Community is a hot buzzword right now…
Yes, I know. That’s obvious news.
As a Community Manager, I’ve seen hundreds of creators and companies start to consider community for their own businesses. Community is becoming the thing to invest in.
What isn’t so obvious, however, is how many more creators and businesses will never launch their community. And not because they don’t know how!
No, the answer runs deeper.
They’re afraid to fail. Publicly.
These creators are afraid of trying something new in front of a group of people watching their every move. How could they not be intimidated?
What if that post you spent hours on never receives any likes?
Or what if you say the wrong thing in a live event with your few community members watching?
Even worse, what if you invest all of this time and effort into something that never actually makes you any money?
These are all horror scenarios that make even my skin crawl, but there’s a silver lining: you can’t fail at community.
It’s quite literally impossible.
Reason #1: You Can’t Fail At Connecting with Others
The definition of community is “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.”
In other words, it means you’re bringing people with similarities together. You’re holding space for that group of people and giving them a safe container to share, ask questions, receive insights, build relationships and so much more.
It’s what you’re hardwired for.
Have you ever introduced one of your friends to another over happy hour? Or connected someone you knew with an old colleague on LinkedIn?
Congratulations! You’re a community builder.
And that’s exactly what you’re doing in your own community. So tell me, how can you truly fail at connecting with others?
Reason #2: Community Is A Testing Ground
As you build your community, wherever it may be, you’re allowed to test new ideas, patterns, posts, events, etc.
In case no one has reminded you today, you’re a human being. Not a robot. That means you’re allowed to change your mind, learn from your mistakes, and take a break.
If you notice something isn’t working for you as the manager of your community or within your community for your members, you can pivot.
Your members likely joined your community to become closer to you, and showing that you’re a real person is only going to strengthen that bond. By being yourself, you give your members permission to do the same.
Final Thoughts
Community, like its members, requires constant evolution. You can’t fail at community, but you can certainly learn.
Lean into that learning and give yourself permission to move! Because your community needs you.
