Contents
Acknowledgments xvii
Foreword xxi
Introduction: Is This Book for You? 1
How This Book Is Organized 2
Communities, Forums, and Boards 4
Book Website 4
After You’ve Read the Book 5
Chapter 1. Laying the Groundwork 7
Fundamental Decisions 7
What Will Your Community Cover? 7
Whom Do You Want to Attract? 8
What Will the Benefits of Your Community Be? 9
How Will You Support the Community Financially? 9
What Is Your Situation? 10
Create a Brand-New Stand-Alone Community 10
Launch a Brand-New Community and Content Site at the Same Time 10
Launch a Brand-New Community as an Addition to an Existing Content Site 12
Purchase or Take Over an Existing Community 13
What Skills and Characteristics Do You Need to Have? 14
Conclusion 16
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