I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Sustenance is one of the best investments of my whole life. Not only did it help me create my consistent writer’s life, I’ve also been published, and created true friendships with people who I adore. And learning from some of my actual writing heroes is such a thrill! I pulled together some of my fave writerly advice from some of those workshops last year: https://open.substack.com/pub/jordansheapage/p/years-worth-of-life-advice-for-writers?r=1qh4lt&utm_medium=ios
I agree with Sheila, I love the way you combine creativity and business with such strong business ethics. I'm looking to pivot to a community-based business and need to refine my offer and message. Do you think joining Tom Ross’s Learn-Community could help?
I love this Joy - I’m so curious to know - when you figured out those clear needs from your members how did you also include yourself in the needs? I find so many communities do a lot for others but the primary community builder gets tired and burnt out since it ultimately doesn’t support them. I know sustenance creates a feedback loop for you but being able to stay true to your vision while aligning with audience’s needs is such a level 300 dance.
Can you share a bit more about that aspect of your approach to community?
I love this question. Yes, I did include myself in those needs. I think Sustenance is sustainable because I learn so much also. As a writer myself, it truly feeds me. My writing has dramatically improved since learning from all our guest speakers and from other community members. I often find myself wishing I could bring my OWN work into our feedback circles (lol). When I built Sustenance, I basically made the thing I wish I'd had both before and after my masters program.
I think you're on to something-- sustainable communities must appeal to their best-fit members but their founder should be pretty obsessed with the topic too. xx
Perhaps too granular for a followup question and comment conversation but this made me wonder - do you think you could have built a strong community without your mfa and loads of experience? For instance, I’ve been talking to friends who are in social change work and wanting to write and use their voice more. I would love to build a community around this for myself and for them. But it would be silly of me to think I could do editing sessions with them since I’m not more expert than the group I’m gathering necessarily, though there’s plenty of shared support we could provide to each other. One of the magic pieces of sustenance seems (to me) to be the mix of expertise levels and the guidance coming from folks (you and the other teachers) who are masters of the craft! I wonder if that’s possible if the community leader is more one with the audience rather than a teacher.
Hi, this is a really good question and one I'd be happy to chat with you more about. My thought is that it comes down to framing and promised transformation. Maybe you can't promise members that you'll help them transform their writing practice (if you don't feel that's your expertise), but you could promise support for other areas of your expertise, (for example and I'm just riffing here) how to use language to mobilize, create communities invested in social justice, and how poetry is a catalyst for activism. Your offer could include supportive community, peer feedback, and weekly discussion.
You have phenomenal and distinct expertise and qualifications. You'd just want your transformation/community offer to highlight that specifically. Does that make sense?
I really appreciate this article as well as the other one you wrote in the business side of things. It’s easy in artsy communities to feel like that kind of thing has to be kept under a blanket, but it’s SO valuable to see what others are doing.
Thank you, Joy. This is deeply helpful for me as someone who has been tentatively growing a writing community over the last year and would love to take it further in a way that is sustainable. You've given me much to think about ❤️
Thank you for this (and for making it freely available)!
I run a virtual meditation community for neurodivergent artists and live experiences/connection is the heart of our space too. I’m two years in and feeling like I need to shift some things around and I’m excited to sit with what you’ve shared and play with it.
Hi Michelle! It depends on a few factors like the size of your waitlist/network, any past iterations, and the offer. I personally like committing to a smaller container before offering a larger one if it's my first time :)
That’s helpful! I’ve been doing 1:1 coaching for a few years plus free webinars. I have 1k followers on substack & 6k+ on Instagram. With that in mind, what would you say?
Personally, I would survey my audience and see which timeframe they were most attracted to and willing to pay for. If you're unsure a 3 month container will fill, I'd start with a month offer and/or build a waitlist to gauge interest for a larger one.
ayyy! I love this thread, Joy!! To write from your skin, and about your weird insecurities, and loneliness are my personal favs!! <3 I'm curious, how do you approach building a diverse and inclusive community together in one beautiful space??
Let me know what questions you have about community building and I'll answer them here! xx
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Sustenance is one of the best investments of my whole life. Not only did it help me create my consistent writer’s life, I’ve also been published, and created true friendships with people who I adore. And learning from some of my actual writing heroes is such a thrill! I pulled together some of my fave writerly advice from some of those workshops last year: https://open.substack.com/pub/jordansheapage/p/years-worth-of-life-advice-for-writers?r=1qh4lt&utm_medium=ios
Thank you, Joy! ❤️
We love having you Jordan! And your linked post is SO GOOD. Thank you for capturing and compiling all the wisdom!
I agree with Sheila, I love the way you combine creativity and business with such strong business ethics. I'm looking to pivot to a community-based business and need to refine my offer and message. Do you think joining Tom Ross’s Learn-Community could help?
Yes, I highly recommend his community. :)
Thanks for your prompt response, Joy!!
Thanks for sharing all this. I love how you're a great artist, teacher AND business woman! You ROCK!
This is so kind of you to say, Sheila! xx
I love this Joy - I’m so curious to know - when you figured out those clear needs from your members how did you also include yourself in the needs? I find so many communities do a lot for others but the primary community builder gets tired and burnt out since it ultimately doesn’t support them. I know sustenance creates a feedback loop for you but being able to stay true to your vision while aligning with audience’s needs is such a level 300 dance.
Can you share a bit more about that aspect of your approach to community?
I love this question. Yes, I did include myself in those needs. I think Sustenance is sustainable because I learn so much also. As a writer myself, it truly feeds me. My writing has dramatically improved since learning from all our guest speakers and from other community members. I often find myself wishing I could bring my OWN work into our feedback circles (lol). When I built Sustenance, I basically made the thing I wish I'd had both before and after my masters program.
I think you're on to something-- sustainable communities must appeal to their best-fit members but their founder should be pretty obsessed with the topic too. xx
Perhaps too granular for a followup question and comment conversation but this made me wonder - do you think you could have built a strong community without your mfa and loads of experience? For instance, I’ve been talking to friends who are in social change work and wanting to write and use their voice more. I would love to build a community around this for myself and for them. But it would be silly of me to think I could do editing sessions with them since I’m not more expert than the group I’m gathering necessarily, though there’s plenty of shared support we could provide to each other. One of the magic pieces of sustenance seems (to me) to be the mix of expertise levels and the guidance coming from folks (you and the other teachers) who are masters of the craft! I wonder if that’s possible if the community leader is more one with the audience rather than a teacher.
Hi, this is a really good question and one I'd be happy to chat with you more about. My thought is that it comes down to framing and promised transformation. Maybe you can't promise members that you'll help them transform their writing practice (if you don't feel that's your expertise), but you could promise support for other areas of your expertise, (for example and I'm just riffing here) how to use language to mobilize, create communities invested in social justice, and how poetry is a catalyst for activism. Your offer could include supportive community, peer feedback, and weekly discussion.
You have phenomenal and distinct expertise and qualifications. You'd just want your transformation/community offer to highlight that specifically. Does that make sense?
Yes! Thank you!!
Love this question!! 🫶
I really appreciate this article as well as the other one you wrote in the business side of things. It’s easy in artsy communities to feel like that kind of thing has to be kept under a blanket, but it’s SO valuable to see what others are doing.
Thank you, Joy. This is deeply helpful for me as someone who has been tentatively growing a writing community over the last year and would love to take it further in a way that is sustainable. You've given me much to think about ❤️
Of course! I'm so glad it helped a little. Community building is complicated, beautiful, and overwhelming stuff.
Thank you for this post! I'm wondering (and sorry, if someone else already asked this) do you use a specific platform to host your community?
I use Circle and I'm a big fan. :)
Thank you for this (and for making it freely available)!
I run a virtual meditation community for neurodivergent artists and live experiences/connection is the heart of our space too. I’m two years in and feeling like I need to shift some things around and I’m excited to sit with what you’ve shared and play with it.
Grateful for your work! 🫶
I'm so happy something in here might help support the beautiful work you're doing!
Joy, this was so helpful! So would you suggest testing out a one month container for $230 (like you did) before building out a 3 month cohort?
Hi Michelle! It depends on a few factors like the size of your waitlist/network, any past iterations, and the offer. I personally like committing to a smaller container before offering a larger one if it's my first time :)
That’s helpful! I’ve been doing 1:1 coaching for a few years plus free webinars. I have 1k followers on substack & 6k+ on Instagram. With that in mind, what would you say?
Personally, I would survey my audience and see which timeframe they were most attracted to and willing to pay for. If you're unsure a 3 month container will fill, I'd start with a month offer and/or build a waitlist to gauge interest for a larger one.
Super helpful! Thanks!
ayyy! I love this thread, Joy!! To write from your skin, and about your weird insecurities, and loneliness are my personal favs!! <3 I'm curious, how do you approach building a diverse and inclusive community together in one beautiful space??
Great question! I try to support and foster this a couple of ways:
1. We have a spirit of culture of kindness and enthusiasm for each other's work. This is modeled in workshop and translated into small groups.
2. I offer discounted memberships for folks of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
3. I am mindful that I am doing my best to bring in a wide-range of voice and aesthetics as guest speakers.
4. I give feedback in the community, but we also have rotating "resident professors" who give feedback so I'm not the only person offering critiques.