July 19, 2007 36 Comments

Weaving Communities

Weaving Why am I spending a lot of time on Twitter? What am I doing on Facebook? Why do I blog and podcast and videoblog and comment and seek out ways to communicate digitally? Why do I give out my cell phone number for phone calls? Why do I fly around the country with Jeff Pulver and buy beers and sodey pop for people we meet and love at gatherings?

Weaving.

I’m looking at how we can use these digital tools to make something happen. I’m not as concerned with the WHAT as I am with the HOW. In the case of our Grasshoppers group on Facebook, I’m seeing if we can build a group of people dedicated to being helpful. In the case of PodCamp, I’m trying to connect communities of people interested in using these digital tools to build and extend relationships.

The question I struggle with often is this: how can I teach someone how to do this? How do I show you what I’ve come up with that YOU can (and should) do for yourself? How do I replicate what I’ve figured out in such a way that you can do something with it?

Some of you have been along for the ride from the start. Others have shown up since Twitter got hot. Others have found me through various real world community and digital community touchpoints.

Have you LEARNED and ABSORBED and MODELED anything from what we’re doing here, or should I find other ways to do even more to teach out what I’m learning? Can you see it? Is there something there you might need?

If you read Seth’s blog, it appears my job is a nifty one (and I concur). Thanks to Lemons for kindly pointing it out, and/or mentioning me on her blog.

But are you learning, am I teaching well, and what could I be doing better to empower you to build community?

And if you’re new here, please feel free to subscribe for free and stick around a bit.

Related posts:

  1. Activated Communities
  2. Maintaining Community Spirit In Larger Communities

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  • http://www.loudmouthman.com Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    I know I am teasing when I say this but I have just blogged about exactly what your role is. The link is as yet awaiting publisher approval ( sigh its the evening here in the UK ) I have been pondering the why and the how and the where of the value of social networks and how they can be utilised. I have even been asked by my own clients, How do I get involved ? , As Soon as the link is public I will get back here with a link for you.

    Now why have I chosen Oreilly and not Loudmouthman to blog about this ? Well the brand for Loudmouthman is better suited for internal and open source community conversations. The Those who know me crowd. I have been using OReilly to create another brand and message which I can link into from the new company names I am planning to use. It will give them a “polish” and professional credential by using the social networks and blogo sphere in a productive and positive way.

    Will it work ? Thats what I am blogging and betting on.

    Thanks.

  • http://www.loudmouthman.com Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    I know I am teasing when I say this but I have just blogged about exactly what your role is. The link is as yet awaiting publisher approval ( sigh its the evening here in the UK ) I have been pondering the why and the how and the where of the value of social networks and how they can be utilised. I have even been asked by my own clients, How do I get involved ? , As Soon as the link is public I will get back here with a link for you.

    Now why have I chosen Oreilly and not Loudmouthman to blog about this ? Well the brand for Loudmouthman is better suited for internal and open source community conversations. The Those who know me crowd. I have been using OReilly to create another brand and message which I can link into from the new company names I am planning to use. It will give them a “polish” and professional credential by using the social networks and blogo sphere in a productive and positive way.

    Will it work ? Thats what I am blogging and betting on.

    Thanks.

  • http://www.loudmouthman.com Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    I know I am teasing when I say this but I have just blogged about exactly what your role is. The link is as yet awaiting publisher approval ( sigh its the evening here in the UK ) I have been pondering the why and the how and the where of the value of social networks and how they can be utilised. I have even been asked by my own clients, How do I get involved ? , As Soon as the link is public I will get back here with a link for you.

    Now why have I chosen Oreilly and not Loudmouthman to blog about this ? Well the brand for Loudmouthman is better suited for internal and open source community conversations. The Those who know me crowd. I have been using OReilly to create another brand and message which I can link into from the new company names I am planning to use. It will give them a “polish” and professional credential by using the social networks and blogo sphere in a productive and positive way.

    Will it work ? Thats what I am blogging and betting on.

    Thanks.

  • http://gischeleman.com Doug Haslam

    Chris, to speak for myself– you ar eon a wavelength that keeps me building on these same networks, and seeing the relevance to my day-to-day work. Furthermore, I can justify and prove uses to my bosses and clients.

    As a PR guy, the social Web is reminding me that all PR- -not just “PR 2.0″ — is about relationships and trust. We’re just building that trust on a new platform.

    Keep on keepin’ on Chris!

  • http://gischeleman.com Doug Haslam

    Chris, to speak for myself– you ar eon a wavelength that keeps me building on these same networks, and seeing the relevance to my day-to-day work. Furthermore, I can justify and prove uses to my bosses and clients.

    As a PR guy, the social Web is reminding me that all PR- -not just “PR 2.0″ — is about relationships and trust. We’re just building that trust on a new platform.

    Keep on keepin’ on Chris!

  • http://gischeleman.com Doug Haslam

    Chris, to speak for myself– you ar eon a wavelength that keeps me building on these same networks, and seeing the relevance to my day-to-day work. Furthermore, I can justify and prove uses to my bosses and clients.

    As a PR guy, the social Web is reminding me that all PR- -not just “PR 2.0″ — is about relationships and trust. We’re just building that trust on a new platform.

    Keep on keepin’ on Chris!

  • http://funk.co.uk Dean W

    “Some of you have been along for the ride from the start.” – and some of us have been doing this kind of connecting/building/socialising since before the beginning of time, sorry, the internet!

    Personally, I used to be in a music group. Before the internet, before cell and mobile, before WiFi. We used flyers, cassette tapes and fanzines made on photocopiers to generate interest in our cultural mission. We built communities around events and made exciting things happen out of a communal desire to celebrate and grow fulfil ourselves.

    You like asking a lot of questions, Chris, and I like that. My questions for you are these:

    1. How would you achieve your aims differently – let’s say, no Twitter, no Facebook, no digital tools? Could you achieve your aims, would you have the same aims? (OK that’s three in one!)

    2. If you could ask only one more question in your lifetime, what would it be?

  • http://funk.co.uk Dean W

    “Some of you have been along for the ride from the start.” – and some of us have been doing this kind of connecting/building/socialising since before the beginning of time, sorry, the internet!

    Personally, I used to be in a music group. Before the internet, before cell and mobile, before WiFi. We used flyers, cassette tapes and fanzines made on photocopiers to generate interest in our cultural mission. We built communities around events and made exciting things happen out of a communal desire to celebrate and grow fulfil ourselves.

    You like asking a lot of questions, Chris, and I like that. My questions for you are these:

    1. How would you achieve your aims differently – let’s say, no Twitter, no Facebook, no digital tools? Could you achieve your aims, would you have the same aims? (OK that’s three in one!)

    2. If you could ask only one more question in your lifetime, what would it be?

  • http://deanwhitbread.com/blog/ Dean

    “Some of you have been along for the ride from the start.” – and some of us have been doing this kind of connecting/building/socialising since before the beginning of time, sorry, the internet!

    Personally, I used to be in a music group. Before the internet, before cell and mobile, before WiFi. We used flyers, cassette tapes and fanzines made on photocopiers to generate interest in our cultural mission. We built communities around events and made exciting things happen out of a communal desire to celebrate and grow fulfil ourselves.

    You like asking a lot of questions, Chris, and I like that. My questions for you are these:

    1. How would you achieve your aims differently – let’s say, no Twitter, no Facebook, no digital tools? Could you achieve your aims, would you have the same aims? (OK that’s three in one!)

    2. If you could ask only one more question in your lifetime, what would it be?

  • http://www.chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Hi SuperDean! Here’s my answers:

    1.) without twitter/facebook or any digital tools, I’d be back to phone books, mail, and real time face-to-face meetings. I could achieve my aims because the same methodology applies (only far more serially): reaching out and connecting value points together. And yes, my aims would be the same.

    2.) “How can I help?”

  • http://www.chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Hi SuperDean! Here’s my answers:

    1.) without twitter/facebook or any digital tools, I’d be back to phone books, mail, and real time face-to-face meetings. I could achieve my aims because the same methodology applies (only far more serially): reaching out and connecting value points together. And yes, my aims would be the same.

    2.) “How can I help?”

  • http://www.chrisbrogan.com chrisbrogan

    Hi SuperDean! Here’s my answers:

    1.) without twitter/facebook or any digital tools, I’d be back to phone books, mail, and real time face-to-face meetings. I could achieve my aims because the same methodology applies (only far more serially): reaching out and connecting value points together. And yes, my aims would be the same.

    2.) “How can I help?”

  • http://farm.omegaproductions.org Sarah

    Chris,

    I don’t even know where to start telling you how much I’ve learned from you. A year ago, I was pretty much a newbie in the blogging world – I think yours was actually the first one I subscribed to once I figured out how my RSS reader worked! Since then, I’ve become an avid blog reader and community member (online and off), and I’ve even started my own blog – all because of what I learned from you about the importance of having a network and building a community.

    I learn the most from reading about what you’re doing – how you’re building your network, what tools you’re using, and how you and other people are benefitting from it. Then I can think about how those things relate to what I’m doing, and how to use them to build my own relationships.

    I can’t speak for the other Grasshoppers, but you’re definitely helping me tremendously – keep doing what you’re doing! =)

  • http://farm.omegaproductions.org Sarah

    Chris,

    I don’t even know where to start telling you how much I’ve learned from you. A year ago, I was pretty much a newbie in the blogging world – I think yours was actually the first one I subscribed to once I figured out how my RSS reader worked! Since then, I’ve become an avid blog reader and community member (online and off), and I’ve even started my own blog – all because of what I learned from you about the importance of having a network and building a community.

    I learn the most from reading about what you’re doing – how you’re building your network, what tools you’re using, and how you and other people are benefitting from it. Then I can think about how those things relate to what I’m doing, and how to use them to build my own relationships.

    I can’t speak for the other Grasshoppers, but you’re definitely helping me tremendously – keep doing what you’re doing! =)

  • http://farm.omegaproductions.org Sarah

    Chris,

    I don’t even know where to start telling you how much I’ve learned from you. A year ago, I was pretty much a newbie in the blogging world – I think yours was actually the first one I subscribed to once I figured out how my RSS reader worked! Since then, I’ve become an avid blog reader and community member (online and off), and I’ve even started my own blog – all because of what I learned from you about the importance of having a network and building a community.

    I learn the most from reading about what you’re doing – how you’re building your network, what tools you’re using, and how you and other people are benefitting from it. Then I can think about how those things relate to what I’m doing, and how to use them to build my own relationships.

    I can’t speak for the other Grasshoppers, but you’re definitely helping me tremendously – keep doing what you’re doing! =)

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  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

    Within the confines of a social networking app, are we REALLY interacting with each other? Or are we really interacting with the app?

  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

    Within the confines of a social networking app, are we REALLY interacting with each other? Or are we really interacting with the app?

  • http://www.24stgeorge.com Dale Cruse

    Within the confines of a social networking app, are we REALLY interacting with each other? Or are we really interacting with the app?

  • http://www.ldpodcast.com Whitney

    I’ve learned to shorten it up a good deal.
    I’ve learned community is what matters most.
    It’s the people, not the app.
    And to go ahead and try and not ask for permission

    Thanks CB

  • http://www.ldpodcast.com Whitney

    I’ve learned to shorten it up a good deal.
    I’ve learned community is what matters most.
    It’s the people, not the app.
    And to go ahead and try and not ask for permission

    Thanks CB

  • http://www.ldpodcast.com Whitney

    I’ve learned to shorten it up a good deal.
    I’ve learned community is what matters most.
    It’s the people, not the app.
    And to go ahead and try and not ask for permission

    Thanks CB

  • http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    As promised, late better than never the article on the new market space “Social Network Optimisation”.

    Your thoughts and opinions appreciated thanks

    http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html

  • http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    As promised, late better than never the article on the new market space “Social Network Optimisation”.

    Your thoughts and opinions appreciated thanks

    http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html

  • http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html Nicholas Butler

    Chris,

    As promised, late better than never the article on the new market space “Social Network Optimisation”.

    Your thoughts and opinions appreciated thanks

    http://www.oreillygmt.eu/2007/07/social-network-.html

  • http://gardenfork.tv eric : gardenfork.tv

    i’d like to see you do a weekly video podcast and post it on iTunes. Sometimes I’m more motivated by seeing/hearing you instead of reading you.

  • http://gardenfork.tv eric : gardenfork.tv

    i’d like to see you do a weekly video podcast and post it on iTunes. Sometimes I’m more motivated by seeing/hearing you instead of reading you.

  • http://gardenfork.tv eric : gardenfork.tv

    i’d like to see you do a weekly video podcast and post it on iTunes. Sometimes I’m more motivated by seeing/hearing you instead of reading you.

  • http://www.clipper.typepad.com Julia Roy

    I have learned from you Chris that I do not Twitter enough. If I twittered more though I am fearful I would be fired!!!

    Julia

  • http://www.clipper.typepad.com Julia Roy

    I have learned from you Chris that I do not Twitter enough. If I twittered more though I am fearful I would be fired!!!

    Julia

  • http://www.clipper.typepad.com Julia Roy

    I have learned from you Chris that I do not Twitter enough. If I twittered more though I am fearful I would be fired!!!

    Julia

  • http://mikeambs.com mike1630

    Chris :) You rock!

  • http://mikeambs.com mike1630

    Chris :) You rock!

  • http://projectpedal.com mike

    Chris :) You rock!

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