I am afraid to answer this question.
It’s no secret that we (@teamblab) like jumping into your Blabs.
If you ping me, I’ll show up. If you don’t, I’ll show up anyways.
People ask us lots of questions when we are on Blab. Only one question scares me:
“Is Blab a crowd, or a community?”
Crowd vs. Community.
The difference between the two comes down to 4 questions:
- Do people care about each other’s well being?
- How likely are you to see the same people again?
- Is something for sale?
- Who welcomes new members?
Here’s an analogy that makes it more real: Concerts vs. Campfires.
At a concert, you don’t know others in the crowd. You don’t need to. You’re there for the artist, and they are there for you. You may never see the rest of the people in the crowd ever again. You push and shove each other for the best view. You pay for tickets to support the artist. Ushers and security welcome you to the venue.
At a bonfire, you know some of the people, and will meet several more. You make room so people can all fit around the warmth of the fire. You chip in a few bucks to help pay for food & drinks. Friends of friends welcome guests into the party.
I know it sounds like one is good and the other is bad, but that’s not the case. Concerts are fun. Bonfires are fun.
In a community, you care about fellow members well being. In a crowd, you push and shove your way to the front.
In a community, you’re likely to see the same people again, so you get to know them. In a crowd, it’s rare to bump into the same people next time.
In a community, you exchange items & ideas, in a crowd, the artist creates, the crowd pays to consume.
In a community, members welcome new members, making them feel like they belong. In a crowd, hired ushers & security guards escort you to your designated seat.
Most companies say they have a community, but they really have a crowd. And they WANT a crowd.
Youtube is a crowd. The talent is on stage. The audience watches namelessly. Fans fight for attention in the comments. Trolls shout, because they have nothing to lose. Nobody’s listening to them anyways.
So, what’s it going to be, community or crowd?
