This is part II of a series called “Realities of Association Politics & PR written by Jason Baker;
But fortunately, there are independents!
Independent discussion boards are generally run by people with a passion for a subject matter. Almost all of them see a specific shortfall in communication and networking opportunities and try to provide just that to the general target audience. While some discussion board owners are financially independent and secure, many subsidize their bottom line by selling privileged memberships and advertising, merchandise and some even actual products, or by accepting and soliciting support from members and industry partners. In many cases, accepting sponsorship from our industry brings “association – like” conditions in terms of what can and can’t be discussed. While the “tone” of many of these individual forums vary greatly, all of them attract members who are not afraid to “speak their mind”, sometimes in amazingly baffling manner, including name calling and blind accusations. Its easy to lose track of the tone and general demeanor of ones membership and sometimes this becomes apparent when you feel the need to look for pitchfork hunters and cavemen in your own backyard, after reading some of the posts on display on some discussion boards. For the respective owner & administrator the question ultimately becomes: WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP? You have promised your members to be unbiased, independent and supporting of their needs and wants to share their thoughts, yet, you are visible to the public and your sponsors do not appreciate being critiqued publicly. Neither do associations! A natural conflict of interest ensues, and sadly, most of the time the mighty $$’s wins. This can be prevented by staying small, charging fees for adverts which can be refunded without taking out a loan and by clearly telling your sponsors, right off the bat, that you will continue to own your site while setting it’s general policy and direction. By staying small and humble as well as personal, you create an environment which encourages exchange while at the same time allowing smaller industry members to advertise through your site. My personal concept on seaplaneforum.com is 100% loyalty and trust based. My members retain the right to discuss, critique or acknowledge even our sponsor companies as long as their manner of doing so is:
- Factual & truthful…
- Honest but free of name-calling, derogatory remarks or discrimination…
- Respectful & courteous in style; and last but not least…
- Providing at least one idea or recommendation that can be used by the critiqued party to change course…
Sounds very simple, doesn’t it? I, for one, keep my advertising rates low enough so that I can issue refunds, in case my discussion board causes offense. I depend on my members and supporters to make the effort to communicate in such a way that I don’t have to step in and remind them of these four basic pillars which carry my small endeavor. I depend on my members and supporters ability to see and understand that creating a community and making a difference requires active participation and good will and sometimes better judgement. Grassroots things thrive by those three parameters. Each one of them has an unspoken/ unwritten promise from me that I will value and consider my own members critique and remain attentive to their requests, wants and needs. They know that I will do so independently from their “status” within the community.
To be continued…
