Sustainable Social Networks and Virtual Communities : Creating Social Networks and Online Communities that Last
Social networks and online communities are reshaping the way people communicate, both in their personal and professional lives. What makes some succeed and others fail? What draws a user in? What makes them join? What keeps them coming back? Entrepreneurs and businesses are turning to user experience practitioners to figure this out. Though they are well-equipped to evaluate and create a variety of interfaces, social networks require a different set of design principles and ways of thinking about the user in order to be successful. Design to Thrive presents tried and tested design methodologies, based on the author's decades of research, to ensure successful and sustainable online communities -- whether a wiki for employees to share procedures and best practices or for the next Facebook. The book describes four criteria, called "RIBS," which are necessary to the design of a successful and sustainable online community. These concepts provide designers with the tools they need to generate informed creative and productive design ideas, to think proactively about the communities they are building or maintaining, and to design communities that encourage users to actively contribute. Provides essential tools to create thriving social networks, helping designers to avoid common pitfalls, avoid costly mistakes, and to ensure that communities meet client needs Contains real world stories from popular, well known communities to illustrate how the concepts work Features a companion online network that employs the techniques outlined in the book
eBook, English, 2009
Elsevier Science, Burlington, 2009
1 online resource (249 pages)
9780080957203, 008095720X
1039718570
Front Cover; Design to Thrive: Creating Social Networks and Online Communities that Last; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Foreword; Acknowledgments; Where Did This Book Originate?; Chapter 1: Why Design to Thrive?; Why?; Buzz-Why Should You Be Interested?; What Experience has Taught Me; Five Types of Online Groups Clients Seek; Technological Testosterone Poisoning; RIBS: The Four Elements Necessary for Long-Term Success; What are RIBS Good for?; Works Cited; Chapter 2: The Nature of the Beasts; What are We Talking About?; Synopsis. What is a Social Network (Compared to an Online Community)?What is an Online Community (Compared to Lists, Discussion Groups, or Forums)?; Conclusion; Works Cited; Chapter 3: Why Invest in Social Networks and Online Communities?; What are these Systems Good for?; Synopsis; Why Build Social Networks and Communities?; Conclusion; Works Cited; Chapter 4: Remuneration; Crafting Meaningful Social Experiences; Synopsis; Introduction; Remuneration as User experience; Remuneration does not Equal Functionality or the Business Model; Be Responsible for the User Experience. Scratching the Sociability ItchPutting "Business Before Pleasure"; What is Remuneration?; Techniques; 1. Make the Text Editor Fun; Add Emoticons; 2. Use a Subscription Application Form; 3. Mentors Teach; 4. Seed the Discussion; 5. Use Stars on Messages to Show Membership Contribution Levels; 6. Rank the Value of Members' Messages; 7. Remove the Fear Factor by Providing Examples of How to Participate; 8. Create a Safe Environment by Sending out "Tickle" Messages; 9. Create a Regular Event; 10. Don't Automatically Archive. 11. Discourage Attempts to Send Conversations to Other Blogs, Web Sites, or Discussion Groups12. Ban Redistribution Servers and Cross-Postings; Conclusion; Works Cited; Chapter 5: Influence; Differences in Members' Social Experience Needs; Synopsis; Introduction; The Importance of Influence; The Consequence of Disallowing Influence; Play; Types of Members and Need for Influence; Techniques; 1. Set up an Advisory Council; 2. Respond to Every Concern Without "Administrivia"; 3. Show the Number of Times that a Message has been Viewed; 4. Have a "Report-A-Problem" on Every Page of the Site. 5. Include in Your Application Why they Want to Join6. Have Exit Surveys; 7. Run Periodic Surveys; 8. Allow Avatars; 9. Require Profiles; 10. Create a Visitor's Center; 11. Put Novices With Novices; 12. Give Elders Opportunities; 13. Demand Respect; 14. Publish and Enforce Safety Policies; Conclusion; Works Cited; Chapter 6: Belonging; Designing the Experience of Belonging; Synopsis; Introduction; Initiation Rituals; Stories of Origin; Leveling up Rituals; Mythologies; Symbols and Codes; Protocols, Routines, and Schemas; Techniques; 1. Create and Distribute a Story of Origin
2. Create an Initiation Ritual