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Creating a repository of important documents for members may have been a daunting task in the past however current web technology has made it not only possible but relatively easy to accomplish. Wiki’s not only allow you to share information, but allow the collective power of your members to upkeep and enhance this information with minimal participation on your part. As a result, offering a wiki is a great member benefit that can be implemented with minimal risk. Like any other benefit you offer there are still some things you will need to do in order to be successful. The following tips will go a long way in getting you started.
- Start with some established content. One critical error that many for-profits and non-profits alike make is launching a wiki without any information. Wiki’s encourage collaboration and create knowledge banks, however if nothing is present there is little reason to use it. Also, this gives the impression to your membership that you are not committed and have put in little effort.
- Encourage your membership. Half of the battle is letting your membership know that the wiki exists. Associations have the benefit of an established audience / user base however you still need to tell them about the wiki and why it benefits them. Once members realize the amazing resource you have created for them, they will naturally want to maintain and enhance it.
- Explain how to use it. Using a wiki may be a new experience to a large amount of your members, so making how to use it clear will directly influence its success. In addition to providing instructions about how to use the wiki, you should also determine what the proper behavior of your members on the wiki should be. By outlining what they should and shouldn’t do, you can also help minimize potential upkeep and maintenance problems.
- Integrate it with your site. In addition to telling your members about your new wiki, it should also be optimally integrated into your site. This can be done by featuring it prominently on your homepage or by creating links from topics on your website to supporting information within your wiki. This will ensure that your wiki is used by those members who may have forgotten about it or who chose not to participate at an earlier time.
These four tips can help you establish a wiki that is collectively maintained and expanded upon by your members. With wikis the value is obviously created through the information that is contained within. By giving your members a solid foundation, you can ensure that they utilize the service further.
Note: This article was originally published on The Forum Effect Blog