging. Here is an overview of groups that you can join:
- Facebook group Community Manager, Advocate, and Evangelist
Jeremiah Owyang & I kicked this off back in 2007. It is a vibrant group and there are many new people joining. There is a doc that you can add your contact info to. And there is also an informal job board.
This is a new group that Claire Flanagan, Ted Hopton, Jamie Pappas and Megan Murray recently launched. Membership is free, but there is a process for requesting it.
These active forums are a part of Patrick O’Keefe’s iFroggy network. Patrick is the author of Managing Online Forums.
Jim Storer & Rachel Happe are the founders of this peer network. They have built a very active community that is based on resources, research and regular activities.
I received a formal press release that the Dachis Group had launched this community. I have applied for membership & will update this post when I find out more.
Where do you hang out? and why?
Thanks for the mention, Connie. I appreciate it. Hope all is well.
Patrick
Although not an online group you can join, the annual in-person gatherings of community managers/organizers/builders at Community Leadership Summit in Portland is a great free unconference event. Still time to register for #CLS11 coming up this summer on July 23-24. See http://clsummit.org
Cheers, Van
Connie,
This is great, thanks for putting together a great list and thanks for mentioning the #cmtybc (Community BackChannel).
By the way the “Social Business Council” from Dachis Group is a rebranding (with extending mission and reach now as well) of The 2.0 Adoption Council started by Susan Scrupski a few years back. Dachis acquired the Council last year and this year – representing all the changes in this space (convergence of internal and external strategy) Dachis has extended the mission to reflect the real work many of us are now doing in this space.
I’m a member of three that you list: 1) Community BackChannel 2) Social Business Council and 3) The Community RoundTable – and I find all three valuable for unique reasons.
Now I have to go find that Facebook page you mentioned you started and sign myself up there!
Thanks Connie!
[…] Latest Blog Post […]