The Difference Between an Audience and a Community

Understanding the difference between an audience and a community is crucial for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact. Many people focus on building an audience, but the true power lies in fostering a community. Here's why:

What is an Audience?

An audience is a group of people who are there to be entertained. They come to see a performance, to be shocked, amused, or informed. Building an audience is relatively easy in today's world. There are countless ways to do it:

• Buying Audiences: You can invest in ads and promotions to grow your follower count.
• Create Shocking or Controversial Content: These strategies can quickly grab attention and build numbers, but they are not sustainable.
• Monetizing: There are many ways to monetize an audience, from advertising to direct sales.

The beauty of an audience is that you can build one quickly. If your goal is to entertain and monetize, building an audience might be your path. However, this isn't my objective.

What is a Community?

A community is fundamentally different. It consists of people with like minds, like hearts, and like hands. These individuals are not just passive observers; they actively want to help each other and know people who can help them. A community thrives on mutual support and engagement.

From the beginning of my online content journey in 2015, my friend and mentor Gary Vaynerchuk instilled in me the value of building a community. His question, "What would you do with your social media brand?" made me realize the importance of fostering a community over merely entertaining an audience.

Building a community is a long-term investment. My approach is simple: start with just two people in the first year. If each of those two people brings in two more people every year, the growth becomes exponential. And if you stay consistent, in 20 years you'll have a loyal community of people who will buy from you and sell for you, forever.

Why a Community is More Valuable

• Engagement: Members of a community engage with each other. They help, support, and uplift one another.
• Loyalty: Communities foster deeper loyalty. People in a community are there because they care about the same things.
• Monetization: It's easier and more sustainable to monetize a community because the relationships are stronger. People are more willing to buy from, sell to, and support each other.

Imagine an audience as a stadium full of spectators watching a game. They're there for the entertainment, but once the game is over, they leave. In contrast, a community is like a tight-knit neighborhood. Neighbors know each other, help each other, and build lasting relationships. When one neighbor is in need, others step in to support.

In a world where building an audience is easier than ever, the true value lies in creating a community. A community of like minds, like hearts, and like hands that grow and thrive on mutual support and engagement. It’s about building connections that matter, not just performing for spectators. So, as you continue on your journey, ask yourself "do I want to entertain, or do I want to thrive"?