The Community Roundtable

Empowering global community leaders with research-backed resources, training, and tools.

TheCR Holiday Gift Guide 2016: Gifts for Community Managers

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It’s that time of the year again! The snow is falling (in Boston, at least!), pumpkin spice is everywhere and holiday music has taken over the radio. We’re continuing our December tradition of providing a short gift guide of toys and treasures that the community manager in your life might appreciate. Of course – the greatest gift of all is just a simple thank you, but I wouldn’t turn down some gummy bears to go along with it!

gifts for community managers

  1. Unicorn Tape Dispenser – Sure to fancy up any community manager’s desk, this unicorn tape dispenser is equal parts form and function! 

  2. The 2017 Volt Planner – Even though most of us live online these days, I’m still drawn to writing important things down. The Volt Planner is one part tactical planning space, and one part aspiration goal setting.

  3. Five Pounds of Haribo Gummy Bears – The gold standard of gummy bears. The resealable bag makes you feel like you can save some for later (no judgement if you don’t, though…)
  4. Cards for Community – Both a fun conversation piece and an actionable tool for community engagement. It’s safe for work, we promise.
  5. Fruit! – After eating all those gummy bears, a nice fresh orange or pear will be a welcome relief.
  6. Community Manager Swag – Nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve (or your t-shirt!)
  7. Wireless Earbuds – Between phone calls, Spotify and podcasts,  these will help your favorite community manager listen in style – no strings attached!

Have a favorite gift we missed? Let us know and we’ll update our list!

2015 Community Manager Gift Guide

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By Shannon Abram, Relationship Manager at The Community Roundtable

Every year we like to share some ideas for the best gifts for the community professionals in your life. After all – what better time to some your resident community expert that you appreciate their hard work than after a long year of creating content, moderating forums, engaging executives and generally kicking community butt?

This year I asked my colleagues at TheCR what they considered to be their most indispensable item during the day! Enjoy our 2015 Community Manager Gift Guide!

Community Manager Gift Guide

  1. Paper Mate Flair Porous-Point Felt Tip Pens – Our favorite tool for color-coding our to-do lists and doodling our community dreams.
  2. Laptop Bag – Your laptop is your link to your community – give it a stylish carrying case!
  3. Earbuds – One team member swears these are the best earbuds out there for both marathon conference calls and rocking out to your favorite tunes.
  4. Hydro Flask – It’s important to stay hydrated when slaying community dragons. No judgement on what you choose to fill this with…
  5. The Best Hoodie Ever – Seriously. One of us (ok, it’s me) has this in five colors. It’s cushy, warm and perfect for keeping the chill off when your co-workers are aggressive with the thermostat. Available for men and women.
  6. Unicorn Tee – We know that every community manager is a magical unicorn – let the world know! Available for men and women.
  7. Mug Warmer – How many times have you feel down a community rabbit hole only to resurface and discover your once-tasty hot beverage is now cold and sad? Never again!

So tell me – what’s on your wish list this year?! Will you be picking up anything from our community manager gift guide?

PS – No endorsements or affiliate links in this community manager gift guide (other than the shirt that we sell ourselves) we just really, really love this stuff.

Valentines for Community Managers

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By Shannon DiGregorio Abram, Relationship Manager at The Community Roundtable.

Valentine’s Day is today so you still have time to send some love to your favorite community manager. While chocolate-based gifts are always a good idea sending them a sweet and slightly nerdy card is just as good. In lieu of our usual infographic today we’re posting a round up of our favorite cards from around the web.

1. Geometry Valentine – I just don’t think you can ever go wrong with a triangle pun.

acuteone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Han Solo – Both 11-year-old Shannon and 33-year-old Shannon have a crush on Han Solo.

hansolo

3. CSS ♥ HTML – Sure to melt the heart of even the most technical community manager.

CSS-to-HTML

4. You auto-complete me – Double points for also not actually being a robot.

auto complete me

5. Statistically significant other – I’m only sharing one, but every one of the cards Stephanie Evergreen made are wonderful and you should look at them.

Screen shot 2014-02-05 at 6.06.10 PM

In honor of Valentine’s I have a deal for you – if you haven’t taken the 2014 State of Community management survey and do so in the next 24 hours, I’ll personally send you a nerdy valentine email. All you have to do is take the survey (15 minutes!) and then comment here with your email or twitter handle. Then just sit back and wait for a fun surprise! Deal? Deal!

Have a very happy Friday tomorrow no matter what you’re celebrating. I’ll be enjoying the day by eating too much chocolate which actually makes it no different than any other Friday!