Now let me be clear, I have never been a huge fan of the ‘For Dummies’ books. Don’t get me wrong, I have cracked a couple of those books in the days when I was attempting to learn how to code. I have, however, read the recent, Online Community Management for Dummies book by the wicked smart Deb Ng and have to say it is the best I’ve read in this series.
If you are new to the community management role, this book is for you. Deb outlines the many hats you must juggle as a community manager both on and offline. The book is comprised of seven parts ranging from community governance to hosting meetups and is full of tips and tricks from someone who has the battle scars of fostering a community. The underlying theme of each chapter is the focus on the health of the community…not the numbers or superficial and false indicators of success.
The role of community manager is anything but new, but it is the “it” job at present. If you are making the case for a community manager, the final section is comprised of three top ten lists that may help you with your cause. The lists outline the tasks, skills and best practices of a community manager. A community manager is an integral part of the organization because he/she is the bridge between the organization and the communities it serves. This is no position for a dummy, but everyone needs a good roadmap or refresher course, so pass on this book on to your community team. Start a discussion about how you can begin fostering a healthier dialog online and offline.
Thanks to Wiley and Deb Ng who sent copy of this book to me. Good news for readers…I pre-ordered this book months ago and have a highligher-free copy to give away. Please enter a comment below about why you would like to read this book or pass along to your community manager.
