The tasks of an online community manager will be conducted primarily online, is more or less in the name. Yet it is worthwhile to also try to highlight the offline opportunities. They are there because in certain situations does exist. They can even be a major contribution to improved use of the online community.

In my own practice, community manager for Deloitte Consulting Cafe, a business community for the consulting practice of Deloitte, has shown that offline promotion has a positive effect on user activity.
The effective functioning of a business community is, regardless of the specific goals, it is important that as much as possible (preferably all) people are connected. This is particularly true because the target is not inexhaustible. For an employee to encourage or create an account Be it to activate it, it will first be convinced of the utility. And once the employee has taken the crucial first step, it is desirable that it is actually active in the online community. It is clear that not every (potential) user is immediately aware of the fact, see the fine job for the community manager.

Particularly in business communities, the community manager more often than average opportunity for community members to meet in person. For in that situation to be recognized as a community manager, it is essential to a recent online and easily recognizable image as an avatar to use. Thus, the appearances of the online and offline community manager associated with each.

I give meaning to my offline active role through regular team meetings to visit and take the opportunities in terms of team building and knowledge to explain. At such meeting, I immediately had the opportunity to respond to questions and comments from users. This is generally regarded as useful. Also a live demonstration of the platform bearing fruit. For every social media environment is a certain learning curve, the faster it will overcome the better!

My experience is that it actively engaging the dialogue immediately poses a number of motivated users then the other team members in tow. I myself feel better offline commitments are met, both by groups and individuals. In many cases, even during the meeting the action to the word!
Outside the team meetings to the community manager of a business community generally easy, the prevailing themes or interests within the organization to identify. Here the challenge is to the right people to talk and motivate them to begin a thematic group. That appeal is meant literally, in the hallways, during lunch or after making an appointment.
During an appointment, you can directly support the target group initiator in creating and organizing a group, inviting members and so on. The better the newly minted host is guided and supported group feels, the more likely that the group a success.

Finally it is worthwhile to initiate a Key Users Group. The basis of this fervent group consists of a number of community users, the users who exhibit exemplary behavior. This group to fill with people who play a crucial role within the organization regarding the dissemination of information or knowledge sharing. Thus, the involvement of management is often a plus, but it can also be people that you otherwise can expect a significant contribution to the community can provide.
Key Users The first Meeting of Deloitte Consulting Cafe was very successful. It soon became clear that the enthusiasm of the avid users naturally spread to the other participants. I could see the enthusiasm role to let them myself and had operated mainly focus on the supportive role. The meeting has, thanks to the enthusiasm of Key Users, led to a sharp increase in activity within both users and Consulting Cafe.

Meanwhile, one month later, a follow up session took place where the other attendees on the basis of the figures presented the positive impact of their activities could look back. Were also enthusiastically shared experiences and tips, following a session is already planned.
Also true for online communities: word of mouth is the best advertising.

Rich Kooy.