Community

There are many types of communities. The two types we lose sleep over are peer communities and viewer communities. Both are extremely powerful tools to help your show succeed.

Viewer Communities

This section is short, but it is important. Very important!

Viewer interaction, within the community and with the creators of a show, is the big difference between Web shows and old school TV shows. Viewer communities are the new kids on the block, and they are very powerful. Fancier terms used to describe this phenomenon are Social Networking, Online Community, Chat, Discussion Boards, and all of those fall under the newly named theory of Participatory Media. This kind of media allows producers of shows to form and shepherd communities of fans that can significantly increase traffic, while also providing crucial viewer feedback and testing. Whatever you call it, the Web's ability to facilitate comments, discussions, user created video, and contact with the producers of a show is truly revolutionary. When done well, with respect and safety in mind, it can create loyal, repeat viewers who often help your show improve and submit their own content.

Research consistently finds that most people are observers in any online community. About one in 10 participate, and a very few become extremely active. This is sometimes called the "90, 9, 1 rule." As active posters make themselves known, "deputize" them. Recognize them and reward them for their time and help.
Blip enables each video to accept comments and this is a good place to start. As your community grows, you'll need to use more robust software and devote more time to monitoring and engaging with your community. As it gets easier and easier for viewers to create good video, user submitted content can also help build traffic and increase engagement.

Perhaps the best early model of a successful Web show supported by a vibrant global community was The Show With Ze Frank, a one-year, one-man, daily comedy show. Users submitted intros, helped a fan travel across the US, and made the show evolve. JetSet's community uses free social networking software by Ning.com, and is a good model to consider.

Marks of A Good Community

  • Protects viewer's personal information and safety.
  • User comments and emails are responded to quickly.
  • The managers of the community practice objectivity when there is conflict within their community, and keep the law of the land.
  • Viewers are encouraged to participate and are rewarded when they do.
  • The community grows and shrinks by viewer activity, not by managers building "ghost towns" they hope will fill up.

Peer Communities

Web show producers consistently tell us that their peers are vital to their success, not to mention an unusually supportive and cool group of people! When starting out, they asked questions. After getting their chops, they stay active in the community by helping others. Web show producers also look to the community for feedback on their work, for business partners, employees and industry news. Don't work in a vacuum! Get a little help from your friends. And remember, the more you give, the more you'll get. As the number of people trying to attract eyeballs increases, things might get a little bit more Hollywood. See the old tried and true adage, "It's not what you know, but who you know." Web shows are very basically a mini Hollywood, and like any profession that is especially attractive (ie. you can work from your living room), there is a growing line of very skilled people behind and in front of you trying to do what you do. But you already knew that. We know you're on it!

Groups: The Big Kahuna! Start here. Yahoo Video Blogging group.

In-Person: Vloggercon, Pixelodeon.

Local Meet-Ups in: Television Production, DV Video, and Blogging.

Links

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