created + curated by Erin Mikail Staples

One of the first examples that really stood out to me — is Kanye Dating. While this may not have started as a community creator bit — it's grown because the creator, Harry Dry, leaned into the same tactics we all do to build community.

Now — I'm not encouraging every marketing team to go out and hire another Bart Simpson (please, god no), what I'm encouraging is that teams should know what makes them, them, and channel that. (in the world of marketing speak — that's your unique selling proposition)

At the end of the day — no matter WHO you are, most humans have the same emotional pull — we want to be heard, valued and loved.

Here's where the power of community comes in — community gives folks the space to be heard, valued, and dare I say geek out on together on a variety of topics. The cool thing? This can be a powerful tool towards bringing people together that you may not catch in the same space. Clay Shirky in his book, Cognitive Surplus, chats abut how Josh Groban attracts fans from grandmothers to teenage girls — all relating to the same goal.

Bringing together folks with different backgrounds and experience, building diverse communities, is essential towards building a better future. Later on in his book, Shirky also mentions the impact that your community can have on learning:

I've often said I'm bullish on community because of how it brings people together, to go somewhere, or accomplish something. It makes sure that folks are taking time to not only discover something for one another - but also practice empathy for your fellow humans.

So here's my question to you — how are you working to make sure that you are taking the time to educate others, and transmit knowledge. How are you, as the saying goes — sharing everything that you know?

Meme creators leverage the same power when creating a meme —

Meme creators leverage

The Superfan:

The Cohort Creator:

The Exclusive Access: