Community changes things

20 years ago, online communities changed how I see the role of a creator.

And that role influenced many of the things I did since, including some really successful products.

Y’see, online communities were still quite new then, but they were tight. If you had an interest, there was likely a bulletin board or IRC channel for you.

Prior to then, if you wanted to make things that spread, you kind of had to be asked, or put it on your little corner of the web and ask people to go check it out, shouting about it in hope people will listen. Which, amusingly, is still what most people do to this day, then complain when things don’t work out.

But when community showed up, this changed. Back then I was able to make an episodic content and distribute it directly to an eager and supportive crowd. I was able to make a community-powered products and access both rapid feedback and easy distribution all thanks to… that’s right, community.

But real community. Not these lukewarm slack channels or telegram group chats where people only show up to get something in return. The kind where people show up because its part of their identity, where they contribute meaningfully, where it’s a source of great joy for them.

So you wanna amplify your work? Figure out who you’re talking to, and what they need. Then don’t sell them… join them. Then just watch what happens when their new buddy has a solution to their problems.