Three Foundations for Online Engagement

Back in July I was providing recording services for an inventors group. My partner and I were streaming a LIVE presentation, before and after the recording I had struck up some interesting conversation with several members. I realized that while I was surrounded by all this amazingly brilliant gray matter with amazing stories, they didn't know how to share them. These people are creating, developing, building, dreaming of new ways to do things; everything from new lighting sources to complicated computer electronics for guided missiles.

They wanted to find a way to share their stories and they knew that online tools would provide for them this opportunity.

Evaluating Online Engagement

Yesterday I got a call from one of the members, who after three months still remembered me and wanted to ask me a few questions. The overall idea he was trying to wrap his head around was "How can I engage more with people who would be interested in what I am doing?" While it's normal for me, for some, an online lifestyle is foreign ground. I had a great conversation with him and it got me thinking on a foundation for online engagement.

These ideas are broad, and could probably be boiled down to a much larger list, but for someone who has never engaged with an online community or been active in creating content, I thought these concepts would be easy enough to digest.

Personality

Not everyone needs to be an extrovert. I've seen introverts, shy and quiet, engage online and create content with the best of them. Personality comes down to one thing - are you interesting? Everyone has a story to tell but how are you telling yours? We all have the capacity to be good storytellers, but it's all in how we do it. Think about that.

Technology Resources

It's important to understand your resources. Not everyone is going to have top of the line gear to record film, audio, and take photographs. Focus on what you do have. Access to a computer is always nice, followed by a phone with a camera on it, maybe it can record video. Knowing what you have and finding creative ways to use it can help you create content that you can easily share with others.

Knowing Your Niche

You can't be everything to everyone, that's something I learned at an early age. Knowing your audience is key. Many start their journey thinking everyone will want to hear what they have to say. That's just not true. When you know your topic, and you know your resources, knowing your audience will provide you some direction. Create your own niche if necessary. The online world is about redefining spaces, pushing boundaries, and as Chris Brogan would call it, becoming a game-changer.

All in all keeping these three ideas in mind is a great way to start your own online presence.

What do you think?

Photo Credit manu contreras