You will not believe this! I might not be a marketing expert like you yet, but the first note I read from Neela's page was the one you mentioned in the article which was an instant 'subscribe' button catalyst!
Thank you, Urmila. Are you following Neela? She is absolutely wonderful. She’s far smarter than I am when it comes to building community here. Have a wonderful day, I’m off to light up your notifications :)
When people come to engage in the comments then you know you have a community if they only chat with you then they're a connection. Sometimes joining a community can take a while as they have their own syntax and unknown rules
3 thoughts: 1.) True engagement takes time, so does nuturing a garden. 2.) My community are not fans/participants of social platforms, thus I am very selective with sharing out of respect (time/TMI) so restacking is not in my playbook. I did share your Swift post with a former NPD executive now teaching at Depaul graduate school. Never heard back. 3.) I will go on record I am not a big fan of social networks. Based on experience I have found them ephemeral ttps://smartketing.com/2024/03/04/forever-relevant-ephemeral-6-2-2023/ But I keep experimenting in my quest to build my community.
Thank you, Jimmy. It really depends on who you want to connect with, and how. For me, the relationships hold value personally, and to my business. Having said that, a lot of people just want to build an audience and engage with readers privately, or discovery via search engines. Which is another reason why I wish Substack would focus more on SEO and writing tools vs video options. But I digress. Will check out your post, thanks for sharing.
I like the garden analogy. From my POV Mack you are building an audience because when people leave a comment you hit the like button which is not true engagement or connectivity, Engagement would be to drill down on what a person likes, thus make a connection. Building a community (a.k.a. Tribe) takes a special skill set and time.
Hey Jimmy, interesting thoughts! Shrewd to observe there are different levels and values to our engagement here. Clicking Like is pretty easy. Thoughtful comments are better, but they take more time. I try to make time regularly for thoughtful comments, especially for those that leave me the same, as you do. I also think restacking and including a Note explaining why the article is worth your attention is great as well. @Neela 🌶️ does a wonderful job with this. I am trying to get better at it.
No wonder, no wonder we have too many overlapping thoughts! I am not the biggest fan of 'clickers' and people who leave quality comments when mentioned or even otherwise and those who restack with a note deserve a special place in heaven! Honestly your quality comment on @fray's post when she mentioned you is what initially caught my attention to check your Substack so it's clearly working!
Awesome! @Frey is wonderful. I have learned that it’s a good idea to find and support good people on Substack. It’s why I love Frey and Neela. Glad we are connected now, Urmila!
Hi Bette! Great way of putting it! For instance, I want to engage with you and promote your content because I like you and appreciate that you have done the same for me. I think that feeling of gratitude needs to be present among community members, though. If everyone is looking for reciprocity, that alters behavior. Most users on Substack seem to be operating from a place of gratitude.
I agree with that. And I promote you for the same reasons. I like what you write and enjoy interacting with you. So many people online are always trying to sell me something. It’s hard to find those who aren’t so transparently transactional! lol
Love the distinction between community vs audience! Whenever I speak to business owners and organisations about 'building communities', I love asking them: "What's a community you're *currently actively engaged in*?" Not what community you'd like to be a part of; who are you actively contributing to now? If so, why are you engaged in that community?
I find that it shines a huge spotlight on the gap between what they envisage as a community vs the reality of being in one.
The Alabama example you used was perfect and so helpful (and that's coming from an Ohio State fan, so you know I mean it 😏).
To be honest, I think I sit more in the audience camp, but I want a community and this article made me rethink my strategy a little bit. Because you're absolutely right--community doesn't just happen. Like anything, it comes from being intentional in how and where you invest your energy.
Congrats on the NC win! I was pulling for the Buckeyes in the playoffs. An audience works better than a community in certain cases. For instance if you just want to build a readership as quickly as possible then sell sponsorships, an audience may make more sense. Really in any scenario where it’s more about having the biggest numbers, an audience works better.
If it’s a scenario where you need your readers to engage with you in some way to help you reach your goals, a community is usually better. But you are very engaging on here, Morgan! So a community would be perfect for you.
I love this helpful distinction between audience (hearers) and community (oneness in common). Thanks for the Alabama example to make it clear, and for showing with Neela's post how to foster cross-conversation. I'll look forward to March examples!
Thank you, Hans! the picture of the different direction of the chairs seems to really help people understand the difference. Can’t wait to see what Neela has in store in March!
And you, too. Community is vitally important, and especially now with a coup threatening to rip our social fabric to shreds. We need to connect on many levels to rebuild what others seem determined to break
Most online creators claim they’re ‘building a community’ when they’re really just collecting passive listeners. A real community isn’t a one-person show. It’s a group chat, not a megaphone. PLENTY OF SHIT TALK IN BETWEEN. If your 'community' disappears the moment you stop talking, congrats, you had an audience.
Do you remember in the early days of Facebook, when you could select someone and ‘throw a sheep’ at them? I read a blog post once about a website design/marketing meeting. They settled on the tweaks to the landing pages, the changes to UX, etc etc. Everyone got up to end the meeting.
Then the VP of Marketing asked “where is the ability to throw sheep in this plan?” She explained we had nothing in the plan that was geared toward giving our users a way to engage and connect with each other. The stuff that had absolutely nothing to do with our business, but everything to do with building a community. Which had a lot to do with our business.
Very good article Mack. Explained the differences well, in the realm of Substack. About 3 years ago I was planning on something larger than I’m doing now. It was to be a Consulting Membership Group helping each business grow. I looked at the range of membership software, evaluated all their features, and had made my choice. Unfortunately my health (terrible shoulder and arm problems caused primarily from too much time at the computer) wouldn’t let me continue. I’m interested in how you think Substack can work against these other quite high powered software alternatives?
Thanks for reading, David! Obviously, Substack is far more limited in available tools and functionality. But, the social element makes a big difference. I’m actually going to start experimenting with the tools here more once my paid subscribers get up to say 25-50. Then I will start doing some chat threads and other things just for them.
Long term, I am a bit worried about Substacks push for live video. I hope they aren’t getting too disconnected from their core user base. I’ll be watching closely over the next few months.
You will not believe this! I might not be a marketing expert like you yet, but the first note I read from Neela's page was the one you mentioned in the article which was an instant 'subscribe' button catalyst!
Thank you, Urmila. Are you following Neela? She is absolutely wonderful. She’s far smarter than I am when it comes to building community here. Have a wonderful day, I’m off to light up your notifications :)
I directly jumped to step 2 and subscribed not just follow😁.
You are very wise, Urmila! 🙌🏻
When people come to engage in the comments then you know you have a community if they only chat with you then they're a connection. Sometimes joining a community can take a while as they have their own syntax and unknown rules
Thank you for your comment. Every member of my Tribe is a story and I would recognize them in a lineup then go out and share a cocktail with.
3 thoughts: 1.) True engagement takes time, so does nuturing a garden. 2.) My community are not fans/participants of social platforms, thus I am very selective with sharing out of respect (time/TMI) so restacking is not in my playbook. I did share your Swift post with a former NPD executive now teaching at Depaul graduate school. Never heard back. 3.) I will go on record I am not a big fan of social networks. Based on experience I have found them ephemeral ttps://smartketing.com/2024/03/04/forever-relevant-ephemeral-6-2-2023/ But I keep experimenting in my quest to build my community.
Thank you, Jimmy. It really depends on who you want to connect with, and how. For me, the relationships hold value personally, and to my business. Having said that, a lot of people just want to build an audience and engage with readers privately, or discovery via search engines. Which is another reason why I wish Substack would focus more on SEO and writing tools vs video options. But I digress. Will check out your post, thanks for sharing.
I like the garden analogy. From my POV Mack you are building an audience because when people leave a comment you hit the like button which is not true engagement or connectivity, Engagement would be to drill down on what a person likes, thus make a connection. Building a community (a.k.a. Tribe) takes a special skill set and time.
Hey Jimmy, interesting thoughts! Shrewd to observe there are different levels and values to our engagement here. Clicking Like is pretty easy. Thoughtful comments are better, but they take more time. I try to make time regularly for thoughtful comments, especially for those that leave me the same, as you do. I also think restacking and including a Note explaining why the article is worth your attention is great as well. @Neela 🌶️ does a wonderful job with this. I am trying to get better at it.
No wonder, no wonder we have too many overlapping thoughts! I am not the biggest fan of 'clickers' and people who leave quality comments when mentioned or even otherwise and those who restack with a note deserve a special place in heaven! Honestly your quality comment on @fray's post when she mentioned you is what initially caught my attention to check your Substack so it's clearly working!
Awesome! @Frey is wonderful. I have learned that it’s a good idea to find and support good people on Substack. It’s why I love Frey and Neela. Glad we are connected now, Urmila!
pssshtttt - you do a good job bro.
Happy Wednesday to you and goodnight to Jimmy :)
I study my sis closely :)
Oh lordy lol!
I would say this is the difference between transactional and transformational Mack! It's asking how can I help you, not how can you help me
Hi Bette! Great way of putting it! For instance, I want to engage with you and promote your content because I like you and appreciate that you have done the same for me. I think that feeling of gratitude needs to be present among community members, though. If everyone is looking for reciprocity, that alters behavior. Most users on Substack seem to be operating from a place of gratitude.
I agree with that. And I promote you for the same reasons. I like what you write and enjoy interacting with you. So many people online are always trying to sell me something. It’s hard to find those who aren’t so transparently transactional! lol
It’s funny, it seems most people either sell waaaaay too much/hard, or never promote themselves. Very little in between!
The hardcore folks drive me crazy. It's like slow down and breathe!
Love the distinction between community vs audience! Whenever I speak to business owners and organisations about 'building communities', I love asking them: "What's a community you're *currently actively engaged in*?" Not what community you'd like to be a part of; who are you actively contributing to now? If so, why are you engaged in that community?
I find that it shines a huge spotlight on the gap between what they envisage as a community vs the reality of being in one.
The Alabama example you used was perfect and so helpful (and that's coming from an Ohio State fan, so you know I mean it 😏).
To be honest, I think I sit more in the audience camp, but I want a community and this article made me rethink my strategy a little bit. Because you're absolutely right--community doesn't just happen. Like anything, it comes from being intentional in how and where you invest your energy.
Congrats on the NC win! I was pulling for the Buckeyes in the playoffs. An audience works better than a community in certain cases. For instance if you just want to build a readership as quickly as possible then sell sponsorships, an audience may make more sense. Really in any scenario where it’s more about having the biggest numbers, an audience works better.
If it’s a scenario where you need your readers to engage with you in some way to help you reach your goals, a community is usually better. But you are very engaging on here, Morgan! So a community would be perfect for you.
Love this breakdown, Mack! The "which way are your chairs facing?" analogy really hits.
Thank you, Irene!
I love this helpful distinction between audience (hearers) and community (oneness in common). Thanks for the Alabama example to make it clear, and for showing with Neela's post how to foster cross-conversation. I'll look forward to March examples!
Thank you, Hans! the picture of the different direction of the chairs seems to really help people understand the difference. Can’t wait to see what Neela has in store in March!
And you, too. Community is vitally important, and especially now with a coup threatening to rip our social fabric to shreds. We need to connect on many levels to rebuild what others seem determined to break
Are you telling me I set a good example, bro?
LOL!
Most online creators claim they’re ‘building a community’ when they’re really just collecting passive listeners. A real community isn’t a one-person show. It’s a group chat, not a megaphone. PLENTY OF SHIT TALK IN BETWEEN. If your 'community' disappears the moment you stop talking, congrats, you had an audience.
You know I'm passionate about this topic Mack.
You are the queen of community.
Do you remember in the early days of Facebook, when you could select someone and ‘throw a sheep’ at them? I read a blog post once about a website design/marketing meeting. They settled on the tweaks to the landing pages, the changes to UX, etc etc. Everyone got up to end the meeting.
Then the VP of Marketing asked “where is the ability to throw sheep in this plan?” She explained we had nothing in the plan that was geared toward giving our users a way to engage and connect with each other. The stuff that had absolutely nothing to do with our business, but everything to do with building a community. Which had a lot to do with our business.
Heres to more shit talk and more community.
or poking - I used to love poking my friends, lol
I shamelessly used your article to promote our March community month.
Love it! Thanks so much, sis!
Yes the quasi flirting of the Facebook poke lol. Cannot wait for your Community posts next month, thanks for inviting me!
It’s a more thoughtful one - you will like it - maybe …
Very good article Mack. Explained the differences well, in the realm of Substack. About 3 years ago I was planning on something larger than I’m doing now. It was to be a Consulting Membership Group helping each business grow. I looked at the range of membership software, evaluated all their features, and had made my choice. Unfortunately my health (terrible shoulder and arm problems caused primarily from too much time at the computer) wouldn’t let me continue. I’m interested in how you think Substack can work against these other quite high powered software alternatives?
Thanks for reading, David! Obviously, Substack is far more limited in available tools and functionality. But, the social element makes a big difference. I’m actually going to start experimenting with the tools here more once my paid subscribers get up to say 25-50. Then I will start doing some chat threads and other things just for them.
Long term, I am a bit worried about Substacks push for live video. I hope they aren’t getting too disconnected from their core user base. I’ll be watching closely over the next few months.
Safe travels home!