Implementing Your Curiosity: A Step-by-Step Framework

Curiosity is the foundation of successful communities. Many people mistakenly believe that expertise is necessary, but in reality, passion and a willingness to explore and share information are what truly matter. By becoming a valuable resource and source of knowledge, you can create a vibrant community around your interests.

Imagine being like an Amazon review that comes to life, ready to answer any question and provide insight. That's the kind of resource you can become for others who share your interests.

Starting with curiosity is crucial, as running a community requires daily engagement and the ability to create and share content consistently.

Aligning your incentives is also important. If you're not motivated solely by financial gain, genuine curiosity and passion for your topic will keep you committed and driven.

This isn't just about following your passion; there are real business opportunities that stem from curiosity and can provide a high return on investment for both the creator and the community.

Look at individuals like Steph Smith, who leverages her passion for data and spreadsheets to create unique content for like-minded individuals. Consider the "My First Million" podcast, where hosts uncover business ideas and speak with experts, leaving listeners inspired and full of new ideas. Or Shane Parrish, who deconstructs the skills of leaders and business owners, providing valuable insights to his audience.

In all of these examples, the protagonist possesses genuine curiosity and passion for their topic, and they structure their work to bring joy to themselves and value to their audience. This is the key to success in building a community.

How to Actually Build

To put this into action, here are six steps someone interested in a particular topic could take to grow a successful community-based business.

Say your interest lies in homemade crafts. Here's how you might apply these steps:

Step 1: You realize that you love making and talking about homemade crafts, from knitting to woodworking.

Step 2: You find your people online and start crafting alongside them. You share ideas and learn, building relationships.

Step 3: You set up a Facebook group. Call it "Crafty Creations: A Homemade Crafts Community." Because, crafts.

Step 4: You post a warm welcome message and share pictures of your latest project, asking members to share theirs.

Step 5: As members post their crafts, you make it a point to comment on each one, asking questions and praising their work.

Step 6: You organize a virtual workshop on a unique crafting technique you've mastered, offering it for free to your community members.

Step 7: When your group reaches 100 members, you celebrate by hosting a virtual show-and-tell where members can showcase their favorite projects.

Step 7: To keep things exciting, you introduce a monthly challenge with a theme, like "Eco-Friendly Crafts," encouraging members to think creatively and share their projects.

Steps 8+: You can decide to monetize workshops, or membership, or something else super crafty. It's up to you!

The Final Word

By following your curiosity and leveraging it to build a community, you're not just sharing your passion; you're creating a space where others can explore, learn, and grow together. Remember, the most vibrant communities are those where the excitement and engagement are mutual. Dive in, have fun, and watch your community flourish!