Headfirst and with nothing more than smash and grab intentions of getting a cheap sale from a community is dangerous. If you don’t want to build your own community and you want to join an existing group, think about how you conduct yourself. Be open, be helpful and be patient to work your way into the environment of a complex community structure.
You wouldn’t gate-crash a party or turn up uninvited with not so much as a bottle of wine; same applies to online pockets of interest and conversation. Bring something of value and work with those around you to become part of the furniture over time.
Community is a delicate thing, I am trying hard not to extend the metaphors any further than I already have done but I think it is important to blend into the background of any community within which you are present. It is often said in sporting terms that the best Referees or Umpires are the ones you don’t have anything to say about at the end of a game. If things are ticking along nicely, it makes your job easier, the community better and this sporting reference accurate.
Adaptability within communities is a deft skill too. Community is not a one-size fits all entity. Whether your community is hosted on your website or an existing, well-established group on LinkedIn, you need to speak the right language at the right time.
