Webcams, Open Source, and Online Media

Nothing to do with emedia today, just posting the webcam view from my office here.

Then again, maybe there is a connection with emedia and online publishing. For some reason as individuals, even at work, we feel the need to share a piece of who we are with others … to connect with them and give others a view of who’s inside. It’s the reason that web photo albums, webcams, blogs, chat rooms, forums, and the entire internet (to a degree) exist.

At their core, publishers have one job — bring their communities together around a common theme, discipline, or interest. Traditionally it’s been about bringing content to readers and connecting those who need products and services with those who sell them. But increasingly it’s the role of bringing readers together with other readers that is becoming the core responsibility of a publisher. And those who do it well are succeeding!

Take Slashdot — IMHO, this is THE best example of an online community anywhere. Techies who share common problems, roles/responsiblities, and interests with each other. (Who knew Microsoft bashing could be such a bonding experience!) The folks at Slashdot have realized what many publishers still haven’t: that they are there to serve the community, give them a voice, and be a platform for the community to help itself. After all, they totally get the whole OpenSource idea.

Those publications that facilitate interaction and participation for the communities they serve will not only succeeed, they’ll thrive. Those that keep to one-way communication from the elite to the masses may stick around, but they’ll be relegated to the outer niches of publishing.

BTW, marketers can take a hint here too! Find ways to rally your customers into a community. Help them connect with each other and with your experts. Give them a voice, let them post their pictures, successes, etc., and let them materially participate on your web site — even if you may not like what you hear. Don’t let the liability lawyers keep you from doing something that will cement your relationships with your customers. Use a disclamier, or have them click a button — whatever you need to do to cover your butt — but bring your communities together and watch your business grow.

Or watch others do it and take your customers…

Gosh, looking at the webcam (or my window), it’s just too nice to stay in and write any more. Need to get out of my virtual community and into my real world community more often