Three Phases of a Successful Launch

Thnee PHASES OF A There is no such thing as launching" a successful online community, any more than there is planting a prize-winning flower. You plant a seed; it grows into a prize-winner. The growth of a prize-winner requires planning, care, cultivation, dedication, patience and a little bit of luck. A successful online community requires the same but whereas the plant begins with a seed, the future success of your online begins with a concept and a 7 measurable goal. Measurable: able to be measured, quantifiable over time. "Best social network ever, is NOT measurable. "A social network of 100 followers by April 1, 2012, is. Successful Launch! Build it and they will come. Organize and update your member database 1 PRE-LAUNCH whene the heavy lifting takes place. Schedule events and activities for your members. Market your online community constantly and effectively! Write/populate content (lots of it) within the community. Establishing member-referral programs, etc. in GRAND OPENING 2 Wednesday the most Use existing (free) open social sites to promote your grand opening and encourage your members to follow the trail to your new, private online community impontant manketing event that you'll even have fon your online community. Set an official grand opening date. Send an evite to join to your email list. Add details of your online community to your email signature. Empower your staff to spread the word Tell everyone you know. Be pnedictable Communicate with your members and prospective members continually. Start a communications pattern that includes one monthly email and two monthly messages - increase or decrease these communiqués accordingly over time. 3 POST-LAUNCH Be fun - Encourage memberships via contests. Welcome new members publicly. Recognize your top contributors publicly within your online community. wonk's not done yet Be open Funnel - Use free open social networking sites to funnel members to your official online community. Announce your association's news items. Encourage memberships via contests. Welcome new members publicly. Recognize your top contributors publicly within your online community. Post to your blog regularly. 32% 65% of associations are of adult internet users use a social media running or considering private communities Tom Lehman networking site 45% *Pew Internet 61% of Twitter users share an opinion about a product or brand more than once per day of internet users use e-mail every day "Pew INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY 90% 88% of consumers trust of Gen Xers are online peer recommendations *Socialnomics 2011 "eMarketer yourmembership