[04.28.10]

The Webby Awards People's Voice features the "who's who" of Internet publishing. The public can pick its favorites nominees from categories such as Television, Branded Content, Web Applications & Services, Best Visual Design Aesthetic, and Best Use of Photography.

As of today, Twitter is in 1st place with 25% of votes and Hulu is a close second with 24%. This got me thinking about the state of the Internet today. At one time, websites were almost all primarily used as either content dumps or marketing tools for businesses. Now they have grown to include all kinds of interactive forums for news, postings, videos and TV shows. The sites that seem to generate the most enthusiasm are the ones where we can share our voice, contribute, and connect with one another.

The Webby Awards site is itself a good example of this new way of using the Internet. Last year nearly half a million votes were cast and commenters showed an unrivaled passion for their favorite nominees.

How can you get your clients to get enthusiastic about things you care about? Do you have a place for clients to connect with you, with other customers, to post information, share experiences, or read others' experiences? Think about what would make you excited to come back to a site or stay there long enough to contribute something. Then build it and watch them come.