Why you need to find your community ASAP, no matter what niche you’re in

I started down the path of personal development several years ago, but it wasn’t until I decided to go after the dream of becoming a published author that some of the messages from the training I attended really stuck. 

Frequently, there is talk about community. Finding your community… building your community… 

I never really understood what that phrase meant until I was in the trenches of writing a book, trying to figure out how to go about editing, querying, and just getting the message out there that I was now a writer.

I still am not a published author, but at this point, it feels like it’s just a matter of time. Over the past two years, I’ve been slowly growing my community. This community might never actually buy my books, but they have been supporting me and helping me along my path to achieving my dream, and I’m extremely grateful to have found them.

Although, I have to add – I feel like I’ll never be finished building my community. 

I continue to meet more people on a regular basis that join it. And the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I have more than one community I’m building. That’s why I think it is extremely important to start building your community today, no matter what niche you are in. The community (or communities) will grow and evolve as you do.

If you still aren’t convinced, here are the top 3 reasons I feel it’s important to start today based on what I’ve learned from building (and continuing to build) my community.

Reason #1: You feel understood

When you are starting down a new path, it isn’t always easy. New obstacles come up along the way, whether it’s finding a sitter for your kids, trying to work with a business that only is open during your day-job hours, or even just finding the mental strength to keep pushing through.

A new dream is shiny and spectacular, but when you want to make it into a reality, you need to be willing to put in the work. I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, but it has definitely been more fulfilling since I’ve found others that are in the trenches like me. 

For example, I attended my first Facilitated Writer’s Retreat in April. It was such an eye-opening experience. I had met with other writers before through various virtual events, but at this particular in-person event, I was surrounded by women writers, many of which were moms in one way or another. The entire weekend was spent writing, talking about writing, as well as talking about the importance of self care when trying to work, write, and be a full-time mom.

I have never felt more understood than that weekend in that room with those fabulous women. Now we have all agreed to meet on a monthly basis to keep up with each others work, maybe do some writing, but definitely just talk about the obstacles that come with being a writer and a full-time mom at the same time.

These women are mostly poets, and I don’t know that they like the horror genre, so they may never read my books. That doesn’t matter. The common struggles that we all face, no matter what kind of writer we are, is what pulls us together and keeps us going.

Reason #2: You won’t feel alone anymore

We all know that feeling. Or at least most of us do. 

When you’re working really hard at learning something new, and you’re trying to do it on your own – it can be a lonely, sad journey.

I found that especially true with writing at first. Writing is such a solo journey really. At least, if you don’t work at finding other writers to talk to, it can be. You spend hours in front of a computer screen (or notebook if you are the old pen and paper type), trying to make a certain word count or get through a specific project. There is no one sitting beside you talking you through it. We aren’t in high school anymore, so no teacher is demanding a deadline.

I felt very alone at first. Especially since I’m not trained in creative writing, I could never figure out if what I wrote made sense. I didn’t know if the structure was right, or if the flow was the right pace. All these concepts were completely foreign to me. I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and spent many days avoiding writing because I just didn’t know what I was doing.

Then I joined a provincial writing guild, which led me to start meeting other writers. I started working with a writer-in-residence and she helped me start looking at plot and sentence structure. I also joined the Horror Writer’s Association, which has led me to meet a mentor who is helping me with flow and character arc. Not to mention, he has introduced me to a virtual writing critique group, which has also been a fascinating learning experience.

To go away from the writing example, let’s talk about paranormal research. I felt like I was the only one doing it in Saskatchewan. I felt like a bit of a freak – my interest in the paranormal isn’t something for everyone. And yet, once I started to make the content and reach out into the community, I found others with the same interest. 

I have started building a small community online (since we live in different cities), and it has been great to talk about paranormal experiences, equipment, and just in general talk about ghosts with a group of people that find it as exciting as I do.

I no longer feel alone. I have people now in both my writing and paranormal worlds. I have people to send content to in order to see what they think. I have people to share stories or bounce ideas with. 

All in all, I feel less like a lone wolf trying to find my way through the desert. 

Not to mention, I now have a group of people that may be going to the events I want to go to. Now I don’t necessarily have to go to them alone. I may be able to meet others there that I know through my community, or my community may know someone that is attending and is happy to introduce us.

Reason #3: You’ll have access to more resources, which reduces how hard you have to work

Another great reason to find a community has to do with the collected knowledge that the community brings. You can’t know everything – I think we all know that. This is especially true when you’re starting something that is brand new to you.

However, it doesn’t have to be so hard. You aren’t the first person going down this path. It may not look exactly like your path, but there is someone out there that has already traversed a similar one. By building a community of others in the same niche as you, you’ll find that the collective knowledge that comes from that community is extremely helpful.

This has been something that I’ve learned in both my writing and paranormal communities, and I’m sure it would apply to even more. I’ve been introduced to books, people, and websites that I might have ever known about before if I didn’t have my community. If you build your community right, you’ll have a group that is happy to share tips, tricks, and resources that they’ve come across to help them overcome an obstacle or move faster down the path they are on (just make sure you remember to share your own knowledge as well!).

That is also why I have built my blog on my website. As I navigate down these paths to becoming a horror writer, paranormal researcher, and finding my authenticity as a working-from-home mom, I hope to share what I find with all of you! I want to continue to build my community, and if the books I’ve read or the events that I have attended have a lesson that can help someone else on a similar path, then I’m happy to share it. 

If you’re interested in ways that you can build your community, subscribe to my monthly newsletter or follow me on one of my social accounts! I will be sharing some tips for building your community soon!

Whether you’re trying to find other moms, are working towards building the life of your dreams, or you are just a productivity-hack fanatic, finding a community that fits your niche is an important step in obtaining your goal. Not only will having people working on the same goals help you find resources to do so faster, but you’ll also meet some great people along the way.

You’ll increase your chances of staying on the path, as you’ll find support and motivation to keep trying when you fall. You may even make some new life-long friendships (or maybe you’ll even meet a significant other if you are looking for that)!

All in all, I think there are too many reasons to list. The importance of community in any area is important. We are social creatures after all – even those of us that like quiet, smaller crowds would do well finding others that have similar tastes. 

So – get out there, meet some people, and build your community around you. Just remember to serve your community as much (or more!) as they serve you, so that everyone is benefiting.