|
Introduction
The
purpose of this study was to understand the functional mechanics of
successful Web Based Communities and to determine the efficacy of current
online communities in serving the specific interest of Natural Bodybuilding.
This was accomplished by a review of literature in the fields of computer
facilitated communication and online community building. A review of the
history of bodybuilding and the differentiation between “Natural” and
“Enhanced” athletes was included to better understand community differences,
values and interest.
Having
drawn the distinction between these two communities, it was noted that
community involvement by those of the Enhanced persuasion sufficiently
eclipses that of the Natural to the point of non relevance. Considering that
most people still consider the use of drugs in sports to be “cheating”, the
above may serve as an indictment against a culture that values winning at
all cost above playing by the rules, or a failure of the Natural
Bodybuilding community to propagate its values.
Results of
the Study
It is
evident from the research that Natural Bodybuilding represents a very small
percentage of the overall bodybuilding community. The research has shown
that the use of performance enhancing drugs has infiltrated all aspects of
amateur and professional sports and could be considered mandatory if one is
to compete as a professional bodybuilder in the IFBB. The study has shown
that the use of steroids has grown among high school seniors with most
failing to acknowledge the dangers. The study has shown the failure of the
Natural Bodybuilding community adequately address these issues or capture
the publics interest or imagination. The study has shown that functional web
based communities are topically neutral and can be considered successful by
simply meeting the needs of their members, regardless of interest or
persuasion.
Similar to
a loosing politicians claim of having “failed to get their message out”, or
“failing to energize their base”, the natural bodybuilding community failed
to respond to the rise of the enhanced athlete and untested competitions.
With the exception of a few online isolated pockets of resistance, very few
are hearing their message. In response, one could argue that the few, small,
natural bodybuilding communities are successful as long as they meet the
needs of their members. While this statement is technically correct, it
fails to consider that Natural Bodybuilding is already an endangered species
in online representation and that in the absence of a concerted movement to
halt its declining enrollments, it is not far from functional extinction.
Conclusions
The writer
began this research with a firm conviction that public interest and support
of Natural Bodybuilding was substantial enough to justify the creation a Web
Based Community on the Lift for Life.com web site. The purpose of this
community would be to serve as a common ground for all natural athletes,
regardless of their sanctioning affiliation, to share their experiences,
knowledge, questions and concerns. Contrary to the writers’ expectations,
the research has shown that the overwhelming weight of public interest falls
on the enhanced side of the equation.
The Lift
for Life.com site exists as a service to the Natural Bodybuilding Community
and is not affiliated with any sanctioning body. Another purpose of the site
is to share information that may be of use to the non-bodybuilding
population. The writer learned through experience that the diet and exercise
techniques employed by natural bodybuilders in preparation for a competition
could be modified for use by the general public in meeting their fitness and
weight loss goals. To serve this purpose, diet and fitness information is
freely shared on both Lift for Life.com, and its sister site Ripped Abs.net.
These sites have received hundreds of letters from visitors with stories of
weight loss and improved self esteem.
Unlike
many small web sites, the Lift for Life.com website is self supporting,
generating sufficient revenue to cover all of its online expenses. This is
accomplished by means affiliate relationships with online retailers for
which it receives a percentage affiliate generated sales. In the absence of
financial concerns, there is enough justification for those sufficiently
inclined to pursue a cause for the sake of principal alone. The writer has
witnessed the creation, and subsequent dismantling of several web based
natural bodybuilding communities, each of which was born of ideal and
ambition. Banners of these fledgling groups were proudly posted on the Lift
for Life.com site, as are many others, as a show of support and to direct
online traffic to their respective web sites. One by one, the writer watched
as links went dead, their once proud banners, now the graveyard of abandoned
dreams.
Did the
community leaders fail to plan? Had they not adequately defined the purpose
of the community or failed to develop strong community leaders? Was their
software interface poorly designed and difficult to navigate? Perhaps they
simply lost interest. No epitaph to their abandoned ideals lingers to tell
of what once was, or might have been. No online autopsy reveals the cause of
their early demise. They’re just gone. Throughout the course of this
research, the writer has noted six characteristics which are evident in all
successful communities which he refers to below as the Six P’s of Community
Building.
The Six
P’s of Successful Web Based Communities
1. Passion
- When creating an online community, the builder (‘s) must choose a purpose
about which they are passionate. Weather it be business, family, interest,
hobby, cause or concern, the builders must have a sufficiency of passion and
momentum to stay with the project through the inevitable ebbs and tides of
community building.
2. Purpose
– Unfocused passion may inspire for a short time, but, lacking direction,
will accomplish little. The community builder (‘s) must clearly define and
articulate the purpose of the community. In the absence of a defined
purpose, potential members may fail to understand the intent of the
community and leave in confusion.
3. Planning
– Successful Web Based Communities are planned. It is not enough to
publish community software to a domain name and give it a community title.
The builder (‘s) should have an understanding of everything from software to
sociology. The planning phase will lay the blueprints in which community
type, means of interacting, rules of ethics and conduct and means of
enforcement are considered.
4. Preparing
– During the Preparation phase of community building, the builder (‘s) will
both select and familiarize themselves with software or other online tools
and resources which will contribute to the look and feel of the community.
Layout and site navigation will be determined at this time.
5. Promoting
– The builder (‘s) must consider how the community is to be promoted.
Depending on the purpose of the community, promotion strategies may be as
simple as telling family and friends of its existence, or require paid
advertising. In the absence of promotion techniques commensurate with the
goals and resources of the builder, it is not likely that anyone will be
aware of the community presence.
6. Practicing
– During this phase of community building, the community has been launched
and is attracting visitors. Though the hard work of preparation may be
behind you, this is not the time to rest. It is important now that the
builder (‘s) apply, and refine, everything that they have learned from the
above. Build on what works and discard what does not. It is in the practice
and application of the above that a virtual gathering place will be
transformed into a community of like minded individuals.
Recommendations
The
Natural Bodybuilding Community is fragmented by the presence of several
regional sanctioning organizations. Unless these small groups unite under
the banner of larger body sharing a common constitution, it is not likely
that the interest of Natural Bodybuilding will extend beyond its current
confines. The enhanced community is well entrenched and well funded, yet if
only for the sake of principal, there must be a unified response to the
virtual monopoly they hold in online representation. The writer suggests
that the Natural Bodybuilding community is most likely to promulgate its
interest through the medium of strong Web Based Community presence. In the
application of knowledge and principles acquired throughout the course of
this research, the writer presents this paper as a tool, which if used
properly, could have steroid like effects for those seeking to build an
online community for the interest of Natural Bodybuilders. |
