Explain briefly types of blogging communities & methods to build blogging communities. Then, discuss the structure of one blogging community in brief

There are 3 types of blogging community according to Nancy White (2006) which are:

Blogger Centric Community

Blog that are owned by 1 organization but there are many authors in writing the blog. Hence, there is little opportunity for members to change and adapt to the environment.

Topic Centric Community

Blogging community that bloggers discuss on a specific niche topic. However it is difficult to search for people that had the same specific niche of interest and this will results in the slow growth of the community.

Boundaried Community

Community sites such as Myspace and Yahoo 360 where blogs are connected with social networks sites or forums. In this case, it allows bloggers to obtain easier accessibility to other blogger’s blog.

There are 8 tips to build up a blog community according to Darren (2009):

1) Starting with using comments - Interact with other bloggers.

2) Reader center post - Answering and inviting relevant questions to other bloggers

3) Interactive tools and projects - Use quiz or competition to attract other readers.

4) Invite reader generated content – Make sure the content attracts reader’s attention.

5) Become a cheer leader – Identify opportunities to cheer the community along.

6) Give readers jobs – Moderate comments and judging the competition.

7) Set readers homework – Encourages reader to report what they’ve done.

8) Give multiple avenues to ‘join’ or be a ‘member’ – Use hyperlinks at other social networks, forums to attract readers to join.

Reference

Rowse D, 2009, “8 Tips for Building Community on Your Blog”, viewed 23^th August 2011 <http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/02/28/8-tips-for-building-community-on-your-blog/>

White N, 2006, “Blogs and Community – launching a new paradigm for online community?”, viewed 23^th August 2011<http://www.fullcirc.com/weblog/2006/12/blogs-and-community-launching-new.htm>