One thing that most community managers are involved with, in one form or another, is automation. Tweets, Facebook posts, email responses, sign ups to your RSS feed, yes even that, can all be automated to some extent. Recently, Scott Stratten posted this tweet about a comment of his on automation and then shared it on his Unmarketing Facebook page with the following:
This got me thinking, is automation an evil word? I’ve read some of Christopher S. Penn‘s blos posts and participated in a twitter chat with him on automation. He shares ways that automation does not look like automation. If you can do it that way and monitor and respond in real time, why not use automation? Let’s get your opinion on it. Join us Friday at 2pm ET.
You can watch and join in our Google+ Hangout or follow and join the conversation on Twitter using #cmgrhangout
My Community Manager has been hosting the Community Manager Hangout on Google+ since January 24, 2012. We’ve never been afraid to push the envelope and try new things. We did it with the Community Manager UNconfernce, we did it with embracing all types of community managers, and we do it every Friday by combining a Google Hangout with a Twitter Chat!
**Shameless Plug**
Don’t forget to vote! Our workshop proposal for SxSWi 2013: The Community Manager: Enter the C-Suite, we all agreed that too many organizations are looking at roles that are entry level involving social media and calling those positions community managers. This isn’t about job titles, it’s about responsibilities and how how the role of community manager can grow. Have you voted yet?
Community Manager Hangout Questions:
Introductions
Q1) Just Yes or No: Should automation be used? (You’ll be able to clarify next)
Q2) Why do you feel automation is good/bad?
Q3) What are the benefits of using automation?
Q4) What are some best practices when using automation?
Q5) When should you not use automation?
Q6) If we ask you now, after hearing from everyone else, do you think automation should be used? (Yes or No)
Community Manager Hangout on Friday will field questions and foster a conversation on Twitter while community managers on Google+ will answer and respond. It’s our core mission to include as many people as we can while being a resource for community managers, those wanting to become community managers and companies hiring community managers. How does it work? Tim McDonald, founder of My Community Manager, will moderate the Google+ Hangout and Brandie McCallum will host the Twitter chat using the hashtag #cmgrhangout. If you have a question, you can post it on Twitter during the hangout beginning at 2pm EDT on Friday and continuing until 3pm EDT.
This week, we are looking for community managers or anyone responsible for managing digital content. Leave us a comment below or find us on G+ and tell us. We’ll invite you on air for the hangout. You must have a Google+ account and be able to use a webcam. Interested in being part of the hangout? Join us on G+, Watch right here (starting at 2pm ET) or follow #cmgrhangout on Twitter.
