Article

Christie Fidura
Christie Fidura 11 June 2015

Why Kevin Costner Has Alot To Answer For

"If you build it, they will come."

 

You remember that, right? Everybody, even people not then born, know that famous line from Field of Dreams. 

 

I’m convinced that this one statement has done more to harm the Community Management industry than any other.

I frequently have discussions with CxOs, very smart people, totally switched on who are interested in understanding more about Community. But the conversation quickly turns to, ’Well, can’t we just put up a Facebook page and let them talk to one another?’

And I smile, as I think that this very smart person, who is completely interested in understanding more about Community Management, has obviously seen that movie.

No, you can’t just build it, because no, they won’t just show up. They need a reason to be there; they need belief and trust that you welcome them, you want them, you value them; and they need to understand their commitment from you and why they should commit to you.

And mostly, they need engagement. You must reach out and talk to them, and you must have a valid reason for doing so; there is nothing that will ever change their minds about you once they decide you are not trustworthy, or that you are engaging them for your own self-serving purposes.

So think about why you want a Community, really. Not because everybody else has one, not because it’s the cool thing to do. And then build a plan to really talk to them.

Because they won’t just come if you build it... but they just might show up and stay if you invite them over, give them a lovely cuppa tea, and ask how their day has been. 

About Author:

Christie Fidura is a Senior Consultant at The Perfect Circle, helping brands devise a strategy to build community to obtain maximum market impact.www.weareperfectcircle.co.uk/

Original Article

Read More on Digital Doughnut

Please login or register to add a comment.

Contribute Now!

Loving our articles? Do you have an insightful post that you want to shout about? Well, you've come to the right place! We are always looking for fresh Doughnuts to be a part of our community.

Popular Articles

See all
How to Review a Website — A Guide for Beginners

How to Review a Website — A Guide for Beginners

Whether you're a startup or an established business, the company website is an essential element of your digital marketing strategy. The most effective sites are continually nurtured and developed in line with...

Digital Doughnut Contributor
Digital Doughnut Contributor 7 January 2020
Read more
7 reasons why social media marketing is important for your business

7 reasons why social media marketing is important for your business

Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important aspects of digital marketing, which provides incredible benefits that help reach millions of customers worldwide. And if you are not applying this profitable...

Sharron Nelson
Sharron Nelson 6 February 2018
Read more
Infographic: The State of Product Discovery 2023

Infographic: The State of Product Discovery 2023

New research from London Research and Attraqt explores the latest trends around product discovery in digital commerce, covering site search, merchandising and personalisation.

Linus Gregoriadis
Linus Gregoriadis 25 May 2023
Read more
The Use of Chatbots in Improving Customer Experience and Brand Engagement

The Use of Chatbots in Improving Customer Experience and Brand Engagement

Chatbots have become increasingly popular in recent years, and have been used by many businesses as a tool for improving customer experience and brand engagement. A chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate...

Brack Nelson
Brack Nelson 18 May 2023
Read more
The Top Ecommerce SEO Trends for 2023

The Top Ecommerce SEO Trends for 2023

As we approach the midpoint of 2023, ecommerce businesses face an increasingly competitive landscape. To stay ahead of the game, businesses must focus on optimizing their online presence for search engines. Here are...

Jagdish Mali
Jagdish Mali 23 May 2023
Read more