The AOL Community Info Blog

Who would have thought 10 years ago that you would become as computer savvy as you are today? With some basic knowledge and a little direction, you can become a media mogul for your favorite online community.

First, start off with a topic for your community. Because I am a cyclist, I'll use bicycling as an example.
 
Next, pick a community tool you want to promote (blog, message board, etc.).

How do you let others know about your new community?

How do you make sure you always have a constant stream of new visitors and participants? 

Read on for the 4-1-1.

Mentioning your community in as many places as are appropriate online is the best way to promote your space. The way I see it, there are two ways to promote a community: online and offline.

First, I’ll explain how to promote your community using online tools.

Blogs
If you are a blogger, chances are you already read other blogs. Do these blogs have similar subject matter as yours? If so, ask the author to add alink to your blog, and offer to add a link to his. Kinda like the “scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back” philosophy.

Web Page
If you created a Web page using AOL Hometown, does it link to your message board thread and blog? Does it link to your chat room?  

In addition, do your friends have a Web pages? Do that reciprocal back scratch thing and see if they will link to your page.

Signature
Spamming the message boards isn't recommended (and it is a TOS violation), but you can include the address to your community in your sig line.

You could also drop a link to it in the context of the conversation you are having in another community.

E-Mail Messages
Include a hyperlink to your community in your e-mail signature. That way, everyone you write to will know where to find you in your off time.

IM Away Messages
Using your IM “Away Message" is probably the most clever and overlooked way to promote a community. To do this, drag the heart icon into the window of a new away message.
 
Offline

Think back over 20 years ago, before AOL was around and before the Internet was a ubiquitous medium. There are several proven methods people used to promote their own “analog” or non-online communities.  Read on to check out some real gems.

Word of Mouth
Any successful advertiser will agree that word of mouth is still the most effective way to promote a product or service. This applies to online communities as well. The next time you are at a social gathering, club meeting, etc., remember to mention your community to others.

Also, the next time you talk to your relatives, friends or acquaintances, take advantage of their ears and give a plug for your community. A little word of mouth goes a long way!
 
Business Cards
Using business cards is another way to get the word about your community out.  With today’s computer printers, you can make your own cards in a snap and even add a little personal flair to them.  Check your local computer store for business card paper and a program to create the cards, if your computer didn’t come with the software preinstalled.

Many print shops and photocopy centers have business card creation services for a low fee.  The other day I saw an advertisement in my local paper that was offering 250 business cards for $19.95. That is a low price to add a professional form of advertisement to your community!

Once you have your cards, bring some with you wherever you go. You never know when you might be able to spread the word.

Return Address Labels
The next time you order return address labels, list the Web address of your community at the bottom of the label. Then your little corner of the Web will show up in mailboxes across the country.

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