The Power of Community Building and the Pitfalls of Neglecting Artists: Lessons from Substack and SoundCloud

The Power of Community Building and the Pitfalls of Neglecting Artists: Lessons from Substack and SoundCloud

Introduction:
Building a thriving community is no easy task, but when done right, it can lead to remarkable success. Two platforms, Substack and SoundCloud, offer valuable insights into community building and the consequences of neglecting the needs of their users. While Substack focused on a specific group of professional writers to seed their community, SoundCloud's broken business model drove artists away. In this article, we will explore the common points and unique ideas from these two stories, as well as provide actionable advice for community builders.

1. Finding and Engaging the Right Allies:
   Both Substack and SoundCloud recognized the importance of targeting specific groups within their respective communities. Substack's founders understood that professional writers, who felt the pain of traditional publishing models, would be their early allies. They focused on building a tool stack specifically tailored to the needs of professional writers, such as payment, blog/email publishing, analytics, and community tools. Similarly, SoundCloud initially thrived by embracing the remix culture and providing a platform for up-and-coming artists. However, as SoundCloud shifted its focus towards major labels, it neglected the needs of independent artists who helped build its name.

Actionable Advice:

• Identify the key stakeholders who resonate with your platform or community.
• Understand their pain points and develop solutions tailored to their needs.
• Provide a platform that empowers and supports your target audience.

2. Personal Outreach and Collaboration:
   The power of personal outreach cannot be underestimated when it comes to inviting the first members to join a new community. Substack's founders personally reached out to professional writers, offering them an alternative publishing platform. Similarly, SoundCloud's success was fueled by collaboration and the sense of community among artists. SoundCloud facilitated the sharing of music through features like reposts and embeddable players, allowing artists to gain exposure and support from their peers.

Actionable Advice:

• Take the time to personally connect with potential community members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and support among community members.
• Provide tools and features that facilitate communication and sharing within the community.

3. Adapting and Evolving with User Needs:
   Both Substack and SoundCloud learned valuable lessons by listening to their users and adapting their platforms accordingly. Substack discovered that successful publications tend to make their best writing available for free to convert more subscribers. They also realized the importance of covering niche topics and encouraging long-form writing. SoundCloud, on the other hand, faced challenges with its business model and content policing. The platform's focus on major labels and neglect of independent artists led to a fractured community and a decline in user satisfaction.

Actionable Advice:

• Continuously gather feedback from community members and adapt your platform accordingly.
• Provide features and options that cater to the evolving needs of your users.
• Strive for a balanced approach that benefits both creators and consumers within the community.

Conclusion:
Building a successful community requires a deep understanding of your target audience, personalized outreach, collaboration, and the ability to adapt to evolving needs. Substack's focus on professional writers and personal outreach, as well as SoundCloud's initial embrace of the remix culture, highlight the power of community building. However, SoundCloud's neglect of independent artists and failure to adapt to changing user needs serve as cautionary tales. By incorporating these lessons and actionable advice, community builders can create thriving platforms that empower and support their members.