- Create something worth building a community around. The key to building a community is a great product. Frankly, if you create a great product, you may not be able to stop a community from forming even if you tried. By contrast, it’s hard to build a community around mundane and mediocre stuff no matter how hard you try. We only have to look at the iPod it is more than an MP3 player it is a culture. People are looking for something to believe in and to share that belief with other like minded people. Whether it be a church, service club or a self help group if we don’t really believe in what we are doing we won’t be committed to those who are a part of the group.
- Create an open system. Communty needs to be open to newcomers. This is one of the more dificult things to do because newcomers threaten the unity. They will come with new ideas and may at times challenge the community. But they are neccessary for growth.
- Foster the conversation. In any conflict the first thing to go is the communication. We stop talking to each other. Community needs talk and lots of it. Not negative words that take away from the group but words that add to the purpose and mission of the group.