Building Community is the Most Important Skill that I Learned in 2021

Building Community is the Most Important Skill that I Learned in 2021

"The Medium Model"

Building community is the most important skill that I learned this year. It is a skill that has proven to be invaluable in various aspects of my life, both personally and professionally. One of the places where I have witnessed the power of community-building is on Reddit, where I discovered that moderators are our most important customer segment.

When I joined Reddit, I quickly realized the significance of engaging with moderators. They play a crucial role in shaping and maintaining the communities on the platform. With this insight, I decided to build Talk, a community-led product development initiative, in collaboration with our trusted moderators. Together, we created a community specifically for Reddit moderators to try Talk. This approach allowed us to gather valuable feedback and insights directly from those who understand the platform the best.

Building Talk with moderators was an enriching experience. We engaged in daily dialogue about the product, shared designs, and openly responded to feedback. This collaborative approach not only strengthened the product, but it also fostered a sense of ownership and belonging among the moderators. They became an extension of our product team, contributing their expertise and perspectives to shape Talk into a tool that truly served their needs.

Witnessing the power of building a customer community firsthand has been a privilege. Throughout my journey, I have also been able to grow my own audience through a combination of useful advice and lighthearted content. By providing valuable insights and engaging in some playful banter, I managed to attract 30K Twitter followers and 10K newsletter subscribers.

In September, I wrote a curious beginner's guide to crypto, aiming to explain key web3 concepts in a way that even a five-year-old could understand. The post resonated with many and was widely shared on social media platforms. This experience taught me the importance of having a clear mission when building a community. When you have a clear purpose and deliver content that aligns with that mission, you can attract like-minded individuals who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

However, I also learned that building a community can be a lonely road, especially in the early stages. It requires dedication and patience to nurture and grow a community from scratch. In hindsight, I realized that I should have focused on growing the community at a slower pace, ensuring proper onboarding for new members. Providing clear channels for newcomers to navigate, such as start, intros, and how-to-help sections, would have made the onboarding process smoother and more inclusive.

Furthermore, I discovered that the size of the community is not as important as the quality of its core contributors. Instead of obsessing over member numbers, it is crucial to identify and activate core contributors who are passionate about the mission and can get things done. These individuals are the driving force behind any community's success. To nurture and support them, it is essential to show gratitude, amplify their contributions through various channels, and even grant them co-ownership or decision-making power.

Another valuable lesson I learned is the importance of kindling small fires within the community. A vibrant and dynamic community is often made up of multiple small, empowered teams. These teams have their own ideas, projects, and directions. As a community builder, it is essential to support and boost their efforts, even if they don't align 100% with your vision. Embracing diverse perspectives and initiatives within the community can lead to unexpected growth and innovation.

Building a community is a significant commitment, but it is also a critical skill to develop in today's digital landscape. With the internet's power, a group of like-minded individuals can come together and create something truly remarkable. The key is to have a clear mission, focus on activating core contributors, and prioritize onboarding to ensure inclusivity and cohesion. By nurturing a strong community, you can tap into the collective wisdom, creativity, and passion of its members to achieve extraordinary things.

In conclusion, building community is not just a skill; it is a mindset and a commitment. It requires empathy, active engagement, and a genuine desire to connect with others. When done right, community-building can be a transformative experience, leading to personal growth, professional success, and the creation of something great. So, let's harness the power of community and build connections that make a difference.