This episode is not a mastermind discussion. I've edited down a presentation we had with Seth Resler about building Community.

Building Community is not necessarily something a Podcast Editor does, but this could be another feather in your skillz cap.

For example: Many of Steve Stewart's clients aren't creating podcasts for ad revenue - they're building their brand and a community behind their niche or their mission. Success is found there!

At the end, Steve Stewart shares how community changes his life and opened the door to a new career in a medium we all love!

Key moments:

(00:00) From Audience to Community

(01:46) The ROI Challenge in Podcasting

(08:33) Secret #1: Rules Are Different for Community vs Audience

(17:17) Secret #2: The right 100 people beats the wrong 10,000

(24:42) Secret #3: Community is more sustainable than Audience

(39:14) Join Podcast Editor Communities

Core Lessons:

• Distinguish between audience and community. An audience consumes content one-way, while a community fosters peer-to-peer relationships within a shared space.
• Prioritize the right members over large numbers. Thoughtful exclusion ensures the group remains aligned with a specific mission, increasing the value of every interaction.
• Create a container, not just an engine. Build a space where members contribute and support one another, reducing the creator’s burden to constantly produce new content.
• Focus on ROI through community-led revenue. Direct monetization includes charging for access or connecting sponsors with a niche group, while indirect benefits include better retention and product insights.
• Avoid community vanity. Only build a community when a clear mission exists that benefits the members, rather than simply checking a box for growth metrics.

Resource:

• Seth's 5-day challenge http://communityroadmapchallenge.com