Participation and engagement in online community and social media is obviously the core component and passion at ShoalHarbor. We believe in taking traditional Social Media to a new level and harnessing the power of community and engagement.
ShoalHarbor on Social Online Community Engagement
There have been several studies done on this matter, and I have my own opinion as to the primary drivers. For this post I will limit the writing to that of the research done.
Online community life has some real advantages over traditional community and this encourages a healthy base for participation:
• Real world community may meet online friends in the virtual online space.
• Online community to syndicate friendship with many people at a time.
• Online communities are always functional 24/7
• Online community have few barriers of entry.
• The global village allows contact many thousands of miles away.
• Ability to message live or leave messages for online community members.
There are also factors that draw online community members into the community. Some of these reasons are as follows:
• Reciprocation, as members may sign up to an online community expecting some form of benefit either physical or psychological.
• Habit and Consistency, as members may continue to participate out of habit and routine.
• Social Validation and Recognition, as online community members advance they feel validated and recognized by the community.
• Human Connection, as online community builds the sense of friendship and connection between individuals, especially if they enjoy a common cause or interest.
On the other side of the equation we have the situation where some folks hang back and do not fully engage in online community life.
Some of the factors of non participation include:
• A fear that they may not be embraced by the online community.
• A fear that they may attract criticism from the online community.
• Fear of Man, the false belief that they have nothing to offer the community.
We know of course that these are generally unfounded thoughts.
Most people engaged in online community or social media welcome the newbies warmly, as social is social. Its as simple as that!
At this stage it would be wise to reflect again on what attracts people to online community and social media in general, as well as the glue that binds them?
• A shared communication environment in a community.
• Relationships are possible to be formed in the online community.
• A sense of belonging to a group or entity larger than the member.
• Being part of an online community with a common cause or interest.
• Having a feeling of identity within the community.
• The ability to participate and have an opinion in a warm environment.
There are also factors that draw online community members into the community. Some of these reasons are as follows:
• Reciprocation, as members may sign up to an online community expecting some form of benefit either physical or psychological.
• Habit and Consistency, as members may continue to participate out of habit and routine.
• Social Validation and Recognition, as online community members advance they feel validated and recognized by the community.
• Human Connection, as online community builds the sense of friendship and connection between individuals, especially if they enjoy a common cause or interest.
On the other side of the equation we have the situation where some folks hang back and do not fully engage in online community life.
Some of the factors of non participation include:
• A fear that they may not be embraced by the online community.
• A fear that they may attract criticism from the online community.
• Fear of Man, the false belief that they have nothing to offer the community.
We know of course that these are generally unfounded thoughts.
Most people engaged in online community or social media welcome the newbies warmly, as social is social. Its as simple as that!
At this stage it would be wise to reflect again on what attracts people to online community and social media in general, as well as the glue that binds them?
• A shared communication environment in a community.
• Relationships are possible to be formed in the online community.
• A sense of belonging to a group or entity larger than the member.
• Being part of an online community with a common cause or interest.
• Having a feeling of identity within the community.
• The ability to participate and have an opinion in a warm environment.
The key is thus to combine these elements into your online community or social media strategy, as these are primary drivers to engagement.
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