Update: The SOCM 2018 survey is now closed, and the report is available for download.
This year, our research working group had some big questions on their minds as we developed The State of Community Management 2018 survey, including:
- Community programs seem to be getting more influence in their organizations – how can I replicate that in mine?
- How can I prove that more investment and resources would lead to better results?
- I have a business case but how can I get the right people to pay attention?
- I love my community management job, but what’s next?
It’s time: the SOCM survey is open!
The great news? We no longer need to define what community management is. While everyone may not understand it yet, the past eight years of SOCM research provides plenty of data to describe and justify the discipline. What’s more interesting now is how much visibility, support, and influence communities have.
That’s huge progress in a few short years and it means we’ve restructured our SOCM research to reflect those needs – and in the process simplified the survey, making it easier and faster to take. (Hooray!)
This year, we are exploring three key themes:
- Communities Get Down to Business
- Communities as Change Agents
- Community Roles Evolve
We think there is more potential than ever for community approaches – and more attention – but also some significant challenges as the vendor environment evolves and the scope of community programs increase. This year we are targeting our research to explore those opportunities and challenges – but we need your help to do so!
So what? What’s in it for you?
Well, you could participate because it helps the entire industry mature…but let’s be honest, you have a lot of other things to do today. You should participate in the SOCM 2018 research because it provides insightful prompts to help you reflect on your priorities, how you spend your time, and what really matters to your community program. That reflection helps you improve your work, your insights, and your value. THAT is ROI you can take to the bank.
It takes 25 minutes to make a difference.
This years’ survey is easier and quicker to take – with less data to collect. And, to thank you for your for your time, we want to buy you a coffee – one of those fancy ones, even – with a $5 Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. Or, you can also donate your $5 to No Kid Hungry and make a difference in another way. When the survey is complete we’ll also pick one participant to with an AMEX gift card worth $1 for every completed survey we receive! Not bad for a few minutes work.
We take your privacy, and your data, seriously.
There’s a lot of important data in this survey, that’s why each year we reiterate our pledge. We will not sell, use or otherwise share your individual survey response with anyone. Period. We won’t report on groups that are too small to guarantee anonymity. The only time you’ll hear from us is if there is a question about your data, or to let you know the research report is available. Our business is built on the strength of and trust in our research.
