Why Community is Key for Content Creators

A brief overview to building a fan community.

Keep your fans close:

You, dear creator, may believe that all you must feasibly do to maximize fan engagement is to create, post, and call it a day—that is only half the battle. For anyone starting their content journey, there is one irrefutable fact that all creators must live by: creators are nothing without their community of fans. Your community will want to spread the word and hype. They will want to see you succeed and reach greater creative heights, and as you engage with them and get to know their opinions and criticisms, you will learn from them. Learn new tricks, methods, and approaches to make the best content you can produce. The creator economy ultimately lives and dies by fan engagement. As the sole creative, it is your responsibility to keep engagement high.

Your fanbase and community are the same; they are extensions of your influence and passion. However, word of mouth isn't enough to cut it in the digital age. As you grow your outreach and influence and develop your new opus, it is vital to include your audience, i.e., your community, as part of that journey.

Your community will want to spread the word and hype. They will want to see you succeed and reach greater creative heights, and as you engage with them and get to know their opinions and criticisms, you will learn from them. Learn new tricks, methods, and approaches to make the best content you can produce. The creator economy ultimately lives and dies by fan engagement. As the sole creative, it is your responsibility to keep engagement high.

How to start:

All that said, growing a community from scratch is an ARDUOUS task, especially for newbies. Time is our best and most valuable resource; managing it effectively is key to growing as a content creator. It may seem overwhelming, and you may find yourself burned out often, but we're here to help. Remember—

Communication is key:

Frequent communication with your followers through social media is the foundation of your fan base. There's no pressure to post every day; you will always need time to yourself, but you should always keep a schedule handy so that your followers will stay engaged and you can remain consistent. Update them on an ongoing project, talk about something cool you like, or tell them a story; they will be there for it. Engaging directly with your followers and other creators through social media is the starting point. Millions of people across multiple platforms are waiting to follow you and see what you make. That's why, down the line, you should consider—

Creating a server:

Whether it's Discord or Reddit, it's essential to keep all of your followers in one place. Having a server or hub will make it easier for you to engage with them more personally. It also comes with the benefit of not having to spread your time and attention across multiple social media platforms. Your server is your community's hub; if you feel you can't moderate it, ask one of your followers or hire a community manager. Once you have a sizeable community, then—

Provide them with methods to support you directly:

Unfortunately, money makes the world go round, and you'll need it if you want your work to be the best it can be. You may feel initially guilty about asking your fans for donations, contributions, or subscriptions, but if they genuinely love the work that you do, then there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Your efforts will sell themselves and having some extra income to create your content more comfortably, hire extra help, provide your community with fun bonuses, or make some merchandise is the icing atop your content cake. Don't be shy about directing them to your Wallafan account, and most importantly, keep your prices reasonable. Remember that your community isn't there to simply make you successful; they're there to see you grow as a creator and engage with other like-minded individuals. If you're ready to take your content creation game to the next level, start by creating your own hub, and don't forget to check out Wallafan for direct support options. Your fans want to see you go the distance—make it count!

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About the Author:

Giovan ‘Giovangelux’ Santiago is a freelance writer, actor, and social media manager who has written taglines and sales copy for multiple indie game studios and start-up businesses. He currently works as a copywriter and media manager for Wallafan, when he’s not doing that, he plays games and works to become a published author.