I think it’s interesting when clients or members refer to their community as “a Communispace.” For example, when a client says, “Can you help so-and-so access our Communispace?” Or when a member says, “I belong to the XYZ Communispace.”
It is reminiscent of other companies whose names have achieved noun status —Kleenex, Zipper, Velcro—and some that have even been lucky enough to become verbs, ‘googling’ and ‘xeroxing.’ In a similar fashion, “a Communispace” has become shorthand for the unique sui generis experience that is a Communispace community.
What better way to describe this thing, after all? It’s not just a regular old social networking site. It’s not just a survey site. It’s a Communispace! A space…for communicating…with a brand or company. Nothing else quite like it.
No wonder, then, that people have naturally begun to refer to our communities by the name of our company. There’s just no other word available that succinctly captures it all. When a product is so unique that no words can describe it, it can then begin its lofty ascent into Merriam Webster-dom.
In the meantime, I’m off to see what’s going on in my Communispace…
Hey Jimmy! I love this post! I notice our members say it, too. In fact, lately when I have been facilitating I have secretly (not so secret anymore) snuck in the use of the term ‘Communispace,’ e.g. Log in to your Communispace! or It’s great to see you in the Communispace! Communispace as noun = success!
Jimmy, I love it! It’s like reaching out for my “ChapStick!”