The Virtual Gardener
The place where I explore online community cultivation, propagation and harvesting techniques.
I've been working as head of consultancy at Sift for the last four years. The business supports all organisations looking to respond to a Web 2.0 world and truly engage with their audience - and has been doing so for the past 10 years.
This blog originally started out as a comment on a conference I attended about online communities. I'm now using it as a thought-bin for related stuff. Any gaps in posting doesn't mean I've stopped thinking ...
May 15, 2008
4:04pm
In plain English: How simple explanations build pathways to community adoption
I think the Common Craft husband and wife team are brilliant. It’s where I get all my techie know-how. Lee LeFever’s basic point is that there is a mismatch between what is heard and what matters. ‘The curse of knowledge’ and talking in the ‘echo chamber’ where phrases that recurred throughout the conference.
He demonstrated the problem with his client Wetpaint, a Wiki provider. When you look at the Wiki video it’s clear why Wetpaint needed them!
Key points:
1. You need to know your audience’s context. On their behalf the question to ask is: “Why should I care?”
2. Take away real-world pain - satisfy a need
3. Re-frame assumptions - e.g. a Wiki is a social site for everyone
4. Use big, simple ideas - not features
5. Use a story
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