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March 06, 2008

Become a SWOMie... new social network started by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba

Helloswomi Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba, authors of Creating Customer Evangelists and Citizen Marketers, have just started a new social network, The Society of Word of Mouth (SWOM) and membership is open to anyone who wants to join apparently.

Here's the purpose statement:

SWOM members understand that real word of mouth doesn't come from a viral video. It comes from a grassroots-driven community that inspires passion and customer evangelism.

SWOM's purpose, then, is two-fold: to be a social network for the true believers of word of mouth, and to be an educational resource for making word of mouth fundamental to the DNA of any organization. We'll soon introduce webinars, educational materials and training opportunities. Plus, we'll have in-person events. Fun events!

I was invited by my dear friend Zane Safrit, who epitomizes the highest of WOM ideals. In turn, I invited Toby Bloomberg, also a dear friend. She, too, is a shining example of how conversational media marketing and word of mouth is supposed to work.

Ben asked the question, "What would make your membership in SWOM invaluable?" Here's how I answered:

I belong to a number of social networks, most of which are a waste of time more or less. What would make this group worthwhile is a willingness on the part of each member to invest time and energy in sharing thoughts, opinion and, better yet, expertise, all with the goal of bettering the community. If that doesn't happen, SWOM will become just another socnet discarded in the social media trash bin.

There's an old adage: When the tide comes in, all the ships rise. If each of us will bring something to the table , some lesson forged from the crucible of our own experience, we will all be better for it.

I have to be honest (darn, there's that authenticity and transparency thing again) and say that one of the reasons I joined was that I've never been this close to Ben and Jackie. It's kind of a gas being a "charter" member in such an astute community. (Yea, I get off on stuff like that.)

If genuine conversation about how to create a community of customer evangelists interests you, then allow me to invite you to join.

PS: Ben and Jackie created SWOM using Ning's awesome platform.   

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Comments

Well WOM is always the best form of advertising. I'll check out your links.

Paul - thanks for the invite and your kind words. I'm delighted to be part of any group where you hang your hat and of course Ben and Jackie are pretty cool too.

@Missy - Glad you decided to join. I think SWOM real potential for growth. Heck, I'm hopeful it could become the Active Rain for Word of Mouth devotees.

@Toby - You know that anywhere I go I want you to be there and vice-versa. We're permanently joined at the hip!