Community Manager Appreciation Day: We're Giving Away 2 Kno Tablets

One of the great things about living and working in Silicon Valley is that from time to time we get to meet people who are working on a truly cutting-edge product that has the potential to transform, well, just about everything. We ran into one of these products recently. It’s called the Kno. You may not have heard of it, but you will soon. The folks who make this hard-to-get Kno tablet have been kind enough to provide us with two of them, which we want to give away to two people here on Creators! Read on for all the details, and check out the Kno. — Jason Rosenthal, CEO, Ning

Next Monday is the second annual celebration of Community Manager Appreciation Day all across the Internet.

Last year, I pasted Internet High-Fives into conversations and profiles of community manager types I know as a way to recognize all their hard work. It was great fun. This year, I’m proud to say that we can do better.

The fine folks who make the Kno tablet computer have graciously donated two of their upcoming tablet computers to our cause: recognizing people who devote their time to encouraging online conversation and activity — just like you do every day on your Ning Network. As the head of your own social network, you are essentially the community manager of your own site. This is your chance to share your expertise — and get a shot at winning a tablet computer.

You’ve undoubtedly had a ton of experience growing and shaping the conversation on your Ning Network. As your entry in this contest to win a Kno tablet, tell us...

What’s the single best piece of advice you can give to a new community manager?

How this contest works

You can submit an entry by simply replying to this discussion with a piece of good advice for a new community manager. One sentence works. A few more if necessary.
Witty, insightful, funny, serious, straightforward? It's up to you. Whatever you think is compelling.
One entry = one reply: Please only one reply per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Enter early but not often. No do-overs!
Network Creators only, please. Admins are not eligible.
This contest begins now and will end at midnight (PST) Monday, January 24th.
On January 25th, we’ll close this discussion, gather the responses, and force our CEO to choose only the two best pieces of advice.
We’ll announce the winner here on Creators on or around January 28.
We’ll also update this discussion with the results, so you’ll be automatically notified since you’re following this discussion.
We’ll contact the winners before announcing the results, so rest assured that if you win, we’ll track you down!

Good luck! Our hope is that everyone will get a good nugget of advice out of this community-based contest.

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Comment by Don McCauley on January 19, 2011 at 12:14pm: As the creator of a community, you must accept that you are NOT the focus of the community. However it is your leadership that will determine WHAT that focus might be, what the member's experience will be like and to where it might lead. This may be good, bad, enriching, useless - the possibilities are endless. Everything flows from your ability to lead, not from your desire to push

Comment by Jaslin Joseph on January 19, 2011 at 12:20pm: treat your customer how you would want to be treated..

Comment by gudris on January 19, 2011 at 12:24pm: be yourself

Comment by Jon Bard on January 19, 2011 at 12:26pm: Don't worry about growing your numbers -- worry about developing a core group of engaged, loyal and passionate members. Doing splashy press and getting hordes of new members that don't stick around only makes your community look like a graveyard. Grow slow and grow strong.

And, oh yeah, remember the punch and pie! I'm pretty sure it's how Facebook got so big....

Comment by Mark Flockhart on January 19, 2011 at 12:31pm: - The Single piece of advise I can give you -BUILDING YOUR COMMUNITY!

Constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon.

If you are starting a community then you likely did research like the rest of us and you already know that being unique and creating grabbing content will bring a visitor to your group but if you can be the nurse and build your community around your users needs you will prevent a major surgery!

Build our paradise.

Comment by True Diogeneia on January 19, 2011 at 12:32pm: That's easy, and I am not sucking up... but join the CREATORS network! Here's why: I've learned a lot of things about site design, promotion, social networking and a lot of things that apply to "my" site...but I don't really know what applies to "yours." Your site and your goals may not be like mine, so my advice on such things may be irrelevant. But if you come HERE to CREATORS you will find answers to your questions and links to resources that are invaluable. The most awesome hook-up I found through CREATORS was to the Social Media Examiner site. Between here and there, I have found everything I ever wanted or needed to know! So yeah... my single best piece of advice to a community manager is join CREATORS. It's like they do all the research for you! :)

Comment by Ken on January 19, 2011 at 12:33pm: Online communities are similar to local communities - The strength and identity of the community will depend not only on the community manager, but also on the 'pillars' of that community i.e. those individuals that hold the community together.

My advice is that its not all about you. Yes, you are important - you may have started it, but the key to the long term success of your community is to find and nurture those essential pillars of your community.. they will give it strength, depth and identity.

Other than that - have fun, its going to be hard work, so its important you enjoy the ride.

Comment by Alan on January 19, 2011 at 12:33pm: Stay involved no matter what. Though your interests may change over time, the community you started still needs your support.

NC for Hire Comment by SweetPotato on January 19, 2011 at 12:35pm: Be friendly and patient.

Comment by Sarah on January 19, 2011 at 12:38pm: First, truly believe in your community and what it offers to your members. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, so understand that building a successful community will take time and effort. Without you there to guide it, the community won't reach its potential. Provide meaningful content for your members to help them connect and learn. At the same time, know your limits. Don't burn yourself out in a fit of inspiration!