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The Power of Community Groups

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What Are Groups?

You may have noticed a section on Community called Groups, and if so, perhaps you wondered, what are Groups and why would I form one?

 

Great questions. 

 

Groups are used for Community members to self-organize. They allow users to connect with one another, whether locally or globally. For example, if you’re a vacation rental owner, considering attending HomeAway’s Second Annual Summit in Austin, TX, and you have specific questions related to where to stay or eat in Austin, you’ll probably solicit more helpful feedback by posting your questions in the HomeAway Summit 2011 Group, versus posting your questions within one of our main forums.

 

Groups can be structured around any topic, from Web, Software & Technology to vacation rental owners in Branson, Missouri. Unlike the Forums section of Community, Groups can be designated as “open,” “members only,” or “private” areas. In an open Group, anyone can view content or participate any time. In a members only Group, anyone may see content, but only those who’ve joined can participate. A private Group is known to non-members, but only members can see content or participate. People can only become members of a private Group after being invited or approved by the Group’s owner.

 

A Group can contain discussions, documents, blog posts, even polls. Anyone who has joined Community may form a Group, and once created, that member becomes the Group founder. The founder has a good deal of influence on the Group, including the ability to invite folks to join the Group. The founder determines if the Group is open, members only, or private, and she can also organize content in the Group for easier perusing.

 

How to Find A Group

You can view a directory of Groups by going to the Groups page. Use the search box at the top of the page to search for Groups you want to see. You can also enter a Group owner's name to search for Groups owned by that person.  A helpful tip: you can filter the full list of Groups so that it shows only those you're likely to be interested in (or are able to join). To view the ways you can filter the Group list, click the Filters link.

 

How to Create a Group

Simply click the "Create a Group" link on the right side of the Groups page. You are prompted to enter a Group name, a description of the Group (try to capture what the Group is about in a way that will attract other people who might be interested), and one or more keyword tags that will help identify your Group.  You can also add a Group image that will be displayed on your Group’s homepage.

 

How to Invite Others to Join Your Group

Once your Group has been created, you can view your homepage, and also invite others to join your Group. Go to the Group's main page. In the Actions list on the right, click “Invite people to join this Group.” In the subsequent form, enter the email addresses of people you want to invite and edit the message however you like. Remember, if you’re inviting folks who are not already members, they will need to join Community before they can become a member of your Group.

 

How to Manage Members of Your Group

To manage the members of a Group, go to your Group's main page, then click Manage Group members. On the Manage Group members page, you can select check boxes for the members you want to manage. For the members you've selected, you can ban them from participating, delete their membership, or send them messages. You may also change a selected member's role from administrator to member, or back the other way. An administrator role lets the member make the same kinds of changes you can make as the Group's owner (except delete the Group).

 

Groups are a terrific way to connect with others. If you’ve ever wanted to share ideas around a similar topic, keep track of issues using documents and polls, or voice your opinion with the help of a blog post, there is probably a Group out there just for you, and if not...you can create it!

 

All the best,

Laura Kelso

 

HomeAway Global Community Manager


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