People like to talk with each other – share experiences, learn new things, find other enlightened individuals. Whether political, cultural, musical, ethnic, or special interest – there are many types of communities made up of people who feel a bond with one other.
So why do people use Gather? That is a frequently asked question. Think of Gather as both a large broad community, as well as hundreds of small and mid-sized focused communities. The groups that have formed on Gather since we launched the platform four weeks ago have come from some group owners that we actively engaged. But there are many more groups that have been started by Gather members on their own, on topics that range from Sports and Politics to Music and Pets. These communities have grown on their own, tapping into the wide range of unique interest that make up the larger Gather community. What is the motivation behind the creation of these groups?
A desire to belong. What does someone from the middle of the country do when they have to leave their writing group and book club because of a company transfer? They want to connect to others back home and start connecting with new people with similar interests in their new town. Gather gives readers, writers, and hobbyists a way to stay in touch and to meet new people, and learn about their interests based on what they write or photograph, not just proximity or PTA meetings. Writers on Gather have found a great community of fellow writers, and political activists have discovered addictive communities of their own. These communities provide support for their members, stimulate debate, and provide camaraderie. We think Animal Crackers (animalcrackers.gather.com) is great because it both informs and entertains, bringing pet lovers together.
Get advice or support. Another reason for community is to get help. Help on computers, advice on writing style, and guidance on where to go on your next vacation. People also look to groups when they are suffering from an illness or looking to get over a broken heart. Then, of course, there is always the need to decide what to make for that romantic dinner or family reunion picnic. Both The Novelist Lounge (novelistlounge.gather.com) and Photo Forum (photo.gather.com) offer ways to find other talented people to critique your work.
Learn about new things and expand the scope of your world. Have you started writing your "great American" novel? Do you want to explore the making of a documentary or learn about knitting? Ready to become a vegetarian? There are groups on Gather that deal with all of these issues and more. The Sustainability Group (sustainablitity.gather.com) is building a resource for people to learn more about their environment. Marketplace and Grist Magazine are helping to support this group.
Get recognized as a leader. Looking for validation and support for your accomplishments is a big factor in being part of a community. If you are a leader, there are a lot of people out there for you to motivate and encourage to join in. If you are a joiner, impart your knowledge to your group. Look at established groups like Downtown Women's Club (dwc.gather.com) and how they are corralling women and encouraging them to network.
Building these communities is not a matter of just setting up the group. Think of a theme, post an article, and invite your friends on or off Gather to join. The best way to grow your community is to encourage all of the members to participate. Take your favorite activity and take your turn at building a group.
David Cooperstein is Editor in Chief at Gather. His past "The Editor's Desktop" columns can be found at editors.gather.com, a group for people who want to connect around the content on Gather.
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Comments: 7
Actually, no it isn't. It's exclusionary.
No need to worry when your time in Floyd's chair is up, because you'll be back to his shop sooner or later, and when you come back Floyd's chair will be waiting for you.
I'm enjoying the experience more as I become more versed in using Gather. I, and I'm sure many others, would find it interesting to know how many Gather members there are. And not living in the USA, I'd find it interesting to know how many other members are not in the USA, and some idea of where they live.
Magi