Community managers have to stay on top of current events. If you know what’s going on in the world around you, you will always have fodder to successfully engage the masses.
From national news to local news to quirky and even strange news, take some time each day to brush up on the latest happenings and conversation pieces and bring the conversation to your community.
One of the things we did in every morning meeting at every TV station I’ve worked is answer the question: “What are people talking about?” Answering that question almost always yields a ton of great story ideas and makes newscasts relevant to the communities they serve.
As a community manager, you serve a community so figure out how to deliver relevant information to that community and you will see a new notice a new level of engagement. Start with current events and you can’t go wrong.
Now, it wouldn’t be my style to leave you without examples, so here are a few select links to blogs I posted in the community I manage over the last few months, based on current events
- Current event: An increase in minimum wage across the state.
- My post: Minimum wage, memory lane
- Current event: Michael Jackson dies
- My post: Your Michael Jackson memories
- Current event: Horrible morning commute due to rain
- My post: Is it really that difficult to drive in the rain?
- Current event: Local boy taken into custody for content posted online
- My post: Could your comments land you in jail?
Do you see where I’m going with this? Tap into the treasure trove of news out there and make it your own. Give the community something to talk about. It’s the first step toward building a highly engaged community.
Keep me posted on your success.
-Angela
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July 25, 2009 at 3:04 am
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August 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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August 3, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Lilian
I like your idea of using current events to engage. It can be a way to encourage lurkers to participate, on topics where everybody has something to say. What about the frequency of such posts ?
I think as long as it’s focused on the blog’s goals, it’s still going to be useful and narrative enough to raise attention.
December 15, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Mike
Good advice. It’s always best to be prepared with an opinion on whatever topic, and that is only possible by staying well informed.