Each year, The Community Roundtable , a peer network of social business professionals (I’m a member), does a really great report on the state of community management. little bit about the focus of this year’s research, from the Community Roundtable’s call for survey participants (bold mine): Many of TheCR Network members and the organizations we work with struggle with some of the following questions: What is the benefit of a community strategy? What difference does community management make? Does this describe your org? MORE >>

You can now  download half of my book , Buzzing Communities, for free. If you hate reading it on the screen, or want the full copy, you can buy the book via the links below: Amazon.com -  Click here Amazon Kindle -  Click here Amazon Europe -  Click here Europe Kindle -  Click here   Branded Online Communities Increasing ParticipationThank you for giving me your time and attention for the last few years. Click here: [link] I hope you find it useful. MORE >>

Among other things, they asked internet users if and why they join brand communities (see diagram below). And found that those who had joined brand communities were 71% were more likely to make a purchase as a result. This backs up what we have found with clients in a range of industries and shows the power that online communities can bring to brands. Why people join brand online communities (McCann). You can find a full version to download here. Universal McCann have just published Wave5 of their Social Media Tracker. Tweet This! Share this on Facebook. MORE >>

Ben Martin is Global Community Manager at AVG. Previously, Ben was a Communities Executive for an Online PR and Social agency called Content & Motion. Over the last six years he build his experience in managing online communities for large, multi-national brands across many different sectors. G: How did you build your experience as community manager? B: My first foray into Community Management was back in 2005 when I set up a MySpace page for Download Festival ( www.downloadfestival.co.uk ), which I was going to that year. On-site communities (e.g. MORE >>

The Community Roundtable’s essential 2012 State of Community Management Report is out. Run, do not walk, to go download it. these three kinds of community structures often coexist around a single organization or company. community management practices have matured and educational resources abound , alongside concerns about how to distinguish the value/quality of individual programs (just like the social media guru/snake oil issue). badly managed internal communities cause more chaos and confusion, not less. DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE. MORE >>