Learn to build, manage and grow online communities in one day....

This one-day course will give new media professionals a thorough introduction to the business and practice of running a community or social network online.

The tutor Lizzie Jackson, who created and ran the BBC Communities, will take the class through the major issues, challenges and opportunities in managing an online community. Lizzie was voted 'One of the 100 Innovators of the UK Internet Decade' in October, 2004 by NOP World and e-consultancy.com. She is now Consultant, Online Communities at Children's' BBC.

PROGRAMME

Coffee and convene

Introduction and Definitions
What is an online community or network?
You already have a community!
What are message boards, live chats and chatrooms and how are they different from each other?
What's the difference between a social network and an online commercial social environment?
What might your organisation get out of Community?
CRM
Return visits
Analysis of your 'people'
Content! (user-content)
A more equal relationship
Ideas and customer feedback
Development 'Partners' - the community helps shape the organisation?

How to Build a Community
Start simple - Newsletters, Email in and publish html pages, voting , blogs
Getting a dialogue going and building a relationship - what shall we talk about?
Message boards , live chat - when to begin to bother with the big stuff/expense
Responsibilties to your community - moderation and hosting/Internet safety
Meet the Community Managers

Practical / critique / Q&A
After lunch the group will be challenged with a practical exercise bringing together all aspects of creating an online comminity for an existing website. Lizzie will then be joined by an experienced consultant in online community who will critique the plans produced. This is then followed by an interactive session with Lizzie and the consultant where any specific questions you may have about managing an online community can be answered.

Lunch is provided with this course.

Testimonials:

"Excellent overview of key issues"

"I host forums for clients and consult on forums to others, so this was all very excellent and useful info."

"Stimulating debate, useful examples and good insights."

"Very good subject knowledge from tutor and guests. All pitched at right level."

"Business and personal - gained an excellent knowledge of what the on-line community world is all about - lots of ideas and benefits to take back to work."

"Didn't know about the subject area at all beforehand and thought it was a great introduction, particularly the workshop. Very open and yet well structured."

"Looking at actual examples together was productive, because it was both critical and imaginative, bringing in the expertise of participants with the tutors."

Past Participants include:
BBC
Beyond Bricks
COI Communicationsv Centre for Scientific Enterprise
Dowcarter
Grey Interactive
Icon Medialab
Internova UK Limited
Jubilee Debt Campaign
Just Customer Communication
Learn.co.uk
Millennium Commission
NESTA
NOW - Network of the World
OneWorld International
OpenDemocracy
Panlogic
Paramount Comedy
Quantum Business Media
Realdo Limited
RM plc
Shell International
Sony Computer Entertainment
Student UK
Surrey Drug Action Team
Tenten Digital
The College of Law
Ultralab
Unilever Plc
University of Bath
University of Exeter
Wales Digital College
Wolff Olins

Please note: Bookings made within three days of this course require credit card payment. Many thanks.