#72 Your Community Values
In March I wrote in my notebook "share your values more" and that has become a mantra for me over the last few months. By sharing more "spicy opinions" and what I care about, I'm attracting my people.
The communities I'm helping build will make the world a better place – and that is a core value of mine I want to live by.
This week this topic came up in a membership strategy workshop with a client of mine and I just knew I had to share it with you.
Let’s get into it —
Ask any product person to help you build a product and they will ask you one question – "What problem are you solving?"
I work with a lot of founders that solve a broad problem. Problems like...
Experiencing burnout
Getting more leads
Struggling with stress
Feeling unhealthy
Scaling your business
But with community products there is another equally important question...
What do you stand for? What are your community values?
The overlap between the problem you solve and the community values you hold are how you attract members to your community that will find belonging.
If they don't have shared values, they won't feel belonging.
They won't stick around, and there won't be much of a community.
I always come back to the Creative Mornings manifesto as an example.
Everyone is creative.
A creative life requires bravery and action, honesty and hard work. We are here to support you, celebrate with you, and encourage you to make the things you love. We believe in the power of community.
We believe in giving a damn. We believe in face-to-face connections, in learning from others, in hugs and high fives.
We bring together people who are driven by passion and purpose, confident that they will inspire one another, and inspire change in neighborhoods and cities around the world.
Everyone is welcome.
At all 239 chapters every single month this is read for the local creative community before the monthly talk. The attendees feel belonging – they have shared values with Creative Mornings and the people that attend.
If you're not sold on this concept...
I saw Codie Sanchez speak at Craft + Commerce and she shared how to build the culture you want (referring to her audience) –
"Do this by sharing your spicy point of view and your values. You will attract your people."
If you're worried about leaving people out by sharing your spice – Codie has an audience of millions.
How do you put those values into practice?
This question can help you create really unique programming and strategies for connecting members to one another.
I'll explore this idea in a future issue, but for now give it some thought!
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