Hi Reader,

When it comes to online communities...the retention (aka the Money) is in the connection.

And what's one of the fastest and most powerful ways to help your members connect with eachother?

Sharing elephants!! 🐘

What the what now Diana?

I know, it sounds weird, but stay with me for a mo Reader...

Your members are showing up in your membership community and focusing on the topic at hand; children's book illustration, publicity, dog training, professional networking, parenting, pottery...

They show up and focus on that topic...and at the same time...life is happening all around them.

Issues at work, at home, with family and friends. Their relationships, their health, their finances.

All of the things that people are going through, but not sharing...

Those are their elephants.
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The "Elephant in the room" so to speak.

And wanna know what happens when you create an opportunity for someone to share one of their elephants in the safe and understanding context of your membership community?
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Magic happens.

Ok...it's ain't magic but it IS something beautiful.

Connection.

You see, right now I have a lot of elephants in my life...that I am not really sharing with anyone. Let me share a couple...

Elephant #1: I F'ed up my ankles

15 years ago I fell down a flight of stairs and had a 3rd degree strain...that didn't heal properly...so my left ankle has been compensating for it (for over a decade) and long story short...a month ago my left ankle went on strike.

It was extremely painful and I could barely walk.

So I started physio, and have been going 2-3x a week ever since.

I'm slowly recovering (thank goodness) but it's frustrating and scary too. Scary to think that I couldn't move my big toe a month ago or walk properly because I had nerve damage as well.

Elephant #2: I want to create Art this year

I've ALWAYS wanted to be an artist, ever since I could remember.

As a kid I drew all the time and loved it.

As I got older though, I got fed the message (you can't make money as an artist) and I slowly stopped drawing/creating art.

This past Nov I turned 40 though and I started wondering what the hell would happen if I actually gave it a shot.

If I actually created art on a daily basis and took everything I've learned about online business over the past 8 years and applied it to my own Art.

Soooo...I decided I was going to "take it easy" in 2023 in terms of my Community Strategy and Management business to create space for a bit of a sabbatical (I'm still taking on unicorn clients who want to work with me 1on1 though).

Where was I? Oh yes...ART.

So what have I been up to so far?

• I signed up for a year of art school online (Lilla Rogers' Year of Art School, makeartthatsells.com).
• I was gifted a year of 21-draw courses (yay),
• I signed up for a weekly pottery class
• I'm setting up my own POD shop (POD = Print On Demand) so that I can create and sell Dave the Unicorn Swag.

Along with each of those bullets comes some insecurities and worries.

• Have I taken on too much?
• Can I really do it all?
• What if I burn myself out (AGAIN)?

I could share elephants all day long...

but I think you get the idea.

What happened when you read my elephants?

• Did they remind you of something you're experiencing or feeling yourself?
• Have you needed physio for an injury?
• Have you had a dream that you've always wanted to make happen but never have taken action on?

As you read my elephants it likely made you think of your own experiences or those of people you know. Maybe you wanted to share your experience, or offer advice or simply show support.

That's the power of elephants and people sharing them...they allow your members to connect.

With you (when you share your elephants) and even more importantly with other members (when your members share their elephants).

How to Help Your Members Share their Elephants in your Membership Community​
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Grab a pen and journal/open a Google doc and ask yourself the following 5 questions.

Consider asking your members as well. (Bonus points if you share some of your answers with your members as well).

1. What feels heavy for you today? What about it feels heavy?
2. How's your energy level today? What gives you energy? What takes energy away?
3. What's one nice thing you could do for yourself today? What's one nice thing you could do for a fellow member today?
4. What do you find yourself worrying about recently?
5. What dream have you had for a long time? What's one action you could take today to get you one step closer to making it happen.

Note...this is so much more than an "engagement tactic".

It's an opportunity for CONNECTION and what a gift that can be for anyone who is feeling alone...with their elephants.

So create that opportunity...

• For you to share your elephants with your members.
• For your members to share their elephants with you.
• For your members to share their elephants with eachother.

And isn't that really what Community is all about?

A place for us to share our experience, worries, emotions, and fears?

So, if you're not sure what to do in your community today...

Create space for people to share their elephants. :)

Hugs and burgers,
Diana

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PS: Hit reply and share one of your elephants with me. I'd love to know.

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PPS: If you'd like to work with me 1on1 I'm opening up one more spot for 1on1 client work. That might be weekly Community Strategy sessions, Training you or your Community Manager in the art of Community Management, or serving as your personal Community Advisor. If you'd like to learn more, fill out this application here so I can see if we're a good fit.​