David Spinks' Newsletter

David Spinks' Newsletter focuses on the intricacies of community building, offering insights on starting, managing, and growing communities. It covers topics from practical advice on community engagement, leadership, and differentiation, to personal reflections on work-life balance and business strategy as a solopreneur.

Community Building Leadership and Management Business Strategy Personal Development Work-Life Balance Networking and Relationships Meeting Management Content Creation

The hottest Substack posts of David Spinks' Newsletter

And their main takeaways

A Letter from the Abyss

15 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24

Being in the 'abyss' involves moments of surrender, introspection, and deep self-discovery, often triggered by significant life changes or challenges.
Navigating the 'neutral zone' can lead to profound psychological realignments and transformations as individuals transition from the old to the new.
Embracing the 'abyss' allows for exploration of personal 'enoughness' and the importance of inner work, leading to a deeper sense of balance and peace in life.

How to Find your Community Wedge

10 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23

💼 Business Community

Starting a unique community in a crowded market is still worth it.
Communities provide benefits of connection, consumption, and creation that can evolve over time.
To differentiate your community, focus on size, benefits, flavor, identity, and format.

I’m baaaaaaack

14 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23

💼 Business Entrepreneurship Writing Consulting Community Building Career development

The author is back from parental leave and feeling excited to return to work.
During the author's leave, they focused on writing, consulting, and building their business.
The author plans to maintain a daily writing habit, continue consulting, and grow their Talent Collective.

Should you ditch your community job title?

12 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23

💼 Business Career Marketing Community Strategy Management

Your job title doesn't define you as a community builder.
Community can drive business success in various roles, not just community-focused ones.
Changing your job title won't change how your work is perceived; focus on showing tangible business results.

Find the Turpentine

8 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23

💼 Business Community Building

Focus on practice over purpose when building a community.
Ensure that your community addresses specific, practical problems of its members.
Identify the 'turpentine' of your community by understanding what engages your members deeply.

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The 11 Pillars of My Community Philosophy

9 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23

💼 Business Community Building Career transition Relationships

Communities are defined by who doesn’t belong
You can’t convince people to do anything, focus on activating those who are already convinced
You need leader-community fit, authenticity matters in community building

You Shouldn't Start a Community

8 implied HN points • 23 May 23

💼 Business Community Entrepreneurship Marketing Management Career development

Building a community is a massive amount of work and takes 10x more time than expected.
Measuring the success and impact of a community is challenging as it is removed from revenue.
Creating and managing a community involves dealing with various challenges like content creation, conflict management, and difficult decisions.

Behind the Scenes: A Look Into My Life and Business as a Solopreneur

7 implied HN points • 02 May 23

💼 Business Entrepreneurship Revenue growth Consulting Marketing Operations

Writing out thoughts can provide perspective and help others feel less alone.
Balancing focus on different audience types and considering revenue sources are key in business growth.
Consistency, quality content, and strategic promotion are essential for newsletter growth.

Go Ahead, Be Bossy

7 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23

💼 Business Community Building Facilitation Instruction Online Communities Job Opportunities

In community settings, being specific and giving clear instructions is valuable for members.
Facilitators should guide various aspects such as introductions, participation, and discussion management.
Being bossy in a community setting is about providing direction and adding value without being overbearing.

How to Hire your Next Community Lead

6 implied HN points • 09 May 23

💼 Business Hiring Community Recruiting Interviewing

Hiring for community roles can be challenging if you lack experience in the field.
Finding the right balance of passion and experience is crucial when hiring for a community lead.
Be open to candidates from diverse backgrounds and prioritize clear communication in job descriptions.

Ten True Regulars

6 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23

💼 Business Community Building Engagement Membership Scaling Inclusion

To build a successful community, focus on having ten true regulars instead of 1,000 fans.
Only a small percentage of members will actively participate in a community.
Starting with three active members can help build a strong foundation for a thriving community.

The Art of Earning Favors

5 implied HN points • 30 May 23

💼 Business Networking Community Building Relationships Personal Growth Transparency

Building a community involves people doing each other favors.
To earn favors, help people and build trust to eventually ask for help in return.
Networking is about creating great work, helping others at similar stages, and participating in intimate spaces.

How to Activate your Community for Impact

5 implied HN points • 16 May 23

💼 Business Community Building Employee engagement

Invest in activating your community for impact to provide unique value to members and deepen commitment.
Consider utilizing the PACT model to determine how your community can impact: Product, Advocacy, Contributions, or Time.
Transform community engagement into action by starting small, evolving based on feedback, setting clear boundaries, and celebrating community through storytelling.

10x your Meeting Productivity with this Simple Framework from the CEO of Twitch

5 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23

💼 Business Productivity Management Communication Feedback Networking

Use a simple framework in meetings to communicate effectively.
When seeking feedback, come prepared with your own point of view.
Apply the framework in emails, community posts, or any feedback-seeking situations.

How I Reduced Scheduled Meetings by 90%

4 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23

💼 Business Productivity Meetings Entrepreneurship Communication Work-life balance

Meetings can be reduced significantly by implementing a Calendar Defense System.
Defer meetings to text communication whenever possible to maintain flexibility in your schedule.
If a call is necessary, be extremely efficient and intentional about the purpose and agenda.

The Rise of Virtual Communities

4 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23

🕹 Technology Community Building Internet culture Social Networks

Virtual communities hold rich history and insights for community builders today.
Successful community builders focus on technology and convening people.
Building deep connections and fostering engagement are essential for growing communities.