Don't be mad at me for how short this post is. I'm being a little serious but I'm not joking at all.

The ONE rule you can follow when making decisions about your online community is:

See this handy flowchart below. It hasn't let me down yet.

Keep reading for silly examples and hopefully a laugh or two.

You're thinking of hosting a virtual happy hour with your online triathlon community. If you knew this same group of people in real life and hung out with them every weekend to train and swap tips, would you invite them for alcohol and fries as a social gathering?

(The answer can totally be yes if your triathlon club likes to take a break from their nutritionally intense lives — only you know the answer. Reference the flowchart for confirmation.)

In your real lives, you're saving polar bears in the Arctic. (How? Please tell me!) Do you send everyone brand-new sweatshirts that say "I'm conserving nature"? (The answer is NO, in case you're unsure. Nature conservation leaders are fighting against fast fashion)

Ooorrr... could you send them books from a secondhand bookstore? Which would you do in real life?

Yeah fine the first two examples were just so I could be extra-snarky with this one.

Would you gather your friends and family around the dinner table just to sell them your product? Yes! If you're a multi-level-marketing participant or a cult leader, sure. But NO!! !! if you are there to really connect with your loved ones.

So, dear tech bros, if you're thinking about community as a marketing tool, I hope this flowchart makes your decision-making process easier.

Much love 🐻‍❄️❤️