guide on how to build an online community?

[english-test.net]

I've seen a lot of people asking the same questions over and over again. Here are some of them:
- how to attract new users
- how to make users post
- how to promote a forum
- how to get rid of spam
- how to monetize a forum
- how to find and motivate moderators

This raises the question whether or not it would be good to create some type of guide that covers just the basics of ecommunity management. I realize that many people would still go to a forum and post the same question for the thousandth time but some of them would probably refer to the guide. Then this forum could deal with more specific questions and the guide would cover all the basic information.
I've seen something like this over at Webmasterworld but I think there is still room for a new guide.
Any ideas?

[stymiee]

We're actually working on a FAQ here at SitePoint which will cover most of that as you are right, the same questions get asked over and over again.

[Slava75]

There are specialized websites on community management:

- theadminzone.com
- and similar

[english-test.net]

Slava, theadminzone and "similar" do provide a wealth of information but as Stymiee said, those forums are often a bit chaotic, you have to wade through hundreds of discussions in order to find what you need. That's why I suggested to create a guide to building an online community.

[Clenard]

Slava, theadminzone and "similar" do provide a wealth of information but as Stymiee said, those forums are often a bit chaotic, you have to wade through hundreds of discussions in order to find what you need. That's why I suggested to create a guide to building an online community.

Indeed... this is why other forums are disappointing as they flame books or "programs" because they truly believe people should sit on forums all day to find answers. (ahem *DP*)

Stymiee probably knows what I'm talking about.


An FAQ would definately be a Great Resource.

[petertdavis]

The Admin Zone is a good resource. Other than the script specific forums (eg, vbulletin.com), it seems to be the most active place to get advice about forums. If you like podcasts, you might like Patrick's, http://communityadmin.thepodcastnetwork.com

But, yea, a FAQ will help.

[iTechno]

I think Peter should do the FAQ, he seems to be an expert.

[stymiee]

I'd have to say Peter and Patrick are our resident gurus. Naturally if they put one together it would be stickied faster then you can say, "Does anyone know how to get more members for my community?"

[goolash]

That would be great if a FAQ were written!

[striver]

We're actually working on a FAQ here at SitePoint which will cover most of that as you are right, the same questions get asked over and over again.

i hope this one will be created for someone like me who are just started building online community, this could be a good help for SURE!

[John D]

Any update on the FAQ?