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Stephen Spector

Austin, TX

Cloud Evangelist, Dell

Information Technology

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Jenn Pedde Social Fresh is looking for 500 Community Managers to take a survey about what the role is like: http://thecommunitymanager.com/the-2012-community-manager-survey-is-here (Anonymous and should only take a minute or two) -- Thanks!

19 weeks ago from Community Managers

Stephen Spector: Took the survey and tweeted it out via @SpectorAtDell. Good Luck
19 weeks ago

Brad Fults If anyone is hiring in Austin, I have a friend who's looking. A rare opportunity for great talent.

25 weeks ago from Austin Texas

Stephen Spector: Just about every tech company is hiring. What's the skill set?
25 weeks ago

Brad Fults: iOS Developer. Also have another friend looking for office management/company operations type work.
25 weeks ago

Stephen Spector I attended the Community Manager Leadership Summit this past weekend and wanted to share the notes from all the discussions: check out http://communityleadershipsummit.wikia.com/wiki/Community_Leadership_Sum.... Lots of great content from the sessions all capture in EtherPads for you to read over.

43 weeks ago from Community Managers

Mehul Kar What are different ways of generating revenue from a community that you have organized? Selling branded merchandise is the only one that I can think of. Any other strategies?

45 weeks ago from Community Managers

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Edward Antrobus: Well, how does Brazen keep the lights on? Frankly, I don't have a clue. And as long as they aren't trying to go for the money that I don't ...MoreWell, how does Brazen keep the lights on? Frankly, I don't have a clue. And as long as they aren't trying to go for the money that I don't actually have, I really don't care.
43 weeks ago

JRandom42: Advertising? Dues? Subscriptions? I don't know. Most of the professional community building I've seen requires time and effort, not capital. But ...MoreAdvertising? Dues? Subscriptions? I don't know. Most of the professional community building I've seen requires time and effort, not capital. But then, I'm no expert on community building either. All I know is that if I'm a member of a community of like minded professionals in the same field, I'd be very offended and insulted if the community leader started trying to sell and market stuff for me, when I was there for the connections, networking and mutual professional support.
43 weeks ago

Stephen Spector I have used Fiverr several times for various projects but was wondering if anyone has tried to use them for something a bit more creative; such as having a person in another country wear a community shirt and take a picture at a famous location? That seems a bit too easy so I thought I would check on some ideas from this group. The site is http://www.fiverr.com

46 weeks ago from Community Managers

Jennifer Koren To anyone that works from home? Are you given guidelines by your employer on what they expect from you when you work from home? I'm looking to put together policies and procedures for a company that has a remote customer service and content staff and looking for examples of what other companies do. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

96 weeks ago from Consultants R US, Ask Penelope Trunk!, Global Careers and Business, Community Managers and Inspiring Leadership 3 more

Sadya Siddiqui recommended this

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Melissa Breau: They expect us to use our own computer/internet. not a big deal since its only 1x a week. Our associate publisher works remotely from NC tho, and ...MoreThey expect us to use our own computer/internet. not a big deal since its only 1x a week. Our associate publisher works remotely from NC tho, and I'd imagine they pay her internet / phone / fax. Though I think if I submitted an expense report no one would give me any issues.
96 weeks ago

Smith+Fritzy: Count on there being internet and power outages. For instance, when I moved into my new place, the city decided to start tearing up our road and ...MoreCount on there being internet and power outages. For instance, when I moved into my new place, the city decided to start tearing up our road and moving existing lines. I also live in the lightning capital of the world and have frequent visits by hurricanes. Things happen. My thought is supplying a back-up system for hourly distance workers wouldn't be very cost effective. I do think offering a simple incentive to the employees that if they need to be on call if needed, and make sure they know it's not going to be a frequent thing.
96 weeks ago

Stephen Spector I have been reading various Community Manager blogs over the past few years and have finally decided that the blogs are not addressing the issues that I think about and are usually a bit too high level. Thus, I have just started a new blog at http://runacommunity.com/. So far, I have a whopping two posts but plan to post about 3 times a week with my thoughts on community management. Feel free to stop by my blog and add your thoughts.

47 weeks ago from Community Managers

Rebecca Thorman recommended this

Stephen Spector For those of you in Portland or willing to travel. Jono Bacon's Community Leadership Summit is July 23-24 in Portland, OR. (http://www.communityleadershipsummit.com/). Let me know if you will be there as it will be fun to meetup with more community managers.

47 weeks ago from Community Managers

Erin Lariviere Where do you draw the line between feedback / criticism / venting and downright rudeness or community abuse? I'm a big believer in letting people vent... to a certain extent. People get frustrated and they want to be heard. I think that's ok and it should be allowed. But there are times when it crosses a line. I'm not talking trolls. I mean when there's legitimate feedback, but the delivery goes to far. How do you handle this? Where do you draw the line?

63 weeks ago from Community Managers

Clara Kuo and Kristina E. Smith recommended this

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Tyna Chua: One thing we have seen in our community is that the community members themselves give these folks the feedback about things like inappropriate ...MoreOne thing we have seen in our community is that the community members themselves give these folks the feedback about things like inappropriate language, so we don't have to step in....what @Stephen mentioned also applies to us--we have guidelines that the community abides by...
49 weeks ago

Noel Rozny: Great question! I think venting really depends on who is talking to who. I try to vent about anything work-related to someone not in the office, ...MoreGreat question! I think venting really depends on who is talking to who. I try to vent about anything work-related to someone not in the office, because you never know when something you say could come back to you.
49 weeks ago

Erin Lariviere Do you host webinars for customers? If so, what service do you use to host them? So far, I've checked out GoToWebinar and WebEx. Do you have experience using either of these from a presenter's standpoint? Or another service you'd recommend?

70 weeks ago from Internet Marketers, New Media Marketing, Community Managers and Web 2.0 2 more

Tonyta recommended this

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Tony Deblauwe: GotoWebinar or GotoMeeting are easy. Other ones like Yugma or Fuze have problems. Only drawback is playback of video in the webinar. Often when ...MoreGotoWebinar or GotoMeeting are easy. Other ones like Yugma or Fuze have problems. Only drawback is playback of video in the webinar. Often when you project a YouTube video for example, the audience does not hear anything and sees a black-out image.
70 weeks ago

Ryan Koechel: I personally like webex better solely because it has the feature of calling your phone to get you on the call versus having to call into ...MoreI personally like webex better solely because it has the feature of calling your phone to get you on the call versus having to call into gotomeeting, also call quality of gotomeeting is not that good if some people are on softphones.
69 weeks ago

Stephen Spector State of Community Survey Results Out - http://www.slideshare.net/rhappe/the-2011-state-of-community-management ; worth reading over

61 weeks ago from Community Managers

Stephen Spector Saw an interesting post today from the FeverBee folks to create an online 12 week course on Community Management. The link to register is http://pillarsummit.com/learn-more/. The Professional Online Community Management Course On April 3rd, we’re launching a comprehensive course in Professional Online Community Management. This course covers the key skills your employees need to know to develop a successful community for your organization.

63 weeks ago from Community Managers

Stephen Spector Mashable put this post up today - What to look for when hiring a community manager, http://mashable.com/2011/01/25/hiring-community-manager/ . Interested in your thoughts on what they wrote.

69 weeks ago from Community Managers

Jenna Langer: Interesting article, thanks for sharing. I think they hit a number of key points, but that part that get's me is they keep saying it's a "new ...MoreInteresting article, thanks for sharing. I think they hit a number of key points, but that part that get's me is they keep saying it's a "new skill set." The role of community manager has been around since the beginning of the Internet, but now we have more channels where we support the conversations. It's not really a new skill set, the role is just more apparent now in larger companies. They have always had someone playing the part, but now the role is finally becoming more mainstream.
69 weeks ago

Stephen Spector I currently monitor RSS feeds in my Google Reader, Twitter via HootSuite, LinkedIn Groups and Facebook groups with separate tabs on my browser and spend my day flipping among them. Does anyone have a good tool they use to aggregate all these separate social networking groups into one tool?

71 weeks ago from Community Managers

Kade Dworkin: If you're using a mac the closest I've seen anyone aggregate the services you mentioned is by using Socialite. MoreIf you're using a mac the closest I've seen anyone aggregate the services you mentioned is by using Socialite. http://www.apparentsoft.com/socialite I've yet to see a tool that actively brings in LinkedIn Groups' activity.
71 weeks ago

Rebecca Thorman: You can bring in your Facebook groups into Hootsuite. Dont know what allows LinkedIn. OR Brazen for that matter!
71 weeks ago

Stephen Spector Anyone out there have a community where a sub-set of members is considered off-limits? Almost as if there are general members and then "special" members who get a different treatment. Curious about your thoughts on this? [NOTE - I am not in favor of this]

78 weeks ago from Community Managers

Ryan Paugh: Like community leaders? I'm a big proponent of having community leaders and rewarding active members by giving them something special. Is that ...MoreLike community leaders? I'm a big proponent of having community leaders and rewarding active members by giving them something special. Is that what you're talking about?
76 weeks ago

Chris Gaudreau: what about membership sites that offer a free section for non-paying members.
71 weeks ago

Website Designer How can Facebook have 500 Million Free Users and who owns and pays for their web hosting ? Also do they have special WEB SERVER technology to contain all that CONTENT ?

72 weeks ago from Community Managers

Stephen Spector: They make revenue by selling advertisements on their site. Basically they are a giant personalized newspaper offering users a place to go and ...MoreThey make revenue by selling advertisements on their site. Basically they are a giant personalized newspaper offering users a place to go and communicate instead of simply offering news. As for their infrastructure, they are massive and have essentially the most complicated web application ever developed.
72 weeks ago

Matt White: Also a massive server building, or a few, which hosts all their content. They host themselves I believe from these huge hubs located in various ...MoreAlso a massive server building, or a few, which hosts all their content. They host themselves I believe from these huge hubs located in various places around the US and possibly the world.
72 weeks ago

Stephen Spector Hope everyone has a nice holiday season and safe New Year's eve. As for our communities, they never do stop so my wife is already not in agreement with my bringing my work laptop over the holiday break. Anyone else have this problem?

74 weeks ago from Community Managers

Ryan Paugh: My girlfriend and I get into similar disagreements over the holidays. All of her clients shut down over the Holidays so it's difficult for her to ...MoreMy girlfriend and I get into similar disagreements over the holidays. All of her clients shut down over the Holidays so it's difficult for her to understand why I'm constantly checking it. This Christmas I'm determined to create a lot of content ahead of time so I'm not letting my family/friend time get overrun by work. It's always difficult, but I think a little bit of forward thinking can go a long way.

Happy Holidays to all my Community Manager friends. Go spend some time with your important people :)
74 weeks ago

Ryan Paugh What's your dream Community Manager gig? Jenn Pedde and I were just discussing on Facebook. Mine would be the Community Manager for a rock band. Hers would be a sports team. What about you?

82 weeks ago from Community Managers

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Andrew Krzmarzick: I'm in it! At GovLoop.com! :)
82 weeks ago

Lea Marino: I have my own Mac and Cheese oriented Twitter, @MacCheesy, so I would love to be the Cmgr for Kraft or S'Mac (a mac and cheese rest. in NYC)
79 weeks ago

Jenn Pedde Have you ever worked extremely hard on something (a blog post, a newsletter, PR campaign, another project) for work only to have the finished product completely scrapped? How have you dealt with it?

80 weeks ago from myFootpath, Global Careers and Business, Community Managers, Career Rocketeer and Brazen Careerists on Twitter 3 more

Becky Benishek, Robin Mills and Michael Abehsera recommended this

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JRandom42: Scott, and it's been going on for years, as Ed Yourdon has chronicled.

MoreScott, and it's been going on for years, as Ed Yourdon has chronicled.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-March-2nd-Edward-Yourdon/dp/013143635X/ref=n...

I've still got the 1st edition on my bookshelf.
80 weeks ago

Anthony Contoleon: Yes, and usually by walking away from the computer for a few minutes and/or going to the gym and training rather hard whilst listening to loud ...MoreYes, and usually by walking away from the computer for a few minutes and/or going to the gym and training rather hard whilst listening to loud heavy metal.
80 weeks ago

Elysa Rice are there any particular apps (iphone/droid/ipad) that you use frequently as a Community Manager? mine are: hootsuite, flipboard (ipad), twittelator pro, gist, yammer, and bump

83 weeks ago from Community Managers

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Julie Bort: I manage multiple Twitter accounts, and used TweetDeck for a long time, but its built on Adobe Air and has been flakey for months. Some days, it ...MoreI manage multiple Twitter accounts, and used TweetDeck for a long time, but its built on Adobe Air and has been flakey for months. Some days, it won't log into my accounts. Everyone's raving about Hootsuite -- it's nice to schedule Tweets, but can you run four Twitter accounts with it? ... My latest fav tool is VSO Image Resizer, Google Reader for RSS feeds, we used Yammer for a while, but it was only a fad around here.
83 weeks ago

Elysa Rice: Julie - Hootsuite does work with mutliple accounts. I use Tweetdeck on my laptop but the iPad version seems to crash a lot.
82 weeks ago

Jeremy Hicks I finally launched a blog, but I'm having a hard time figuring out which direction to go as far as beneficial content, design, and community building. I'm new in the world of social media after a round-about arrival and would like to help others trying to break in as well. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated! www.jmatthicks.com. Thanks, and I can't wait to get meet, learn, and grow with everyone here!

85 weeks ago from Community Managers

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Jeremy Hicks: @Elysa absolutely...there's no better source for content than personal experience and thoughts! Thanks a lot!

@Mehul That's what I did today. I ...More@Elysa absolutely...there's no better source for content than personal experience and thoughts! Thanks a lot!

@Mehul That's what I did today. I just though, and blogged. It felt naturally and quite honestly, it feels BETTER when is spontaneous as opposed to planned!

@Bryon Thanks for the input, that's the path I'm taking!

@Danielle Thanks a lot! The design wasn't my idea...I just browsed Wordpress themes and found this one! And GREAT idea: I'll add those today!

Thanks to everyone for your input...it's been inspiring, encouraging, and not to mention FUN learning from you all! Goodluck with all future endeavors!
84 weeks ago

Danielle Albright: Awww, I love the optimistic spirit of your comments! :)
84 weeks ago

Stephen Spector Interesting Idea - http://www.feverbee.com/2009/10/welcomepack.html ; I have been thinking about creating a new member welcome pack. Anyone else do something like this?

84 weeks ago from Community Managers

Jenna Langer: We aren't doing it yet, but I definitely want to send out an e-mail when people first join. We have so many awesome features that it makes sense ...MoreWe aren't doing it yet, but I definitely want to send out an e-mail when people first join. We have so many awesome features that it makes sense to let the users know what they can take advantage of. I like the idea of including past newsletters too so they can learn more about the community as a whole, not just the product.
84 weeks ago

Elysa Rice: we do send out an email when people first join but it doesn't include previous information. the nature of our network is ever changing so I'm not ...Morewe do send out an email when people first join but it doesn't include previous information. the nature of our network is ever changing so I'm not sure that some of these would work. for those of you who do have previous newsletters why not link to them online for an ongoing archive?
84 weeks ago

Mazarine If I'm looking to be a Community Manager in Austin, TX, where would you suggest I network?

84 weeks ago from Community Managers

Stephen Spector: Hmm, I always see this position as being geographically independent. I would search for community manager positions that interest you and ignore ...MoreHmm, I always see this position as being geographically independent. I would search for community manager positions that interest you and ignore the location. You will either find companies in Austin hiring our find companies where you can work remotely. Another place to look is on Austin Texas group in Brazeen. Finally, LinkedIn is my current favorite place to look for jobs as people hiring look in there all the time.
84 weeks ago

Maggie McGary I'm curious--is it just me or are other community managers noticing a huge increase in the number of community manager roles opening up? If you've recently accepted a new position did you go looking for it or were you recruited by a headhunter or someone at the company?

85 weeks ago from Community Managers

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Elysa Rice: I'm new as a Community Manager by title but I did a lot of the same roles in my previous position. I was most certainly recruited.
85 weeks ago

Rebecca Thorman: I read recently somewhere that social media positions are one of the few areas that haven't been affected by the recession... so good for all of us!
84 weeks ago

Stephen Spector Back, did you miss me? Sorry for not posting in such a long time but I have spent the past few weeks leaving my old community manager job in Florida for a new one in Austin, TX. I have finished the move and my car finally arrived this morning. Will be on the site more often again with posts I find and questions to ask...

85 weeks ago from Community Managers