Many of us are finding knowledge resources and networking opportunities in new places. My top professional development resource is now Twitter. It used to be my Google Reader but now my Twitter friends act as a filter (or curator) by sharing the best blog posts they’ve read about social media, association management and other topics that interest me.
I’ve first met more social media and association friends via blogs and Twitter than I have in real life. When I finally met some of them face-to-face it was more like a reunion than a first meeting, and the real life encounter definitely strengthened our relationship. However, there are many whom I’m still eager to meet in person and that desire drives many of my decisions about the events I choose to attend, both locally and nationally.
More and more associations are wisely nurturing online communities using social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The word ‘nurturing’ is key as a good community doesn’t just develop without care and feeding. Let’s jump ahead and imagine that you have developed an online community by providing valuable and interesting content (both yours and member-generated) and a platform for conversation and connecting. Now what?
Why not organize, or support and encourage your members to organize, face-to-face meet-ups for those who participate (or lurk) in your online communities? Have a Facebook after-hours, or a tweet-up (meeting of Twitter followers) or a LinkedIn meet-up. Give your members a way to strengthen those online relationships outside of your regularly scheduled programming.
Locally, Link Appleton and Link Greater Green Bay are doing a great job of this on LinkedIn. Check them out…
Bright, shiny objects! 
What do you think?