· Club
Inviting your first members: quality over speed
Starting a community is tempting to rush. You set it up, hit publish, and hope people flood in. That rarely works. Your first members shape everything—the tone, what gets talked about, who feels welcome next. Here's what actually works: - Invite people who already know and trust you. Not strangers, not a big list. Start with 5 to 10 people who've shown real interest in what you're building. - Pick a mix: at least one person who will jump in and comment early (they set the tone), a few thoughtful folks who ask good questions, and maybe one person who'll disagree respectfully (healthy communities need that). - Tell them what you're doing before they arrive. Send a message: "I'm starting a community about X. I'd love for you to be here from day one and help shape it. Here's what I'm planning." Give them context, not just a link. - Have one post ready when they join—not a welcome speech, something real. A question, a lesson, a story. Show them what the community is actually for. - Reply to every single comment in week one. Make it clear you're there, you're reading, you care. Your first members become your culture. Slow and intentional beats fast and random every time. What's one thing you'd want your first community members to know about you or your vision?