I'm at Forum One's second annual Online Community Business Forum
this Monday and Tuesday. Our Bill Johnston and Jim Cashel have put together a great selection of smart speakers and attendees, an invitation-only gathering of about 70 people from community software businesses, media properties, investors, businesses using online community for customer service or building market presence, and others. I've heard more than a few people say this is one of the best conferences they have been to in a long time, because of the caliber of the people and the level of discussion about online community strategy and business models. And spending a few days enjoying Santa Fe (and eating various green chili dishes!), is a treat.
Photo by jwoodphoto.

A few impressions from Monday, day 1:

Twitter: I've been slow to understand the use and value of Twitter (see Wikipedia explanation of this "social media and microblogging service".) So it was illuminating to hear Shara Karasic (http://twitter.com/sharakarasic) of Work.com talk over dinner about how she has used Twitter to build a following of people interested in her work and ideas, and which she then uses to disseminate "breaking" news of a new event, report, product or offering. A light bulb went off in my thick head that, among other things, Twitter is "just" another effective dissemination channel to quickly get out news. Read more of Shana's thinking about twittering for business on work.com.

[Event live blogging versus twittering? Great blog reflections by Thomas Kriese of Omidyar about "Better Way to Broadcast Live"]

Virtual worlds? I am just starting to understand virtual worlds... but interesting discussion about the worth of virtual worlds and virtual goods - ie a virtual single stem rose - $10 on "HotorNot" web site. My first thought was who/how/why, but then - people buy lots of things as gifts for people which may have little value because of the intention effect (my theory)!

But then I found myself thinking - someone must be using virtual goods for donations, for philanthropy (ie rather than a virtual rose for $10, why not $10 to AWF.org and a virtual elephant trumpet?) I found the answer quickly - Change the Present does this:

The Changing the Present app allows users to give "meaningful gifts" that contribute $1 each to a progressive cause. The idea could resonate with Facebook's users for a number of reasons:

* Many of Facebook's users are young, and $1 is a small enough amount that it seems like an affordable way to give to charity. Changing the Present frames its offers in such a way that $1 also seems like it can go a long way.
* It incentivizes giving by allowing users to interact on a personal level with friends and effect positive social change with and for their friends. Giving gifts is fun (Facebook's $1 gifts remain popular even in the face of so much free competition), so it is smart to tap into that trend.
* It publicizes giving. It will be harder for people to receive a gift without returning the sentiment when it is tied to a worthy progressive cause, and the $1 price tag means nearly all of Facebook's users can afford an in kind response.

More impressions from day 2 to follow....

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