The Intersection of Good Writing and Building a Community: Lessons in Simplicity and Belief

The Intersection of Good Writing and Building a Community: Lessons in Simplicity and Belief

Introduction:
"Write like you code." This powerful statement highlights the similarities between good writing and good code - simplicity, efficiency, and structure. Conversely, bad writing and bad code share traits such as unnecessary complexity, inefficiency, and lack of structure. In this article, we will explore the commonalities between these two disciplines and delve into the concept of building a community based on the principles of belief and commitment.

Writing and Coding: The Parallels:
Just as good code can be understood by a junior engineer or a first-year CS student, good writing should be accessible to a wide range of readers. It is essential for writers to consider the mental resources of their audience, such as attention span and memory, much like how programmers take into account CPU cycles and RAM. To combat reader boredom, good writing incorporates humor and insights, aiming to provide an epiphany every 250 words, as per the "Raymond Chandler rule" proposed by David Perell.

Building a Community: The Power of Belief:
When it comes to building a community, it is crucial to recognize that commitment and belief go hand in hand. Members who are highly committed tend to make larger contributions over time. To lower the barrier to entry and gradually increase commitment, it is advisable to start with small, easily achievable requests before moving on to more significant ones. For instance, Meetup and Airbnb employed this strategy by first asking new members to read a blog post or watch a video before participating actively. People are more likely to say yes to larger requests if they have already said yes to smaller ones.

The Importance of Community-Member-Fit (CMF):
Community-Member-Fit, or CMF, is the point at which members consistently provide meaningful value to each other without being prompted. When starting a community, it is essential to focus on actions at the top of the commitment curve and engage with individuals who are already highly committed. Instead of emulating established communities, the emphasis should be on how these communities originated. Meetup and Airbnb, for example, began by targeting the biggest believers - their founders themselves. To find CMF, seek out individuals who are already attempting, albeit unsuccessfully, to fulfill the purpose your community offers. The goal is to convince them to join forces with you.

Starting Small, Thinking Big:
Contrary to popular belief, a thriving community does not require an overwhelming number of members from the start. In fact, it only takes a dedicated core of 10 true believers to kickstart a community. Instead of approaching successful conference organizers, focus on finding small event organizers who are still in need of support. These individuals possess the motivation but lack the resources to succeed on their own. By offering assistance and creating a sense of belonging, you can foster their belief in your community's mission.

Actionable Advice:

1. Keep it simple: Just as good code is simple and efficient, strive for simplicity in your writing. Avoid unnecessary complexity and streamline your message to captivate and engage readers effectively.
2. Gradually increase commitment: Lower the barrier to entry and incrementally ramp up commitment by starting with small requests before moving on to more significant ones. This strategy ensures a higher likelihood of positive responses from community members.
3. Find your believers: Focus on individuals who are already highly committed to the purpose your community serves. Seek out those who are actively trying but have not yet achieved success. By aligning with their motivations and providing support, you can build a solid foundation for your community.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the art of good writing and the process of building a community share common principles. Both require simplicity, efficiency, and structure. By understanding the mental resources of readers and the power of belief and commitment, writers and community builders can create engaging content and foster meaningful connections. Remember, it only takes a small group of believers to start a community, and finding community-member fit is crucial for long-term success. So, write like you code, and build for believers.