community sans noise

Three years ago I did a podcast on this topic. And as I came across it, something occurred to me. I still feel the same.

When I first started building communities, even long before Do the Woo or WordPress, I didn’t really call it community-building. I just talked to people, got to know them, and made space for others to share their stories.

Over the years, I’ve been asked many variations of the same question: “So where’s your group?” Facebook and LinkedIn groups? Slack community? Private forum? And I still answer it the same. “My website.”

Not because those things are bad. Just because I’ve found that community doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

There’s a belief out there that engagement means constantly chiming in. Liking. Replying. Dropping “Nice!” and “Love this!” like confetti at a parade. And sure, sometimes that’s fun. But sometimes it’s just noise. A room where everyone is talking and nobody is listening.

I’ve learned that one of the best community tools we have is simply: listening.

Listening to what people care about. Listening to what they build. Listening to what excites them, challenges them, or lights them up. And then, when there’s something meaningful to say, say it. When there’s someone who deserves a spotlight. Hand over the mic.

This is the heart of the podcasts I have done. Not adding more volume, just making the conversation better.

So if you’re building a community around your business, your product, your work, remember you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. Sometimes the strongest presence is the one that listens.

Community doesn’t need more noise. It just needs more attention.

Take it or leave it.

(But I recommend taking it.)