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How To Build A Community That Will Spread Your Brand's Word

Douglas Atkin, who wrote The Culting Of Brands: How To Turn Customers Into True Believers, observes that brand communities have mushroomed since he published his book six years ago, and social tools like Facebook and Twitter have exploded. But, he says, most brand stewards are confused about what "community" means.

"Being a fan or follower is not the same as being a member of a community," he writes. "Membership delivers a whole higher degree of commitment. It also demands a whole other level of engagement from participants and, consequently, a deeper appreciation by the community leader of their responsibilities."

Atkin then offers five different strategies for building a community along with examples of marketers who have done so. But the golden rule in the brand-community business, he says, is "BE USEFUL." If you prove that you genuinely care about the people who are giving you their hard-earned dollars, "the social networks will enable people to tell others. If you don't, they'll also enable people to tell others."

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