Comments on: Online Community Manager: Yes, It’s Really A Job

By: Deb McClanahan

Deb McClanahan — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:04:09 +0000

Yes, it is really a job. The emphasis in most organizations is on the product management factor – you really need to have the “hard wired” discipline of product management. That is, know what it takes to build and launch new products, know how to prioritize new features that will go into existing products, have the discipline to develop marketing requirements documents and product requirement documents and know what to do with those internally to get the product(s) to live. This is all very much harder than it sounds – and it’s as important as being the customer advocate.

By: Marty Halpin

Marty Halpin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:20:37 +0000

At Ping Identity, we have a Community Manager and a Community Architect. Whats the difference? The manager tends to be more closely aligned with marketing and strategy. The architect is more technical and tactical. In fact the architect role is one I am looking for candidates currently. Please see the JD at http://www.pingidentity.com/about-us/career-detail.cfm?customel_datapageid_1441=11527

By: Have You Thanked a Community Manager Today?

Have You Thanked a Community Manager Today? — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:06:15 +0000

[...] an important role that I did a whole series of posts about community management last year, about online community manager jobs; what community managers actually do; what skills are required to be successful in the role; and [...]

By: JR Fent

JR Fent — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:36:39 +0000

I’m a staffing specialist and I have question that can only be answered by Professional Online Community Managers. Would you please take 30 seconds to go answer my poll? This data would be very helpful for me. Thanks in advance. http://tinyurl.com/ocm-poll

By: rondata

rondata — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:15:29 +0000

For 18 months, I managed the developer platform at MySpace in a Community Management role. It was a great job, and while more technical than most, it involved working side by side with developers (both internal and external) to grow our platform and to engage and support our developers. It was not a role I ever thought of doing before I went to MySpace and not one that I really need a degree for, it was more the fact that I was experienced in product I was supporting. These types of jobs revolve around companies and each one is different and unique in their own way.

Some communities are technical, some for special interest, others for fun. All of them need to know there's someone on the other end who are are available for them and that support them. All communities need love and support and patience** to help them grow.

The greatest thing is, there are tons of resources out there for Community Managers and even books written on how to grow your community.

Anyway, thanks for the article. Yes it is a growing job and not one that's for everyone ;)

By: Minding the Gap in my resume « Gainful Unemployment

Minding the Gap in my resume « Gainful Unemployment — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:50:05 +0000

[...] shows. I’m also getting practical experience that should ready me for a paying gig as online community manager–a interwebs-addicted slacker’s dream [...]

By: bert

bert — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:36:37 +0000

I've been in this type of business for over 10 years and well over 30 online communities, and I must say that this is a real hard job at times. Because when your dealing with different personalities as well as age and you have to find a way to relate to each one differently. Not to mention the commitment that is needed by ones self to make it succeed.

Their are many tricks to make an online community a success to the point where I could probably write a book on the subject.

By: Interessante bookmarks week 5 | Bijgespijkerd

Interessante bookmarks week 5 | Bijgespijkerd — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:28:41 +0000

[...] Archive Online Community Manager: Yes, It’s Really A Job [...]

By: Community Managers: What Exactly Do They Do? at BLNW blog

Community Managers: What Exactly Do They Do? at BLNW blog — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:35:21 +0000

[...] once called the Online Community Organizer role a Job of the Future, and community management is still a hot job even in this tough economy. I recently gave a presentation (embedded below) about community management careers to a group of [...]

By: Adena DeMonte

Adena DeMonte — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:10:48 +0000

I love working as an online community manager, but I had never heard of the job when I was in school. I’ve always been fascinated by PR, Marketing and online communities/web 2.0. While I don’t have formal training in marketing/PR (except that one PR class back in college), I do have over 10 years as a very active social networking participant and blogger.

I’ve read that community management is the new PR. While it will never replace PR, it’s definitely an important job for any brand – whether or not they are defined as an online community/social network. I feel very fortunate to be able to work as a community manager. Don’t get me wrong – the job is tough – it takes a lot of time, patience, and determination. You get to hear from users who are thrilled with your product and you get to hear from users who don’t like it at all. You have to be aware of your online presence at all times because in many cases you become the face of the brand, at least on the web-savvy consumer side (which is growing daily.)

By: rogerpilney

rogerpilney — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:06:07 +0000

I am really enjoying your posts. I am refining my craft daily as I move into this career field full time in a paid position. Come to find out I was doing this for years but did not know there were people getting paid to do this. Go figure.. :) I am in a senior position now in my career field and transitioning to this one. I am lucky to be in a place where I can combine my other skills into this profession. Thanks again!

By: WebWorkerDaily » Archive Community Management: The Dark Side «

WebWorkerDaily » Archive Community Management: The Dark Side « — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:13:41 +0000

[...] is the fourth in a series of online community management posts. Earlier posts covered online community manager jobs, what community managers actually do, and what skills are required to be successful in the role. I [...]

By: Online Communities: Thriving in the Downturn at Fast Wonder Blog: Consulting, Online Communities, and Social Media

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:46:47 +0000

[...] talked quite a bit recently about online community careers and how they are faring in this tough economy, which reminded me that I forgot to blog about the latest ForumOne Online Community Research [...]

By: JC John Sese Cuneta

JC John Sese Cuneta — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:17:23 +0000

@Sunfell Glad to know someone who shared the same experience as me ^_^ Building and developing communities for a decade as a "hobby" was how I get started in this field. Then just like you, handing them off to others, and start a new one.

It is hard, frustrating, fun, exciting, and we learn a lot of things along the way. Like what to do and what not to do. How to handle troublesome community members and how to do Attraction Marketing and Magnetic Marketing.

And I got hired because of it! ^_^ But there are still a lot of stuff to learn, especially for us in the Philippines, Community Management evolved much faster there in the Western World ;)

By: Sunfell

Sunfell — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:51:02 +0000

It's nice to see that people are being paid to do this sometimes frustrating job. I've been creating and/or moderating communities as a hobby(horse) sideline for over a decade. I have a habit of building communities, then handing them off to folks to run. Some make it, some don't. They do have definite life-cycles.

It's very true that the broader the background and Real World experience you have, the better it is for you and the community. I can tell all sorts of stories about how a moderator/community manager can make or break a community. Or what happens when you feed the troll(s).

Running a community right is something of a Black Art, and one of these days, I will finish an article I've been working on about how to do it.

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:34:33 +0000

For nothing more than fun, I have been a Moderator and Supermoderator for seven years on a large chat forum. The site has gotten so big they have decided to hire an Online Community Manager to help run it. I never thought you could get paid for this! Anyway, taking the jump from hobby to professional is great, I’d love to get my teeth into it. I’m wondering if you good people could give me any tips when going for the interview. This is new for the guys running the site and I believe they will need me to come up with good ideas on how to run the site more effectively. Any help you could give would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Anna