When I first started #eventprofs the intent was to facilitate a thriving community of event professionals from all around the world who would share ideas, build relationships and challenge one another. Over a year and a half later, I do believe that we’re achieving this goal. However, I feel as if I’ve let the community down. One critical component missing right now is the twice weekly chats that really were the impetus that got us connecting in the first place. I used to organize these chats but with my hectic business and travel schedules, I have let this slip.
The ideal scenario would be for the community drive the community. I created a wiki that allowed anyone to sign up to moderate the chats and also created video instructions. Unfortunately though, without someone to mange this process, the chats aren’t happening. I’ve come to realize that what #eventprofs really needs is a Community Manager. Someone who can ensure the chat slots are full, provide instruction to new #eventprofs and ensure the archives go out to the community.
But I want to know how you feel…Do you think we should resume the chats? If so, do you think we should have a Community Manager? Do you have any other comments? Please take a minute to answer these 3 short questions. Your feedback will drive how #eventprofs will operate, so please make your voice heard.
I miss the #eventprofs chats. I would always walk away from my computer feeling so inspired and ready to take on the world.
[on READY2SPARK] An open letter to all #eventprofs – http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op… #eventprofs #ecec10
RT @ready2spark: [on READY2SPARK] An open letter to all #eventprofs – http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op… #eventprofs #ecec10
RT @ready2spark: [on READY2SPARK] An open letter to all #eventprofs – http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op… #eventprofs #ecec10
I miss the chats too. They were a great opportunity for #eventprofs to meet, interact, discuss! If a community mgr will help to keep it alive, I fully support the idea!
I LOVE the idea! Thanks for thinking of this, Lara!
An open letter to all #eventprofs. Your input is appreciated…… http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op…
@ready2spark checking out new texts on social media by Chris Brogan
I think a community manager is also a great idea. The eventprofs community is where I found my confidence, met some of my best friends, mutually beneficial business relationships and gained so much valuable, MUCH needed education.
Yes I agree – a community manager is a good things even if it is on a rotation. We did have a call with several of us Lara and that did create some good movement with the chats for a while. I will also be at EventCamp this weekend with a bunch of eventprofs – we can see bring it up in in Philly.
A dedicated community manager is definitely needed. We must brainstorm on how to make that opportunity valuable beyond “gold stars” because it is not an easy job.
The Chats were what got me engaged in the community and helped me to make invaluable connections- it would be a shame to see them slip away. I think that someone definitely needs to be around to make sure that it happens but I don’t think that it’s a task that someone can do full time. Rotation is key, maybe people can volunteer for a month at a time? We have to get this going again- it is absolutely essential to making the industry thrive.
Have you weighed in on the future of #eventprofs yet? http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op…
RT @ready2spark: Have you weighed in on the future of #eventprofs yet? http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/an-op…
Thank you to everyone who has weighed in so far. I plan to make the results of the survey public and so far 100% of respondents would like to see the return of the chats and an overwhelming majority agree that a Community Manager is needed to keep them on track. There are varying comments on how to make the role manageable.
What I’m most delighted by is the value the chats did provide to the community. Thank you once again to everyone who has submitted comments.
Lara
Perhaps a change of venue? Like IRC chat? Or TinyChat with select “live” camera moderators with all else on the text chat? I know that Twitter is ubiquitous and easy but without a client like TweetChat, it’s not really built for chatting. Also, I have lost IRL friend followers because they hated the stream that resulted from chat participation. Easy fix if you’re online as a brand, more difficult when you’re an individual. Otherwise, for my part, I’ve been missing the chats not due to a lack of organization, but rather because October was ridiculously busy! Maybe folks have just been too swamped? *shrug*
Thanks, Brandt! We always see an influx of great moderator sign ups when the reminder emails are sent out – as with most things, out of sight, out of mind. But it really does require time & diligence to ensure the chats are maintained.
We have experimented in the past with a variety of different platforms – we have used TinyChat (among other tools) but these have posed their own problems and the community always reverts back to TweetChat (or whatever tool they use to manage the chat flow). The benefit of using the Tweet stream is the ability to pull in those people who see the participation and have forgotten about the chat. It attracts a lot of people who are intrigued by the conversation. That was a big part of #eventprofs’ growth in the early months 😉
I haven’t experienced the same loss of followers due to chat participation, but I know a number of people usually send out a ‘just a reminder that I’ll be participating in an #eventprofs chat, so please don’t mind my tweets over the next hour’.
I hope your schedule frees up and you’re able to join us for a chat. We’d love to see you there!
Lara
I vote for Cameron to be the CM…he was ALWAYS at the chats and is an excellent moderator!
Thanks, Midori 😉
Cameron is amazing.
Because this role requires time investment, it’s really important that the individual put their own hat in the ring: http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/11/you-spoke-we-listened-an-eventprofs-community-update.html.
(so maybe you can put a bug in his ear?…)