Need a quick way to build a community around an idea, event or concept?

Want to generate some discussion around a topic that is important to you (and you’re pretty sure other people are just as psyched)? Start a Facebook Group.

It’s easy, and finding members won’t be a problem. Just invite the folks that you know are most likely to join, and watch as their like-minded friends and contacts spot the group in news feeds and start joining en masse. Perhaps even encourage the most influential folks among your invitees to spread the word- or even better, to add content to the group in the form of photos, videos, links, and discussion posts.

In part, this post serves to turn the spotlight on a group I recently created called The Social Media Bar. The idea was born during a session at Barcamp Vancouver, where I assembled a panel of some incredibly bright folks who are experts in the field of social media. I’m speaking of Monique Trottier, Linda Bustos, Lee LeFever, Tanya Davis and Geoff Gachallan, plus myself.

As a group of about 40, we talked for an hour about social media and marketing, and as you might have guessed, we merely scratched the surface. The group was created to continue the discussion, and just a few days later, membership is growing quickly. I have seen group members adding each other as friends after seeing them in the member list, and that alone is enough reason for me to call it a success. Everyone is welcome, so please join.

Surely there’s an idea or group that you can rally a community around, and start a discussion that the whole collective can contribute to. It might just be the best way to find out who else shares your interest in something that is important to you.

So if you haven’t already, start your very first online community in the form of a Facebook Group, and you’ll begin to get an idea of what it means to bring people closer together using the social tools of the web. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!

Bonus link: An “awesometastic” example of a Facebook group with a great message: The Kindness Crew group, started by the guys of ExtremeKindness.com. They’re from my hometown, and travel around committing random acts of kindness and matching short-term volunteers with worthy causes. Well done, guys!

Dear Flickr,

My photos don’t seem to come up in tag searches. I have checked everything, and can’t seem to figure out what the problem is.

Please help, as I would love for my shots to appear in searches for barcampvancouver07, as well as my many, many other tags.

In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure, please enjoy this set of photos from Vancouver’s recent Barcamp, and remember where you came from.

Love always,

Jordan

P.S. Here’s a slideshow of the ones that I want the other Barcamp folks to see:

I’m not going to attempt a live blog this year; too much work trying to plan a session plus my duties as an organizer.

But I did want to link to the various photo and post tags, as well as any links from proper livebloggers at the event. There is talk of a Ustream live feed from the Workspace couch starting tomorrow too, so watch for that.

Update: Miss604 is live blogging like the champion she is, check out here post.
Pardon me if this post keeps popping up in the feed all weekend as I update it with tons of links and whatnot. It will be as if you’re there, even if you’re not.

Here’s a few to get started:

Flickr: barcampvancouver07 barcampvancouver
Technorati: barcampvancouver07 barcampvancouver

I forgot my camera, as did everyone else.
Barcamp Organizers photo by Roland’s camera phone.

Hey Flickr! Why don’t my own shots come up in tag searches? My account has been deemed ’safe’ for ages…

Barcamp Vancouver, the 2007 edition is fast approaching, so get ready to get your Barcamp on. Unless of course you’re not already signed up, because the pattern is full, Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

This year’s Vancouver event is already well over-booked, with a waiting list of over 70 people! So this post is more for the folks who are already signed up to attend.

Those of you not in Vancouver are encouraged to search Barcamp.org for your local event, or find details at that same site about how you can organize and host your own. Take a cue from the likes of Kris Krug and Robert Scales, Vancouver’s own adopted sons, who are teaming up to plan Barcamp Shanghai and Barcamp Beijing. Leave it to them to return to the land of the Great Wall with their free-spirited, open-sourcedness to host an unconference in a place where free speech doesn’t even exist.

Kris also wants to remind folks that he’ll once again be hosting Photocamp at the Vancouver event, so bring yer cameras.

What is Barcamp, You Ask?

For a comprehensive “What is BarCamp” lesson, visit the BarCamp.org rules page, or the BarCamp wikipedia entry. In short:

BarCamp is an ad-hoc unconference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join.

When you come, be prepared to share with Barcampers.
When you leave, be prepared to share it with the world.

After last year’s event, I was so amazed at the things I learned and the people I met that I wanted to help out anywhere I could this year. So I joined (invited myself onto) the organizing committee, and thus I feel it is my duty to share a bit of Barcamp How-to.

So here are some details and a bit of “what’s-what” for the local gang, as stolen from James’ info email that went out this morning:

A Barcamp Vancouver Hotlist

• If you can’t make it, and you’re on the list, please give up your spot. Spread the word about this too, there’s still tons of cool folks waiting to be among the lucky few. If you can’t come, let somebody know and have yourself replaced on the wiki.
• T-shirts are always the hottest topic, and this year will be no exception. They are fuschia in color (I’m not making this up), and as last year will going for a suggested donation of $20 at the door.
• If you’re ready, go to the wiki and look for the “Topics” headline, and share a few words about your presentation. The more you share now, the better chance of being selected on the day, and likely a better turnout as well.
• Bring your tools: cameras, laptops, mobile devices and any other cool gadgetry as you deem fit. And while you’re at it, bring an open mind, and your best ideas. There is always something to be learned, and plenty to be blogged as well.

And Lastly, A Schedule of Events:

Friday, August 17: food and drink at the Alibi Room

• Appetizers all evening
• Drinks starting at 6:30 pm
• We’re in the private area downstairs
• The Alibi Room, 157 Alexander Street @ Main (map)
• Sleepover at Workspace, 21 Water Street, Suite 400

Saturday, August 18: conference day all day

• Start at 8:30 AM with day organization
• Pastries and coffees available
• Pizza lunch to be delivered at noonish (special diet grub is also available. Yes, your special diet. Zak thinks he has them all covered)
• Workspace, Suite 400 - 21 Water Street (map)
• End at 5:30 PM

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, feel free to leave it in a comment below, or ask an organizer:

* KrisKrug - www.kriskrug.com
* RolandTanglao - www.rolandtanglao.com
* RobertScales - www.robertscales.org
* ZakGreant - www.zak.greant.com
* JamesSherrett - www.adhack.com
* IanivSchweber - www.blogaholics.ca
* MeganCole - www.megancole.org
* JordanBehan - www.telltenfriends.com
* AaronGladders - www.2paths.com

I for one am eagerly looking forward to it. If you happen to bump into me this weekend, please say hello. Whether we’ve already been acquainted or if we’ve never had the pleasure of meeting, I’m always in the mood to say hi and have a conversation. See you then!