There are many ways we can all make a difference in technical communities as individuals and as part of a team, group or company. This article provides top recommendations -- actions you can take -- to make a difference to community and the many individuals that depend on community-provided information.
Participate by making at least one addition to this article today! Continue participating by selecting other activities and then sharing your experiences (and activities)!
Microsoft is active in many different types of virtual and physical communities all over the world and reaching thousands of individuals. To explore Microsoft communities, begin with a visit to Microsoft Technical Communities (on Microsoft.com).
Communities are complex entities. The Active Directory community that coalesces on Microsoft Forums can be dramatically different than the one on Twitter tweeting with the Active Directory hastag. To effectively participate and understand the landscape, you must listen to the conversation and learn key topics, community norms, communication style, who "knows their stuff" and who may not, and a host of other clues that will shape how you engage.
Here are some concrete activities you can do to listen (or listen more effectively):
Technology provides many ways to engage. Customers can leave comments, rate material, update assets, or provide direct feedback via email, chat or other mechanism. But even the best technology and most conscientious feedback means nothing (or worse, hurts your reputation, product adoption, or community health) if it is not addressed.
The following activies focus on finding and acting on feedback to your contributions, your areas of interests and/or products, and the community:
According to the Pew Charitable Trust, reputation management has now become a defining feature of online life for many internet users (Reputation Management and Social Media). Without sufficient reputation, it is difficult to win trust and therefore less likely someone will use/act on your contributions.
Nurture your reputation with the following activities:
Community is not an afterthought. Weave community into your current activities and make them an integral part of your future plans. Be bold!
Many of the activities below applies to the content publishing / information experience discipline but can be adopted to other scenarios:
Build trust through transparent collaboration, relationships build on good intentions, and by contributing valuable nuggets that meet community needs. There are never enough knowledgeable community participants!
Try some of the following activities:
Make a difference in the community by shepherding planning and feature discussions, managing rules and codes of conduct, organizing grass roots efforts, acting as an ambassador or serving where needed.
Be a change agent. Here is how:
Microsoft Most Valued Professionals are already well-known community participants and Microsoft technology supporters. Many MVPs and other influentials are community activists, providing help, guidance, unique program extensions and new applications, and scenario-based information based on real-world experience online and in person at community and industry events.
Reach out using the following activities:
Spend time providing content and support to those learning technology and joining technical communities. Community is valuable because it is diverse; without it, community and the information it provides will not evolve
Here are some actions you can take:
Are you a seasoned contributor? An active participant? An enthusiastic first-timer? Help grow and sustain community by encouraging your friends and colleagues to join, listen and participate!
The activities below can help expand the reach (and impact) of community: