index 8b4344b..e23bc3d 100644
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ visibility: public-edit
# online community building
-building community in digital spaces is a different game than IRL. the tools are different, the failure modes are different, and the bar for what "connection" means is lower. but online communities can be powerful — especially as a complement to in-person gatherings.
+[[building-community|building community]] in digital spaces is a different game than IRL. the tools are different, the failure modes are different, and the bar for what "connection" means is lower. but online communities can be powerful — especially as a complement to in-person gatherings.
---
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ discord is the default platform for builder/creator communities. it's flexible,
add channels only when an existing channel has too much volume on a specific topic.
-**daily or weekly prompts.** a scheduled message that asks a question: "what are you working on this week?" or "what's one thing you learned recently?" gives people a low-barrier reason to post. the first few weeks, the organizer answers their own prompts to model participation.
+**daily or weekly prompts.** a scheduled message that asks a question: "what are you working on this week?" or "what's one thing you learned recently?" — these are digital [[icebreakers]] gives people a low-barrier reason to post. the first few weeks, the organizer answers their own prompts to model participation.
-**voice channels used regularly.** text-only communities feel transactional. schedule a weekly "open office hours" or "co-working voice channel" where people drop in and work together with mics on. the ambient presence of other people working is powerful.
+**voice channels used regularly.** text-only communities feel transactional. schedule a weekly "open office hours" or "co-working voice channel" — adapting [[event-formats|IRL event formats]] to digital where people drop in and work together with mics on. the ambient presence of other people working is powerful.
**roles that mean something.** don't create 15 vanity roles. roles should indicate something useful: what someone's working on, what they can help with, whether they're a new or established member.
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ twitter isn't a "community platform" in the traditional sense, but some of the s
**the small group DM.** twitter group DMs of 5-15 people are some of the tightest communities online. they're invite-only, high-trust, and often more honest than any public conversation.
-**building in public.** sharing your work, learnings, and failures publicly attracts people on a similar path. "here's what i built this week" tweets create a breadcrumb trail that like-minded people follow.
+**building in public.** sharing your work, learnings, and failures publicly attracts people on a similar path. public work leads to organic [[introductions]]. "here's what i built this week" tweets create a breadcrumb trail that like-minded people follow.
### what doesn't work
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ twitter isn't a "community platform" in the traditional sense, but some of the s
## online + IRL: the hybrid model
-the strongest communities have both an online and in-person presence. the online space keeps the community alive between events. the in-person events create the depth that online can't.
+the strongest communities have both an online and in-person presence. the online space keeps the community alive between events — a form of [[relationship-maintenance]] at scale. the in-person events create the depth that online can't.
**the pattern:**
- IRL events create the foundation of trust and shared experience
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ clear rules published upfront (3-5 rules max), consistent enforcement, and a cul
## platform dependency
-building your community entirely on someone else's platform means you're one policy change away from losing everything. own an email list. have a backup communication channel. the community is the people, not the tool.
+building your community entirely on someone else's platform means you're one policy change away from losing everything. own an email list. have a backup communication channel. the community is the people, not the tool. see [[books-resources]] for deeper thinking on gathering design.
---