Audience as Authors: Creating, Managing, and Sustaining a Community of Contributors

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” – Hunter S. Thompson

The internet and web technologies have torn down the walls around the editor’s desk. But instead of being threatened by the Web, publishing companies should see it for the amazing collaborative tool it is.

Too many people see crowdsourcing as shorthand for “cheap, plentiful content.” It’s not—managing a community can be expensive and time-consuming. It’s actually a radical new way to find sources, learn from firsthand expertise, build community, and create awesome products.

Join internet pioneer Derek Powazek for an inside look at how forward-thinking companies are innovating media by empowering readers to become writers, consumers to become creators. Powazek will share his experiences from JPG, a magazine that’s created from 100% community submissions; Fray, a book series that sprang from a virtual community; as well as insights from community-first companies like Moo, Blurb, and Flickr.