One of the challenge today is building a social community that is genuine or what I like to say authentic. With the new age of Social Media and Social Networking people are still trying to build their communities on monetary value. They are trying to build a list of people so that they can pitch and sell too. With the new global Social interaction this will only get you so far until people see through you. On the other side of the coin people are looking for direction and there are so many people in the the Fight or Flight state because of everything that has happened over the last 4 years. Going through a recession, people losing their jobs, financial challenges and all the issues that come with those. People are looking for a solution to get them out of the Fight or Flight state into a place were they feel safe and secure.

I personally see this as I’m keeping my ear to the grown, watching how people are communicating on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs…etc How you can see 80% to 90% of communication is about making money. I completely understand we all have to pay our bills, put food on the table, clothes on our back. The difference is the new economy is about helping people and building a relationship with them. What you are seeing is that people who value the help will give back, be it a trade of service, monetary or bartering to help someone else. Now if you look back to the early 50′s and in small communities today that haven’t been modernized you will see this. Communities are there to help each other. I will help you cut down that tree, if you help me build my garage. This same way of thinking our Grandparents or our parents depending how old you are. They understood the importance of community and looking out for each other. The difference is their community was local tight net community and everyone knew each other.

Today that way of thinking and that community now is global. If you don’t believe me take a look at someone who you know that is famous. See if they have a Fan Page on Facebook if they do, check out who is posting in their page and where are they from. You will quickly see that even if you are in a local business as soon as you post anything on the internet you are instantly putting yourself out their to the global community.

This is important to know because you have to know what you are going to get if you put yourself on the internet and are looking to build a community. In a short period of time you can be know internationally if people are connecting to what you have to say be it video, articles, posts…etc

The question is How do you build a Genuine Social Community;

1. Build a strong foundation for yourself of who you are and what you want. This way no matter who comes to your community it wouldn’t phase you. Trust me there are some great people out there and there are people who are still trying to find their way.

2. Be authentic by letting people know what is the purpose of the community you are building.

3. Connect with people just like you would build a friendship do the same with your community. Don’t pitch or sell. If you are looking to sell a product and that is your purpose to build the community. Trust me it wouldn’t last. Just like you would help your best friend when they need it, you have to think of your community in the same way. For example I’m a Social Technologies coach and people ask me about technologies. I don’t try to bill them I give them links, websites, articles…etc then I ask them did that answer their question. That is exactly what I would do with my friends. Now of course there is a line all my friends who understand and we have a mutual appreciation. We will help each other as much as we can but if it gets to the point the relationship isn’t 50/50. Meaning I give the 50% of my knowledge and time but they are not giving the same or the valued amount. Then I tell them sorry I can’t help you. Remember a relationship of any kind should be 50/50 if it isn’t then you need to look at the dynamics of the relationship.

4. Last but not least the community you build should be fun, educate people and help them.

As I see it, the world as we know it is changing. Be it business, relationships, friendships, the energy round us you name it. It is up to us as a society to realize this so that we can build a strong community that is about helping each other.

Love & Chi,

Brandon Krieger HLC, ITIL, PPS

Social Technologies Coach & Professional Speaker