With AdTech '08 Chicago just around the corner, I thought I would give you more insight into my presentation on "How Online Communities Help Create Customer Evangelists". Once you read the teaser, feel free to stop by the booth (#406) next week to join in on the conversation.

As I see it, there are four things to consider (keeping in mind that your unique business needs will drive your overall strategy), and here they are:

1. Online communities are a great way for organizations to become more TRANSPARENT with their customers, partners, and employees. Transparency helps eliminate the walls and barriers . . . those internal and external silos. Online communities allow individuals to feel more apart of the brand. When you are open and honest, so are your customers.
   
   ASP.net
   
    
   
2. Online communities provide a FEEDBACK LOOP so you can mine all kinds of data about what people are saying about your products and services. It gives customers a way to voice their opinion, address an issue, solve a problem, and even help drive innovation.
   
   Direct2Dell
   
   
   
3. Online communities allow individuals to get satisfaction by simply CONNECTING and collaborating with them. Sometimes it's the warm and fuzzy, “feel-good” feeling on inside that gets people emotionally connected to your brand and gets them coming back for more.
   
   EA Skate
   
   
   
4. Online communities enable people like to talk about things they are involved in. There are always enthusiasts that want to go online to share experiences and opinions with others, so give them the platform to PARTICIPATE! (BTW, they’ll do it with or without you, so why not be involved in the conversation?)
   
   MySpace
   

 

Want more than just a teaser? Come find me:

Day/Time: Tuesday, August 5 at 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Location: Sponsored Vendor Seminar Theater on the Expo Hall Floor
Speaker: Burt Barnes "Me", Community Server Product Evangelist, Telligent