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Academic Outreach Technology Services East Carolina University

Matt Long

Creating a Successful and Lasting Online Community

“Online community building is about the people first, the shared interests or experiences next, and the tools are the means of bringing people together in new ways”

- Aliza Sherman (webworkerdaily)

Background

• How do we better connect w/ the Parents of ECU students?• Partnered with the First Year Center

– Learned about FYC– Focused on the immediate needs of the parent population– Surveyed the parents– Met with a small amount of parents face to face

• What platform?• How do we recruit parents to become a part of this network?

Parents

• Make them feel comfortable in the network environment– Simple tutorials– Be friendly and create a safe environment

• Understand your user base– Surveys, profile questions, ask for input

• Add Value– Timely Updates / Useful Information– Quick replies to any posted questions– Solve problems– Listen to your users

Parents

• Let the community shape the conversation• Encourage relationship building

– Discussion Forums– Live Chats– Parent Finder– Face to face meetups

Platform

What is Ning?• Ning is a platform that allows you to create your own social

network. Free !• Features include discussion forums,chat,groups and email• Possible examples might be..

– Health Science Educators of NC– Faculty: SOM, SON, Allied Health, Alumni– Residents– Any group with a common interest

Platform

Platform

Platform

The sitehttp://ecuparents.ning.com

Wrap-Up

Thank you for attending!Matt Longlongm@ecu.eduhttp://twitter.com/mclgreenville