For some of us old, creaking community managers that have been around longer than broadband, it’s slightly dizzying that the role of ‘community manager’ is creeping into the general lexicon. So if 2009 has finally galvanised the concept that online community spaces need managers, is 2010 going to be the year when the role is formalised and ranked as highly as other CRM roles? Will the old broad term ‘ community manager ’ be split into various roles with tighter definitions and remits? What will online communities look like in 2010? Community as a force. MORE >>

about what the difference is between “community manager&# and “social media manager?&# know I am – and I am both a community manager and a social media manager! But there seems to be a lot of cofusion both on the part of employers and job candidates, and a lot of jobs that actually entail managing a company’s social media marketing efforts are being billed as community management positions. Likewise, a lot of job seekers who want to “do&# social media for a company are thinking that they want to go into community management. MORE >>

If a brand wants to build social communities, capital and influence, it must become the chief celebrant of its community, not its celebrity. Their community can work for them and buy from them. Their story becomes their community’s story. In doing so, they must re-frame how their products and services can be positioned to enable and celebrate the success of their customers and community rather than solely seeking profit or to indulge the vanity of their brand personality. Advertising Brands Community Consumers Future Social media Values branding MORE >>

Philip is Community Manager at Zmags. Previously, he was community manager of  FIFA UK at Electronic Arts and Digital Producer at The Walt Disney Company. G: How did you build your experience as community manager/strategist? Special interest fan sites and smaller communities with a core following were the order of the day for several years. did however take a break to focus on the strategy side rather than the management for a 2 year period and spent that time as a consultant / strategist before diving back in to community management. G: Does the size matter? MORE >>

Here are 15 thriving online communities you might want to explore. My favourite community. The community for teachers. great example of clear, effective, Ning design creating a decent online community for today’s Baristas. Designers unite, this is the coolest community for one of the coolest audiences. true example of building a business for a community and not a community for a business. Game-mechanics overload and a very active online community for today’s top gamers. Does a good job of mixing content and community. Mumsnet. MORE >>