There is value in public communication!

Here are some tips to help everyone extend their network, gain merit and improve everyone's experience with Digaria over time.

Bookmark Digaria and visit regularly, Woody Allen once said "half of life is just showing up" and in the case of online community, he's right! Show up and participate, it's easy!

First suggestion, Welcome New Members with a quick profile comment.

You'll find a list of the latest ten members to join the site on the welcome page each time you enter the community.

Profile comments are ice-breaker opportunities as well as a way to create content for others to read and learn from. Profile comments are the best way to introduce new users to blogworking, build reading content and add a positive, welcoming personality to the site.

Site Owners and Moderators can take the lead, which will generate a "Welcome Wagon" of site enthusiasts who will carry this practice forward. This community atmosphere and shared ownership results in growing numbers of members defending the site values and helping govern and promote it in a viral fashion.

Suggestions:

• Encourage Public Communication    Comment on articles you like, let the author know what your thoughts are to encourage the fact that conversation is helpful to all members.

• Upload your photo    Use a photo, any photo. Research shows that a profile photo is like a mind-game - people actually remember you more, your comments and insights and your personality. A photo indicates you are willing to participate and want to be a part of the community.

• Ask a question    People are encouraged to respond to a question, break the ice and start a conversation rather than simply making a statement.

• Respond Publicly To Private Messages    Respond with a profile comment when you are sent a private message. Learning to form responses as public knowledge let's other's learn from answers and promotes public conversation of value to all members over time!

• Note Something Personal    Always note something on their profile or about the individual, their name, common place of geography, their lack of a profile even - anything! making a personal connection is key to making people feel welcomed.

• Be Unique!    Don't simply put a standard or canned greeting into a comment field, take a moment to craft a quick, but unique question for each individual, remember a comment is persistent and will create reading content that provides amusement, personality and add valuable context for all members to learn from again and again.

Once you have had a quick back and forth with someone, try making a personal connection with them!

Remember, one value of the community is now, and today, but the greater value in the community is public communication that persists over time.

Future members, graduates and volunteers will learn from what we do today!

Most of all, just have fun and participate, as Woody Allen once said "half of life is just showing up" ! Bookmark Digaria and visit regularly, comment and participate and you'll be rewarded with the value of long lasting connections.