http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/index This feed shows recent posts in the forum of the nework Smart People Magazine.
A SP mixxt member wrote:

... one of the things that I am having
> issues with is finding out where I can contribute (or maybe it is just
> building the courage to jump in).
>
> I am a neophyte with regards to KM, passionate about it but no formal
> training and very little success in my large corporation where I don't
> have the business savvy or "political" reputation to get much
> done especially in this economic reality we are facing lately.
>
> Maybe we could have something somewhere to help those like me who have the
> passion but are lost because we aren't as far along on the path as
> most of the people I hear on the SP forums.

I wrote:

I love your message!

What better representative of Smart People magazine could we have than one for whom the magazine was designed -- a smart person who wants to know more about using her smarts for self improvement.

People like that have been put off by the complexity and mystery of as long as there has been a formal KM movement. And that's why KM isn't working as good as it should! You will learn much from our plain language approach that connects knowledge work to real life experience.

There are millions of others just like you ... and to connect with one is truly gratifying to me. To reach our goal, we will need to make many connections like this -- one connection at a time.

So, how many others do you know who may be just like you? And, how many of them could find personal value by learning about the power of using knowledge as explained by Smart People magazine?

You could help the magazine, and lots of people you know by becoming an active Smart People champion. Recommend us, send us leads with contact information, and if you are actively involved in a social network like Facebook, or want to join a social network, then become an official Smart People Representative like the eight we now have, co-hosting SP Groups in several of the leading social networks.

Or, if that doesn't suit you, then why not be creative? How would YOU like to help Smart People spread the word?

Forgive me if my first suggestion is 'too commercial'. It's just that this one element of our campaign is the most critical. And, it' not about the money; it's about the mission. If you say 'no', then we'll try something else.

More than nice messages, though, I love a volunteer! Smart People is a collaborative enterprise, and as good an example as you'll ever find of a knowledge-driven organization fueled by smarts (intellectual capital). How's that for plain language?

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Hope we soon work together!

Jerry Ash
First volunteer
Publisher, Smart People magazine

]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Wed, 27 May 2009 18:39:12 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59567 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59567
This is another one of my famous long emails -- so I hasten to explain. I am bumbling through marketing the best I can. I share with you what I'm doing in the hope that you will be aware of what I'm saying and help me do it better.

-----

I was very pleased to see the great reactions among you regarding my idea of marketing group subscriptions to companies and organizations at a fraction of the normal individual subscription price.

I mentioned this elsewhere. During the APQC meeting in Houston I was asked to write on the back of my Smart People business card one issue I was most interested in. I wrote:

"Helping people think of themselves as knowledge workers."

Boris -- who is more than a techie -- asked a good question: "I thought our slogan was 'Digital generations bringing knowledge to life'?" (I'm thinking of changing it to "Digital people", btw. Well, that's the over all theme, but I thought for the APQC corporate audience I needed to connect SP to the corporate cause -- helping people think of themselves as knowledge workers. In Houston, that was my most pressing issue.

Then I received a nice message from a major player in management (not just KM) consulting who wrote this:

"Hi Jerry, Hope you are well. It's been a long time. Very cool new venture with SP mag - good luck - tell me how I can help."

Now, this guy is in my 3,000 person contact file, but not a close friend ... so, I was thrilled. A marketing opportunity of the highest order. So I wrote this:

-----

[salutation]

Your note made my day. I've lost touch with the [organization] ever since [name] switched parties but I have not forgotten the many kindnesses granted me by [organization]i over the years.

And yes, you can help me in a big way! It might even be mutually beneficial. Chief among our marketing goals is to get Smart People magazine on the desktops of thousands of employees of knowledge-driven companies worldwide. We are taking the knowledge factor mainstream. You are in a position to help us make that happen.

The main purpose of Smart People—the magazine and the community we are developing— is to help ordinary smart people think of themselves as knowledge workers. At the APQC KM Conference a week ago I was reminded once again that organizations are spending millions of dollars creating architectures and processes to manage human knowledge but still not enough attention is being given to the people who will populate those systems.

For 15 years I’ve also observed that one of the roadblocks to effective knowledge management has been the need to change cultures—both of the organizations and the people they employ. We’ve made some progress on changing organizational culture, but we have only limited success in motivating people to share their knowledge and freely collaborate at work.

At the same time, in the past two years the social networking phenomenon has shown us that people naturally want to share even if they are slow to do it in the workplace. Some dismiss the social networks as mindless chat, but beneath all that there is some serious, self-driven business going on. One example is the shift from job boards to online networking as the primary vehicle for job search. People are now quite aware of the power of Web 2.0.

I’ve been championing knowledge management for the past 15 years on the corporate end, but last year I transferred ownership of the Association of Knowledgework to a new owner and my last issue as managing editor of Inside Knowledge magazine was published in February of this year. By April I had published the first issue of Smart People magazine. My migration to the ‘other end’ of KM was complete.

That you were impressed with the magazine matters a great deal to me. I’ll share that with the five professionals who have committed a year to this project on a contingency fee basis, as well as the eight volunteers who are spearheading viral marketing among the several social networks.

Here’s how you can play a vital role in this effort:

We believe the magazine would be a tremendous tool for companies with KM programs. They could distribute it to their entire workforces as a means of motivating the transfer of some of that knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration energy from the outside in. The magazine is designed to appeal to the ‘digitals’ (people doing stuff online). Eighty percent of the stories are about the use of knowledge outside the workplace, but connected in some way as lessons learned in living, learning, choosing, creating that also apply inside the workplace as well. Twenty percent deals explicitly with working. This is the holistic approach we are using to connect knowledge at work to knowledge wherever it is used and we believe it is a huge part of life.

Individual subscriptions are priced at $50 for 10 issues. Group subscriptions could be sold at much less. For example, a company could distribute it to the desktops of 40,000 employees at a cost of only $2 per subscription. We could change the cover to indicate that the magazine is a benefit of the company’s alliance with Smart People. And, we are planning on a network of alliances in the Smart People Community being developed by leading virtual reality pioneers including the original owner of Second Life.

T help, you could become a part of the Smart People team of volunteers. At the least, you and your associates could open doors for us that would allow us the opportunity to talk to key decision makers about a Smart People alliance and the distribution of the magazine under the company logo. At best, you could recommend it.

Tom, I know this has been a long email … and if you’re still reading it, you must be interested. And if you are, let’s talk. We are past the dreaming-planning stages, but we are still flexible. Maybe you have better ideas and we have the interest to listen. We may be a business venture, but we are driven by the same passion that has kept me involved in KM for the past 15 years. Our mission is, and has always been about advocacy and enablement.

Jerry

P.S. I've attached a PDF of the May issue. We think it's an improvement over the premiere edition.

-----

So there's my pitch. But I'm operating solo. The Smart People Reps group has been learning, collaborating with each other. But those are just the ones contributing muscle. There are great minds in the larger work group and that's why I share this with everyone. In the absence of a marketing leader, we need to huddle and execute together.

I know this will happen!

Jerry

]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Wed, 27 May 2009 17:36:28 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59545 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59545
On a happier note, Amit Ahnand has volunteered to become the Smart People marketing leader in India, making it a project for his college class. Here's his original idea which I'm asking all of you (especially the silent marketing people) to think about and advise before Amit and I embark on a marketing plan:

-----

Amit wrote:

I have a great IDEA below

Presently i am working in a Business School in Bangalore, India as Assistant Director and Faculty. The only weapons i have with me are MBA students who could take up your challenge of doing mass mailing and circulating using Technology and Internet. I have a plan to give the marketing and sales of Smart People Magazine to my students as part of their academic Internship. I shall supervise and

The corporate Database will be given to my selected students who will do Internship under me. This can also be a smart work of marketing and sales ( i can say e-Marketing) and at the end after the sales and marketing we might and we hope to see some subscription done.

Jerry to be more specific i have many students who respect my words and will take up this challenge.

First thing, they will collect the databases of emails of all the corporates/company/CEO's/CTO etc. completely in india.

Second, Once the database is been collected, i would request you to give a content that has to be done by mail promotion.

Third, Postings of Smart people Magazine subscription and content on Free web Forums and there are nearly 400 such websites. after the postings we would give the links to you in the report where ever it has been posted.

Fourth, Any response and queries will be directed to the concerned person handling Subscription of smart people magazine.

Fifth, New ways of promoting using web, media, technology will also be updated to you on regular basis.

Sixth, a report would be generated and articles will be written based on the finding and observations during this marketing and sales effort.

More Importantly this will be done at FREE of COST ( we have Free Internet for 15 hours a day except on Sundays)

This Project will start from October 1st 2009 to January 1st 2010 ( aggressively and Fiercely)
I Will supervise completely and get the job done. This will happen completely using Internet and Web Forums.

This will be an unique idea and great exposure to students as well.

This Project will start Immediately from Tomorrow ( contributing 3-4 Hours of work by students) if you say Yes to this Idea which will go on Till January 2010.

The only thing required for this is a Certificate for the students who do this Job signed by you on your letterhead.

-----

Amit needs to get his students started on the planning now. I'm ready to work with him on that, but Smart People is supposed to be a collaborative effort and I know there are many of you who are smarter than I (even in collaboration with Amit) about marketing. And all of you probably have ideas we won't think of.l

So, I need your help: 1. Input now, and 2. analysis of our plan later.

Please do this for us. Asap.

Jerry]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Wed, 27 May 2009 17:06:54 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59539 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59539
Have you seen the May issue yet?

It's been available since ... well ... May 15. If you haven't seen it then you haven't tried. If you tried and couldn't access most of the stories, that means you haven't subscribed.

If people in this workspace haven't subscribe, I'd say Smart People has an internal problem!

Those who have contributed materially to the development and launch of the magazine have received free subscriptions. If anyone feels they have been missed, please let me know. Otherwise, your first material contribution will be your subscription -- $25 now, but the half price opportunity grows short. It will be $50 soon.

If you just don't want to subscribe, then you have valuable information we need to know. Like, why do you think the magazine isn't worth $2.50 per issue? You were excited when you joined our pioneering pack. How did we lose that enthusiasm?

Maybe you're just not paying attention to Smart People mixxt messages any more? That also tells us something, doesn't it?

And while I'm nagging, where are those volunteers who said they could contribute marketing to Smart People? Wee need some! I've sent them some personal messages through mixxed. Got one fantastic response from Amit Anand in India. I'll talk about that in another message. But outside of that, zip. What does that tell us.

These are not unanticipated problems, but they are of considerable concern. We don't expect people to just come to Smart People because we published it. But we do worry about the original fans of the idea. There's something to be learned from it -- and that, in itself, is a contribution.

Speak to me!

Jerry


]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Wed, 27 May 2009 16:54:45 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59533 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.59533
We need to go viral, and you can help us immensely by spreading the word in your own community. Whether it's your entire list or just your best friends, that's how every example of Internet wildfire starts.

Talk about Smart People in your own blog. Lift a little from one of your favorite stories so far and talk about it. And always direct your readers to www.smartpeoplemagazine.com

And please understand, we are not must asking you to be our salesman! We are building an interactive community around the magazine and the most important feature of that right now is the feedback channels we are setting up to make Smart People magazine truly new media. We have eight Smart People musclepersons (men and women) hosting groups in some of the major social networks to encourage 'prosumers' -- people who want to be involved in the development of the product -- becoming engaged in this great project, not just by becoming subscribers, but by having a hand in the content and direction of the magazine.

Please let your friends in Facebook, Myspace, Linkedin, Twitter, Xing and Ning know you've seen an advance copy of the magazine (in the mixxt files) and it's a must see! And send them to the Smart People magazine discussion group in that network.

There's lots more to share with you now, but for the moment, we need to just put some muscle into spreading the word about the launch. Be sure to tell all your friends it's free, it's different, and it's going to change the way publishing and knowledging works.

Thanks a million.

Jerry]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:56:42 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49911 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49911 effort to spread the word .

Beyond the personal networking efforts, I suggest to connect with a number of major internet media channels and to talk directly with top journalists, web authors and analysts to bring Smart People Magazine to their attention.

Being a new and unique media project where people have come together to collaborate on the birthing and nurturing of the magazine, I believe many established web media channels will find a lot of interest in this collaborative and innovative initiative and will be quick to write about it.

Here are a few suggestions. I am sure there are many more:

Wired News - http://www.wired.com/
The Epoch Times ("a fresh look at our changing world") - http://www.theepochtimes.com/
David Pogue, writing for the New York Times - http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/, http://www.davidpogue.com/
BusinessWeek Technology columnists (choose one) - http://www.businessweek.com/technology/columnists/
The Wall Street Journal columnists - http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-opinion-analysis-columns.html
All Things Digital - http://allthingsd.com/
Web Worker Daily - http://webworkerdaily.com/
Electronic Frontier Foundation - http://www.eff.org/]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Avigdor Sharon) Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:44:41 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49216 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49216
I am visiting Facebook and Ning nearly every day. Facebook and Tweeter are important communication channels. I created the new AOK Future Center and the new website of the Israel Knowledge Managers Forum on Ning and therefore go there every day.

I propose my assistance in administering and co-hosting the groups on Facebook and Ning. Also, I think we should all use the badges offered by the Ning group (see http://smartpeopleforum.ning.com/main/embeddable/list) and place it all on our personal websites.]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Avigdor Sharon) Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:53:57 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49198 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.49198
Perhaps I shouldn't have put this message in "Marketing: Viral" because the viral aspect of Smart People communication is just simply "viral".

But I want you to know of the outstanding and critical roles our Social Network Host team is doing and I want to urge you to do some of the same!

Skip Boettger, Daniel Delgado, Boris Jaeger Alice MacGillivray, Alan O'Neil, Jack Ring and John Veitch have assumed roles as hosts or co-hosts on several of the leading social networks including Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Twitter, Xing and Ning. They are hosting Smart People magazine groups and networks to spread the word about Smart People magazine virally.

Their first challenge is to develop external networks that will work as input channels for 'prosumers' (people who like to have a hand in shaping the product) to feed ideas, opinion and story possibilities back to Smart People to assure that future issues are relevant to the wants and needs of subscribers and the public.

The second challenge is not really a challenge at all. Viral marketing just happens when word spreads that there's something new and special on the Internet. By connecting with networks, other initiatives have caught on like wildfire as people spread the word. Smart people is dependent on that kind of chemistry.

And so I'm asking: Will you commit to a personal campaign to spread the word about Smart People between now and our launch date -- April 15? All you have to do is tell your best friends in your own words what you think Smart People is, and what it means to you. When I get a chance, I'll try to develop a keyword list you can work from. The first issue of the magazine will also give you a clear picture of what Smart People is.

But, please, please, this is critical. Please, please set aside some time and do this for Smart People. It will matter.

To help boost your enthusiasm and energy, I'm going to upload to the mixxt files a pdf of the latest 'press proof' of the first issue. The first edition will be available free after April 15 at: www.smartpeoplemagazine.com.

You can share pdf copies of the magazine with your friends. The only thing missing is the Editorial Board and we also may be making some changes here and there -- the most significant, the price (please see my post on that and advise me). So if you send the pdf to anyone, emphasize that it is still a work in progress.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of your effort now. You are the best informed people about Smart People because you have been involved in its development. That will have a strong impact on the people you tell about it. Please, please ....

Jerry]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:00:31 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.48670 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.48670
Hi everyone. I've written an email to Boris Jaeger this morning that both of us think should be shared with the work group, partly for transparency and partly to seek your advice. Here's the critical email"

Hi Boris.

Thanks for raising the issue of price, Boris.

Michele and I were just talking about the price. It started when she proposed $3.95 for a back issue. I pointed out that we were using a round figure for a subscription -- $20. She favors $19.95 instead. Established online magazines charge as high as $39.95 and occasionally more, which I certainly think we are worth.

I've been leaning toward a low introductory price because Michele keeps saying people won't pay for 'information' on the Internet; too much is free. Yes, people could find much of the content (or similar content) on the Internet, but would they? No. And if they did search out similar content online, it would take them as long as it has taken me. As for competition, we have none. Smart People is totally unique. And, we have a huge potential market since almost everyone is a 'smart people'.

But will people see that and recognize the value of Smart People as an aggregator and thought leader? I worry.

Still, there's a good argument that if people don't want to pay, they don't want to pay at any price. And common pricing strategy works on cost of production. And so you are right to bring up the cost issue. That's coming clear right now and I will, as you suggest, share that with everybody (transparency).

Of course, we need to get this resolved before April 15 when we go live. I am attaching the detailed financial facts. These are monthly costs. I have spread your site development fee over 10 issues.

As you can see, at $20 we will need to reach 5,720 subscribers to break even. At $40 that drops to 2,860.

There is no guessing how many subscribers we will have in a year. Smart People could catch on like wildfire, or it could be slow going. Conservatively, I would have to admit that 5,720 subscribers in a year is unrealistic. The 2,860 is more realistic. The wildfire scenario would drive our revenue off the charts and then we could start thinking about a print version of the magazine! So, which vision do we follow in setting the price?

I'm going to share this email with the work group and see if anyone has useful knowledge or opinions. Thanks for forcing me into reality. Darn you :-)

Jerry

P.S. All the staff fees are based on usual and customary charges. My fee is the same as I was paid at Inside Knowledge magazine (I was part time).
]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:27:54 +0200 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.48666 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.48666
Yes, each section has its own color scheme. You and Michele think alike or you would not have guessed!

We are on track for an April 15 premiere. Meanwhile, I'll be glad to send an advance PDF to anyone in this work group who requests it. Otherwise, look for my announcement mid-month.

When it's available online, you will be able to choose between three formats: online flip reader, html online and pdf online or download.

Our only failure (and it's a biggie) is that we have not yet secured a marketing professional who will work on contingency. And so, we will have to depend on our supporters to help us with viral marketing. That means aggressively sharing the first issue with colleagues and friends. And it means joining our volunteers who are setting up as co-hosts on several social networks including Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Twitter, Xing and Ning. A few co-hosts are alone so far, and need partners. And, there are at least 15 major networks we could expand to.

We are keenly aware that the very best product won't make it without aggressive marketing. Smart People needs a buzz and it needs it to be loud around launch. Please do more than intend to help. Make a plan.

Jerry

P.S. If you need a role model, think of Boris Jaeger. His contribution to this project is unparalleled! ]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:37:16 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.46068 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.46068
With the first issue scheduled for Apri 15th, this is less than 3 weeks away! Looking forward to see an updated draft of the first issue and the full list of articles and topics. ]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Avigdor Sharon) Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:46:27 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.45506 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.45506
What a great weekend this has been! Alice MacGillivray and Jack Ring have been working with Boris Jaeger to get a conversation going on Twitter and I've set up a new Smart People magazine Group on Linkedin for John Veitch and Skip Boettger who will be the co-hosts. I've made arrangements to transfer the existing Facebook site to Daniel Delgado and I'm looking for a confirmation or offer for a second host there.

I'm also looking for co-hosts for My Space and/or any other network where anyone might want to start a Group. Boris Jaeger wants to do Xing (I'm sure he would welcome a co-host) and I've already started on Ning (I would definitely like a co-host or better).

I can't tell you which purpose for these Groups is more important -- the feedback channels or the viral marketing.

I think we agree that Smart People magazine will be a 'new media' publication. I think the most important feature of new media is that its readers be given the ability to be prosumers, not consumers. Prosumers aren't passive, they're active and the networks are there to help them decide what the future content and purpose of Smart People will be.

We've also learned that the Net Generation we see as our biggest potential market is the prosuming type. At least that's what Don Tapscott says in his new book Grown Up Digital and his opinion is backed by $4 million of research he did for a consortium of clients. Not only is Don Tapscott one of the feature writers for the first issue of Smart People, his book provides us with the best market research we could buy.

By the way, if you're over 32 you're not a Digital, so you might think you just got left behind. Not so. I am more than twice over 32 and I view myself as a CATCHING UP digital. I'm a Digital, then. Right?

If you aren't on Linkedin, an SP Group will be appearing near you soon. Meanwhile, please consider becoming an SN co-host. It will not only help us, but help you build your network and online presence. Please think about it.

Jerry

P.S. Oh, I didn't expand on the marketing benefit. Well, you know, it's the only marketing we can afford and I take solace in the news that traditional marketing doesn't work any more anyway.]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:15:39 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.43164 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.43164
Last night I sent a message to the eight volunteers who are interested in representing Smart People magazine in discussion groups on various Social Networks.

I hope I included everyone who has shown an interest. If I missed you, I apologize and urgently want to hear from you again.

Meanwhile, I thought you would like to read what I said to them and provide input if you like. Here it is:

Hi All.

Making some decisions on the Network of Networks was on the top of my pile Monday, and the weeks half over.

What's this all about?

First, I really appreciate your interest and I hope we can make this idea possible for you and for Smart People. The more we've fleshed out the magazine idea, the more I've come to realize that my bolder ideas are becoming more than reality, they are becoming necessity. A mere 'magazine' will not match the market we want to attract which is Don Tapscott's 'grown up digitals' as well as what I call the 'catching up digitals'.

In a nutshell, digitals are active, not passive listeners (readers). They're not CONsumers, they're PROsumers, meaning they want to be involved in bringing the product to market--in the case of Smart People magazine, that means every issue. They are great storehouses of knowledge and have awareness and access to even more knowledge. Collectively, they have the power to be the best editorial board and the best story hunters on earth.

That's one of the major purposes of our plan to develop a network of Social Networks. Secondarily, we expect it to draw subscribers to the magazine and everyone to our community.

At first, I envisioned a hierarchy of SNs each an overlapping circle with the Smart People Forum in the center. Boris Jaeger has seen it differently and I'm beginning to lean his way. He sees the SN Groups as dispersed networks from which the best of the best can be drawn. Either way, the Smart People Groups we set up in the social networks will be just as vital as the magazine itself--the other half of the learning loop. I smile at Tapscott when he says "we will soon be learning from the children".

Well, I hope that's enough hype to get your juices going and give you an overview of what the SP SN Network is all about.

I sensed Smart People would need to appeal to what some are calling the Facebook Generation. And so, much to the amusement of my KM friends, I chose Facebook to experiment. What I wanted to see was whether people there were only interested in what everyone had for breakfast or whether something so 'heavy' as the "knowledge phenomenon" -- which is what I call it outside of management circles-- would get any attention.

Some lessons learned.

Since I eventually got kicked off Facebook for what their mindless computers thought was spamming, I'm not going to tell you exactly what I did, but in three months time I accumulated around 1,500 'friends' and drew over 300 to the Smart People magazine Group.

In the forum, some very good conversations were had and I made real friends with people I had not known before and who have become instrumental in developing the Magazine and now the Community.

(Sorry this is so long, but it's necessary)

What I will share with you is what I did right and I don't mean to hold myself out as an authority. It was my one and only experiment and this is what I learned entirely on my own:

1. Building a network is active (not passive) work. Build it and they will NOT come.
2. Direct solicitations will get you in trouble.
3. But indirect solicitation is okay.
4. Correspond with your colleagues in open space. Tell them about Smart People. Leave a URL for their friends to read.
5. Keep doing it. Tell them about a story in the first issue. Give them the URL to the free first issue. Get a discussion going in there group.
6. Tell them there's lots more conversation around Smart People stories in your Group. Give them the URL.
(Don't mention the Smart People Forum yet. Bring them to you first. Then we'll pitch the SP Forum too.
7. Then all the other pyramid stuff -- invite your friends, etc.
8. Keep your Group discussion lively by being live. Ask me to join important discussions. I'll ask some of our writers and experts.

Okay, that's enough. It's only the beginning, but enough to give you the concept. You probably know way more than I do about this stuff. It's really a no brainer. I'm sure collectively you have enough ideas to fill this window all the way to the bottom (that's a subtle joke).

You will, however, be representing more than yourself. You will be representing the Smart People brand. Tia Carr Williams is working on that, but meanwhile I think the Writer's Guidelines take a pretty good stab at it. I've attached them FYI.

Assigning co-moderators.

Now let's talk about SN assignments. As you can see, there are currently eight of you and you have varying degrees of interest. Several of you are thinking Linked-in because that's where we first connected on this subject.

At the outset I was thinking Facebook (already established), Linkedin and Twitter. Boris said Xing was strong in Europe and volunteered for that one. I've chosen Ning to launch the central Smart People Forum, and several of you have suggested local and regional SNs. There is actually a list of 76 SN sites around the world and Lithosphere has rated the top 20:

[http://talk.lithium.com/t5/Inside-Enterprise-Communities/Top-20-Social-Network-Sites/ba-p/96;jsessionid=7D197F6E4C54034887E69165DD772533#A42]

Interestingly, the most talked-about sites these days are not in the top 10 and Twitter isn't in the top 20 at all. Lithosphere claims MySpace to still be the 'giant' with 130,000,000 people, but Wikipedia says Facebook overtook MySpace in April, 2008 based on monthly unique figures.

But Facebook and MySpace may be apples and oranges. Is its popularity in the talk or the music videos and other diversions?

Then there is the intriguing idea of having Smart People Groups in various languages. We have Spanish, Portuguese and French speakers right here in this group. I'm cooling off on the idea, though, as I realize that non-English speakers are not yet in our target market. The magazine and other products to be offered by the Smart People Community will be offered in English only.

Allllll that said, I'm inclined to start with Facebook, Myspace, Linked-in, and Twitter first and then start adding other networks as moderators become available. I really haven't recruited that hard, but we seem to have eight people (including you) who have some interest.

So (I finally get to it), I'd like to do this: Poll the eight of you with this request:

Please list, in order of preference (1, 2 and 3) three SNs you would be willing to co-moderate -- Facebook, Myspace, Linked-in or Twitter.

SN Site Development

With this information in hand, I will quickly work with each of you to set up Smart People Groups in these sites. Here are some details we need to consider:

1. I believe all the Smart People Groups need to be established and owned by me with full authority to manage the site delegated to the co-moderators. There is the concern that the pending trade mark, Smart People magazine, be protected.

That's not an issue of trust. Rather, we learned this the hard way with the Popular Knowledge Group in Facebook which went 'fatherless" after Facebook disabled my account. A Devil Worship Group moved in and took the site over, changing the subject matter to "Forbidden Knowledge". We filed a site abuse claim, but haven't heard a word from the 'FB Team' and meanwhile we have a hundred or so very unhappy customers!

Human behavior is very unpredictable, and so we need to assure order.

2. Though disbursed, all the sites should present the same look with the same content and strategy. After I get the basics set up in each site, Michele will do as much in the way of Smart People graphics as possible.

3. Moderators will likely come and go. Smart People needs to be in a position to fill vacancies asap.

Finally, co-moderators will be prominently displayed on each of the websites as the Smart People Community spokesman. You may be exchanging views with people about the magazine, the Webinars, the talk radio shows, even dialogues that have taken in sister SN Groups or in the Smart People Forum. You and I and participants in all the discussions need to cross-pollenate.

The time you spend in all this is entirely up to you (although too little might bring a gentle note from me). My hope is that you see the value of capitalizing on this cross-network opportunity to build your own presence as well as that of the magazine. Your SP Group could be your sled for developing an even greater personal network, which is part of your personal goals and objectives.

And, I will be listing all the co-moderators in the magazine's masthead, right along with the volunteer Editorial Board and volunteer magazine staff. After all, you will be managing half of the loop between magazine and reader and back again. It will matter.

DON'T FORGET.

When you give me your thoughts, please also give me your first, second and third choices on the four initial Smart People Groups. And thanks a million just for the time you've spent reading all this -- and thinking about it.

Jerry



]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:40:54 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.42398 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.42398
Don't Do It Yourself, but Do It.

I see Boris has started a Wiki space where people can sign up to develop and moderate Smart People Groups on four major Social Networks. I appreciate that, although our little band must be getting big enough so that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. :-) It's okay, Boris. This is the way an empowered and knowledge-driven organization works. It gets a little bumpy sometimes, but things get done! ...

So, please don't set up a Smart People group on your own.



Ok, Jerry, with regard to your concerns I changed the wiki page. Feel free to make any changes!

Link: http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/wiki/index.sp_communities


And another thing. What about Twitter, My Space and others. Are any of you involved in those? Btw, I expect some of you to advise against some ... and I'll listen. But probably the biggest target market for Smart People is the Digital Generation which Don Tapscott describes as being between the ages of 12 and 30.


On the wiki page I mentioned above there is also a space wher you folks can make suggestions where else to establish a Smart People group. For this you may check out the Wikipedia list of social networking websites.

]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Boris Jaeger) Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:45:22 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.41481 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.41481
I see Boris has started a Wiki space where people can sign up to develop and moderate Smart People Groups on four major Social Networks. I appreciate that, although our little band must be getting big enough so that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. :-) It's okay, Boris. This is the way an empowered and knowledge-driven organization works. It gets a little bumpy sometimes, but things get done!

Actually, I would rather not have people independently setting up Smart People Groups in various social networks. For a couple of big reasons.

1. Consistency for one. We'd like Smart People spaces to look alike wherever they exist. So, I would rather collaborate with Michele on setting up the various SN Groups for those who will then become moderators.

2. Smart People is a trademark (pending). We need to keep control of the Smart People brand. All the Smart People social network groups should be owned by Smart People, not the moderators. Of course that's for brand control, but it also is to assure that as moderators come and go the website is covered.
We've had a serious incident with the old Popular Knowledge Group which was the predecessor of Smart People. When my account with Facebook was disabled, Popular Knowledge went unattended and some Devil Worship group took it over! Needless to say, those who had previously joined Popular Knowledge aren't happy customers. And I don't think Boris has been able to solve the problem yet because the Facebook 'Team' is pretty inaccessible.

So, please don't set up a Smart People group on your own.

But onward.

I have five strong candidates for Social Network moderators, the majority of them wanting to moderate a Linked-In Group. That's because I solicited moderators on Linked-in by selectively inviting key friends of mine and the result was multiple. That's a good problem.

This week my latest goal is to set up the Smart People Network of Networks to work in collaboration with the Smart People Forum which also will be set up this week.

I see the SP Groups on the various SNs plus the SP Forum as a cluster of discussion Groups in overlapping circles with the Smart People Forum in the center. Boris is going to work his tech magic to link all these together so that Group posts can be shared with the Forum and with each other.

I will moderate the central Smart People Forum on Ning. Boris has already volunteered to start and moderate an SP Group on Xing, which he says is strong in Europe. This week I will be corresponding with the entire volunteer group of five about spreading their energies across the other major networks as well as local networks such as one in France. I like the idea of having interactive groups out there corresponding in various languages and with moderators who can translate particularly important posts into English.

Boris has a very good idea about having more than one moderator in each of the major networks. That way two can share the load and cover for each other when they are out of pocket.

The reason I'm keen on getting this done quickly is that we have three pages (2 inside covers and the back page) available in the first issue of SP for 'house ads'. I want one of those ads to feature the Smart People Forum and SN Group Network.

So please, please, please. If your are interested in being the moderator or one of the moderators for the external Groups or with me in the internal Smart People Forum, please let me know immediately. As I'm fond of saying these days, the Big Bang is over, gases are clearing, galaxies are forming and we're beginning to think we know where earth is.

Oh, one other thing. What's in it for you? Moderators can use the Smart People groups to increase their visibility and images on the Internet and greatly expand their own personal networks. They will also be listed on the masthead of the magazine along with the Editorial Board and magazine staff, including contact info.

And another thing. What about Twitter, My Space and others. Are any of you involved in those? Btw, I expect some of you to advise against some ... and I'll listen. But probably the biggest target market for Smart People is the Digital Generation which Don Tapscott describes as being between the ages of 12 and 30.

The time is right when the iron's hot.

Jerry


]]> no-reply@mixxt.net (Jerry Ash) Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:10:03 +0100 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.41391 http://smart-people.mixxt.com/networks/forum/loadpost.41391