How to Find your Community Wedge  ## Metadata - Author: [[David Spinks' Newsletter]] - Full Title: How to Find your Community Wedge - Category: #articles - Document Note: - #community - #growth - #product Author: David Spinks Source: Newsletter article Reference: https://feedly.com/i/entry/2y%2BjQT7qsea1%2B5l%2FdTY0k4IIDZcOJe9TC4oqKszC8sg%3D_1898cf2978f%3Aad26f%3A300d20de date created: 2025-08-22 00:00 # Title: How to Find Your Community Wedge ## Table of Contents: - 🔎 Overview of the “community wedge” concept (#overview-of-the-community-wedge-concept) - 🧭 Why wedges matter for community-led growth (#why-wedges-matter-for-community-led-growth) - 🧱 Elements of a strong wedge (ICP, job-to-be-done, proof of value) (#elements-of-a-strong-wedge-icp-job-to-be-done-proof-of-value) - 🧪 The wedge testing process (hypothesize, pilot, measure, iterate) (#the-wedge-testing-process-hypothesize-pilot-measure-iterate) - 🧰 Wedge formats (programs, spaces, rituals, content, challenges) (#wedge-formats-programs-spaces-rituals-content-challenges) - 📈 Metrics and signals of wedge fit (#metrics-and-signals-of-wedge-fit) - 🧩 Case patterns and examples (#case-patterns-and-examples) - ⚠️ Anti-patterns and failure modes (#anti-patterns-and-failure-modes) - 🧠 Operating principles for community builders (#operating-principles-for-community-builders) - 🗒️ Notes (#️-notes) - 📖 References (#-references) - 🗣️ Paraphrase (#-paraphrase) - 📰 Newsletter (#-newsletter) - ✅ Action Items (#-action-items) - 🧪 Hypotheses (#-hypotheses) - 📊 Methodology (#-methodology) - ❓ Questions (#-questions) - 🔮 Future Research (#-future-research) - 💡 Implications (#-implications) - 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment (#-learning-styles-assessment) - 📊 Accessibility Assessment (#-accessibility-assessment) - 🌍 DEIB Assessment (#-deib-assessment) - ✅ Logical validity (#-logical-validity) - 🔍 DARVO Analysis (#-darvo-analysis) - 🔍 SEO Evaluation (#-seo-evaluation) - 🎯 Conclusion (#-conclusion) ### References: - Spinks, D. “How to Find Your Community Wedge” (newsletter article) - Community-Led Growth literature and talks by David Spinks - Category design and wedge strategy concepts in product/market fit discourse Note: Direct timestamps are not available in the linked article view; section anchors above provide navigational “links” to the outline. ## 📝 Summary: The article explains the “community wedge” as a narrow, high-value entry point where a community program demonstrably solves a specific problem for a well-defined segment, creating leverage to expand into broader community impact and business goals. It outlines how to choose a precise ICP, align on a job-to-be-done, design a minimal but compelling community artifact (program/ritual/space), and validate with clear metrics before scaling. It warns against launching broad, unfocused communities and offers patterns for iterating toward community–market fit. ## 📖 Main Content: - Definition: A community wedge is a focused initiative that provides outsized value to a small, clearly defined group, creating traction and proof to expand. - Strategic role: Like a go-to-market wedge, it reduces scope and increases signal-to-noise, helping teams find repeatable engagement and outcomes. - Core elements: - ICP clarity: Who exactly is this for? Stage, role, industry, geography. - JTBD: What progress do they seek that community uniquely accelerates? - Value mechanic: The repeatable activity that delivers value (e.g., peer review, office hours, AMAs, cohort sprints). - Proof: Observable behavior change and outcomes attributable to the wedge. - Process: - Hypothesize wedges; run low-cost pilots; measure activation, retention, outcome deltas; iterate or kill. - Use qualitative depth interviews to detect non-obvious value loops. - Formats: Cohorts, mastermind circles, certification study groups, contributor onboarding cohorts, recurring rituals, challenge sprints, curated intros. - Metrics: Time-to-first-value, session attendance consistency, NPS/effort-reduction, referral rate, contribution rate, graduation to larger programs, business impact proxies (expansion, retention, product adoption). - Anti-patterns: “Everyone’s welcome” launches, vanity metrics (member count), content dumps without interaction design, scaling before proof. - Operating principles: Default to small; design for interactions not audiences; make commitment explicit; instrument experiments; publish learnings. ### 🗒️ Notes - Community wedge - Narrow, specific, high-utility entry point; used to earn the right to expand. - Avoids diffuse launches; creates evidence of fit. - ICP precision - Segment by role + stage (e.g., “WordPress plugin maintainers with 1–3 maintainers, <5K installs”). - Exclude to sharpen value. - JTBD alignment - Define progress statements: “Help me go from X to Y despite Z.” - Ensure community’s unique advantage: peers, accountability, curation. - Value mechanics - Examples: pair reviews, demo days, code clinics, RFC reading clubs. - Rituals beat one-off events; repeatability matters. - Validation metrics - TTFV under 7 days; 50%+ second-touch rate; 30%+ ritual retention across 4 weeks. - Outcome surveys tied to JTBD. - Expansion - Once fit is proven, add cohorts, broaden scope adjacent to initial ICP, replicate rituals. - Risks - Scaling too soon; confusing audience size with value density; misaligned incentives. ## 📖 References: - Spinks’ writings on community-led growth and community–market fit - Category design “wedge” strategies - Peer learning and cohort-based education research ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: - Original idea: Start small and specific to create undeniable value, then expand. - Paraphrase: Begin with a tightly scoped program serving a precise group where you can repeatedly deliver clear wins; use that traction as the springboard to broaden the community. - Original idea: Measure for proof before scaling. - Paraphrase: Treat early community programs like experiments—don’t grow them until data shows members reliably reach outcomes the program is designed to produce. ## 📰 Newsletter: This week we’re geeking out on learning web development the community-led way. Quick hits: - Learning: We’re publishing a refreshed roadmap for PHP, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Git, and GitHub—plus a “first pull request” mini-course to turn curiosity into real commits. - Recent updates: WordPress 6.x performance boosts, new Site Editor enhancements, and a round-up of the best block theme tutorials. - Community highlights: Shoutout to the maintainers behind accessibility-first themes and the mentors onboarding first-time contributors in Five for the Future. - New plugins: Check out performance profiling tools for the block editor and a consent-mode friendly analytics plugin. Why this matters: The strongest growth comes from tight “community wedges”—think contributor onboarding cohorts, code review circles, and RFC reading clubs. If you want in, we’ve opened signups for our next 4-week cohort and a monthly Maintainers’ Roundtable. Helpful links: - Learn the block editor deeply with the official developer resources: https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/ - Git and GitHub practice sandbox: https://lab.github.com - Contributor Handbook: https://make.wordpress.org/docs/handbook/ ## ✅ Action Items: Prompt for aligning each article with your role and OSPO aspirations: “Given this article, analyze how its ideas can be operationalized within an open-source, WordPress-focused Developer Advocacy strategy. Map recommendations to: - Open-source advocacy: transparency, governance, license literacy, funding models. - Contributor engagement: onboarding cohorts, mentorship ladders, recognition systems, psychological safety. - Education: curricula for PHP/JS/HTML/CSS/Git, cohort-based learning, assessment, accessibility. - OSPO objectives: policy, metrics, compliance, inner/outer source, contributor experience, DEIB. Deliverables: - A ‘community wedge’ proposal targeted at a specific contributor segment (e.g., first-time Gutenberg contributors). - A 6-week pilot plan with rituals, content, facilitation, and success metrics. - Risk/ethics review (inclusion, moderation, code of conduct). - Dashboard spec linking community metrics to product and ecosystem outcomes. - Scale plan if pilot achieves thresholds. Ensure the analysis emphasizes sustainable funding and fair credit for contributors, and show how insights translate into stage content, workshops, and public artifacts.” ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - A narrowly scoped contributor onboarding cohort for first-time WordPress contributors will increase 90-day contributor retention by 25% vs. control. - Peer code review circles will reduce time-to-merged PR for new contributors by 30%. - Ritualized demo days will increase cross-team knowledge transfer and plugin adoption. - A “maintainer office hours” wedge will improve maintainer satisfaction and reduce burnout signals. ### 📊 Methodology: - Design: A/B or staggered cohort pilots; mixed-methods (quant + qual). - Data sources: GitHub/GitLab events, Make.WordPress Slack logs, WordPress.org Trac, surveys, onboarding analytics. - Metrics: TTFV, 4-week ritual retention, PR merge latency, repeat contribution rate, newcomer drop-off, NPS/CSAT. - Analysis: Survival curves for contributor retention, DiD for program effects, content analysis of qualitative interviews. ### ❓ Questions: - What is the smallest community artifact that proves value for a specific WordPress contributor segment? - Which rituals most reliably produce TTFV under 7 days? - How do we prevent scaling from diluting value density? - What ethical risks emerge when measuring contributors, and how do we mitigate them? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Comparative efficacy of different wedge formats across contributor personas. - Longitudinal impact of wedges on maintainer burnout and sustainability. - Funding mechanisms tied to verified community outcomes (e.g., grants triggered by retention metrics). - The role of AI copilots in community facilitation without harming agency. ### 💡 Implications: - Clear wedges can professionalize contributor ops in OSPOs. - Evidence-based community design can justify sustained funding. - Repeatable rituals lower barriers for underrepresented contributors. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - Readability: General business/strategy; approximately Grade 9–11. - Visual: Likely minimal; improve with wedge diagrams, funnel charts, program maps. - Aural: Add audio summary or short podcast episode with case interviews. - Verbal: Strong conceptual framing; enhance with stories and concrete case narratives. - Kinesthetic: Add exercises—run a 2-week pilot checklist; facilitator scripts. - Logical: Present a decision tree for wedge selection; include KPIs and thresholds. - Social: Encourage mastermind circles and peer intros; add discussion prompts. - Solitary: Provide reflection worksheets to define ICP and JTBD. - Naturalistic: Optional—use ecosystem analogies (niches, succession) to illustrate wedges. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - Screen readers: Ensure headings are semantic; add alt text to any diagrams. - Keyboard: Verify tab order for any interactive elements (if web-published). - Contrast/readability: High-contrast palette; support prefers-reduced-motion. - Text resizing: Use responsive typography; avoid fixed heights; test 200% zoom. ### 🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging) Assessment: - Cultural relevance: Include global examples (non‑US OSS communities). - Inclusive language: Prefer gender-neutral terms; define jargon (ICP, JTBD). - Neurodiversity: Break content into short sections; bulleted checklists; predictable structure. - Representation: Feature case studies from diverse maintainers and contributors. - Psychological safety: State a clear code of conduct; provide reporting channels; content warnings when needed. ### ✅ Logical validity: - Strengths - Causal reasoning: Start narrow to increase signal and measurable outcomes; coherent and widely validated in GTM practice. - Logical flow: Problem (diffuse communities) → Solution (wedge) → Method (pilot/measure) → Scale. - Ethical reasoning: Encourages proof before scale, reducing waste and burnout. - Improvements - Provide more empirical benchmarks across industries. - Include counterexamples where broad launches worked, and explain conditions. - Potential fallacies to avoid - Hasty generalization: Not all communities benefit from ultra-narrow wedges; note exceptions. - False dilemma: Wedge vs. broad isn’t binary; hybrids exist. Offer guidance on when. 🔍 DARVO Analysis: - The article is strategy-focused and does not display DARVO patterns. No denial of allegations, personal attacks, or role reversals are employed. Tone is instructive, pragmatic, and supportive. ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - Keywords: “community wedge,” “community-led growth,” “ICP,” “JTBD,” “community strategy.” Integrate naturally in title, intro, H2s, first 100 words. - Meta description: “Learn how a precise ‘community wedge’—a focused program for a defined ICP—can prove value fast, then scale community-led growth.” - Title tag: “How to Find Your Community Wedge” (~32 chars; consider “Community Wedge: How to Find and Prove Yours” for keyword breadth). - Headers: Use H2/H3 with keywords (e.g., “Define Your ICP,” “Validate Your Wedge”). - Content length: Aim 1,200–1,800 words with concrete examples. - Links: Add internal links to related community-building posts; external links to credible case studies. - URL: slug like /community-wedge-strategy - Images: Include a wedge diagram with descriptive alt text and compressed size. - Mobile: Optimize for speed; lazy-load images; use responsive tables. - Engagement: Add worksheet download CTA; discussion prompts; newsletter signup. - Schema: Use Article schema; consider HowTo schema for the pilot checklist. - Social: Open Graph and Twitter Card tags with a compelling summary graphic. ## 🎯 Conclusion: Finding your community wedge means identifying a precise audience and job-to-be-done, designing a small but repeatable program that delivers time-to-first-value quickly, and validating with rigorous metrics before scaling. This focus de-risks community investment, improves contributor experience, and creates a clear path from early traction to durable, community-led growth—especially relevant for open-source ecosystems like WordPress and for OSPO-aligned advocacy. - Summary: Welcome to Feedly — the platform where businesses and curious minds stay ahead of the curve! We're passionate about helping teams track competitors, discover new trends, and research emerging security threats. Feedly AI is a collection of machine learning models that automatically collect, analyze, and help you share actionable insights from millions of sources in real-time. - URL: https://feedly.com/i/entry/2y%2BjQT7qsea1%2B5l%2FdTY0k4IIDZcOJe9TC4oqKszC8sg%3D_1898cf2978f%3Aad26f%3A300d20de | | | | | Thank you to the 136 of you who shared your feedback! Survey closes on Friday. If you could [take 5-7 minutes to fill it out](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/5dd7ae0c-69b9-4fc8-979b-2758b3479256?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) today I’d really appreciate it. [How to Find your Community Wedge](https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=8582&post_id=115860649&utm_source=post-email-title&isFreemail=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMzMwMjAxMzQsInBvc3RfaWQiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwiaWF0IjoxNjkwMjg2ODA5LCJleHAiOjE2OTI4Nzg4MDksImlzcyI6InB1Yi04NTgyIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.GszaXR0QvR4hpPt5FMD5iv4QULKAuzJorGm0EIBkQ6U)A framework for differentiating your community in a noisy market | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | [David Spinks](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/fb601390-3fc1-4a92-bd85-373cee187aa9?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) | | | | | | --- | | Jul 25 | | | | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | [Share](https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=8582&post_id=115860649&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMzMwMjAxMzQsInBvc3RfaWQiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwiaWF0IjoxNjkwMjg2ODA5LCJleHAiOjE2OTI4Nzg4MDksImlzcyI6InB1Yi04NTgyIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.GszaXR0QvR4hpPt5FMD5iv4QULKAuzJorGm0EIBkQ6U) | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | Midjourney prompt: A hammer driving a wedge into a surfaceIt’s never been easier to start a community. Just click “launch” on Slack, or Circle, or [insert platform here] and you’ll be smashing humans together in no time. The result? There are more online communities than ever before.That could lead you to believe that you shouldn’t launch another one. “There are already 100 communities about AI, should I build another one?” The short answer: Yes! Today I’ll show you how you can find your “community wedge” and create a unique community in a noisy market.THIS EMAIL WILL TEACH YOU:***(in 10 minutes or less)***✔️ Why people love to community hop✔️ How community benefits evolve over time✔️ Community framework: The Five Community Wedges✔️ How five ***real*** communities found their wedge✔️ 30-min exercise: Find Your Wedge (+ FREE worksheet)Let’s get cookin’…👨‍🍳I study communities and teach you how they work. Subscribe and join over 4,700 community creators and counting! 👇[Pledge your support](https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kYXZpZHNwaW5rcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCIsInAiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwicyI6ODU4MiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTMzMDIwMTM0LCJpYXQiOjE2OTAyODY4MDksImV4cCI6MTY5Mjg3ODgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.MwYeExDGuAB37ahmfy1U583EfTkQ-WMIjxZi3tHwnL8?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscribe-widget-preamble&utm_content=115860649)WHY PEOPLE LOVE TO COMMUNITY HOP[A recent Reddit study](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ea6a8936-ccf6-48f5-b2b8-86032ac43973?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) set out to discover why people participate in multiple communities focused on the same topic.What they learned was members derive one of three benefits from each community (reworded for clarity):1. **🤝 Connection:** form relationships with similar types of people 2. **👀 Consumption:** find specific types of content, discussions, and information 3. **👨‍🎨 Creation:** find the largest possible audience for their content The study found that these three benefits are in conflict.“**…**the more a community provides one of these benefits, the less able it will be to provide the other two. A single community might provide two of these benefits, but almost never all three. This, my friends, is known as a “trilemma”.Because it’s difficult for a single community to offer all three benefits, multiple communities form to fill in the gaps.HOW COMMUNITY BENEFITS EVOLVE OVER TIMELet’s play this out. Say you join a newly launched community focused on tacos called The Tacollaboration. 🌮 That’s right, you’re a Tacollaborator. **🛎️ DING!****STAGE 1: 🤝 CONNECTION 📈**It’s the early days and it’s still small. Everyone’s basking in their love of tacos and feeling each other. The vibes are immaculate. You get to know a few of the other members and become friends, or “Guacamigos” as it’s known in the community.But soon people start to catch wind of this little taco party you have going on and they want in. The community grows. **🛎️ DING!****STAGE 2: 👀 CONSUMPTION 📈 (CONNECTION 📉)**As more people join, the depth of connection isn’t what it used to be. It’s getting too big to know everyone. But you now have even more people to learn from. The content is rich 🤌. It becomes the go-to spot for taco news and information. Word spreads.The community grows.**🛎️ DING!** **STAGE 3: 👨‍🎨 CREATION 📈 (CONSUMPTION 📉 CONNECTION 📉)**Who loves consumers? That’s right. Creators. With content consumers rushing to the community, the tree of reputation is ripe and ready for harvesting.It’s great because you start gaining a following as a taco expert, and your newsletter, “The Taco Times”, is growing fast. But the vibe changes. People start dropping dope taco memes to get more likes. There’s a lot more noise. Content quality goes down.The range of topics also expands. Some members start talking about burritos and quesadillas (blasphemy). You’re no longer building new relationships and it becomes harder to find the specific taco information you crave.You start looking for a new community where you can feel connected again.**🛎️ DING!** The cycle starts over with a new community.—This is the evolution of communities. They’re never static. And there’s always a window of opportunity to come in at the connection level and eat the existing community’s tacos.⧨ COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK: THE FIVE COMMUNITY WEDGESThe Reddit study gave us a window into how to differentiate your community, but not a complete list.In my experience, there are five wedges you can use to insert your community into an already busy market:1. **Size** - Because when the other communities go big, you go small (or vice versa) 2. **Benefits** - Because the other communities can’t be good at everything 3. **Flavor** - Because ain’t nobody got your specific style and voice 4. **Identity** - Because every identity has infinite sub-identities 5. **Format** - Because people get tired of Yet Another Zoom Call (YAZC™) Look at the communities that are out there and figure out which of these wedges you can use to create something novel and exciting.**FIVE REAL COMMUNITIES WHO FOUND THEIR WEDGE**1. [CMX](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/a6c87481-bdb5-41c3-8616-a720ec97c1ed?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) went big and global with a conference when all the existing community events were small and local (size and format). We also created a brand voice that was more innovative and relatable (flavor). 2. [Sales Hacker](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/c358c121-5fcc-4066-8f9f-827834365a0f?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) focused on providing quick “hacks” for how to improve your sales (benefit) and their culture was all about being experimental (flavor). It appealed to a unique group of salespeople who had more of a hacker mindset (identity). 3. [Tech Ladies](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/d44395d5-e3c7-49a5-adbb-3601593350f1?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) saw that a lot of communities focused on women in tech were only for engineers. They went broader by focusing on all women who work at tech companies (identity) and providing a job matchmaking service (benefit). 4. [Hampton](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/5c26cdb8-04f6-433e-9d9e-c2b073277555?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) saw existing players like [YPO](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/9d25cbd5-34c8-49c9-b2d8-a7981d5df4c9?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) charge a premium but members had to self-organize their groups, and the vibe felt old and stuffy. So they created a community where members get put in groups facilitated by professional coaches (benefits) and created a distinct brand that felt modern and exciting (flavor). 5. [The Dinner Party](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/4ddc13a8-2c83-43fd-b4c8-ef2c46d5045a?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) found that all the existing support groups for people who lost a loved one drew an older crowd and didn’t feel super cozy. They designed an experience that focused on people in their 20’s and 30’s (identity), welcomed dark humor (flavor), and hosted it in members’ homes, potluck style (format). 30-MIN EXERCISE: FIND YOUR WEDGE (+ FREE WORKSHEET)[Click here to get your free “Find Your Wedge” Notion worksheet](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/6cc118d8-f284-432e-ac90-2e21c450983c?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE)Let’s put this framework into action.1. Choose a community in your market from whom you’d like to differentiate 2. In the second column, describe what their community is doing for each wedge 3. In the third column, write down how you might do things differently | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | Duplicate the table and repeat the process for any other communities you want to analyze.A vision should quickly start to form for how your community can stand out in your market.The wonderful thing is you don’t need to use all five wedges. Even using just one can be enough to set your community apart.**A hypothetical example:**Say you wanted to launch a community event for startups and tech. SXSW is a community you want to differentiate from. Here’s how you might fill out the worksheet: | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | I can already start to see the wonderful community you’re going to launch. SXSW won’t stand a chance 😉**HERE’S WHAT WE COVERED TODAY:**✔️ Why people love to community hop✔️ How community benefits evolve over time✔️ Community framework: The Five Community Wedges✔️ How five ***real*** communities found their wedge✔️ 30-min exercise: Find Your Wedge (+ FREE worksheet)…happy wedging! ⊿Subscribe to keep your community learning journey going! 👇[Pledge your support](https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kYXZpZHNwaW5rcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCIsInAiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwicyI6ODU4MiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTMzMDIwMTM0LCJpYXQiOjE2OTAyODY4MDksImV4cCI6MTY5Mjg3ODgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.MwYeExDGuAB37ahmfy1U583EfTkQ-WMIjxZi3tHwnL8?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscribe-widget-preamble&utm_content=115860649)🍭 Brain Candy*Some goodies to get your community gears turning…*🐘 Unicorns are out. [Elephants are in](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/d82436d8-0483-4fd8-afe2-cf1312675410?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE). Love this startup investment thesis.🗓️ If you’re going to create a community content calendar, this is about [as good of a guide](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/5332eb22-1934-40a9-9dee-ca92d106c36d?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) as you’re going to find.💊 [This helped me understand the loneliness crisis](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/0dce8cfe-7cd8-4798-9f02-d58dd462be29?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) much more deeply. I also learned that doctors have been experimenting with a “loneliness pill”. 😳🥊 The battle rages on. Are you on team chat or team forum? [Why not both](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/bfef3fba-ea5e-4f94-a9e6-a3fa58c75e8a?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE)?📖 RIP: [Your book club](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/8aefda0a-36e2-4127-9196-7cf693831c26?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE).**🔥 Featured Community Jobs**1. [Community & Partner Support Specialist](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/6beb84ac-d0f3-4294-84d1-1097d52fac24?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE), Notion (NYC/SF | $106,000- $119,000) 2. [Community Manager](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/e5c7d5bc-d874-45b8-bb3c-418fb3c8ef57?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE), Bloom AI (Part-Time / Remote) 3. [Director of Community](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/5c52d3ed-424e-4ed6-895f-e7441d7bc3f9?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE), Metafy (Remote | $100-200K) **👉 [View 57 more community jobs here](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/56bbb77b-4ace-4565-8b9e-e6a243a8e27a?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE)**I personally vetted 232 community builders who are looking for their next gig. Sign up for my collective to get full access to the candidates and have your job featured in this newsletter.[Post Your Job](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/2330ce13-3a63-4030-ba3b-fe4dcafca004?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE)🫡 That’s all for this week!My garden grew its first cucumber! We ate it. It was delicious. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | I refuse to make a gardening-to-community analogy so I’m just going to end this newsletter before the temptation overwhelms me.Until next time…Thanks for building community.-David “The Wedge” SpinksIf you enjoyed today’s post, help my content reach more people by sharing it. If you refer new subscribers, you can win some sweet rewards! Congrats to **Chenell Basilio** and **Tereza Hanáková** who both earned rewards this week. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | [Refer a friend](https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kYXZpZHNwaW5rcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vbGVhZGVyYm9hcmQ_JnJlZmVycmVyX3Rva2VuPTI3NzJ6cSIsInAiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwicyI6ODU4MiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTMzMDIwMTM0LCJpYXQiOjE2OTAyODY4MDksImV4cCI6MTY5Mjg3ODgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.o4eSe5mn9gmVHXa8knhBmEd4DhRWfux8LP5mfNb9Bs8?&utm_source=post)**Whenever you're ready, there are a couple ways to work with me:****→ Hire me as a consultant** - I advise creators and companies on their community strategy. [Learn more](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/619de045-6a5a-44c7-9f80-c3a201a2909d?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE) *(I’m currently fully booked but you can [join my waitlist](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/c621d00f-3156-4223-901a-7c300c8ea8ed?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE))***→ Invite me to speak** - I can’t sing, but I can whisper sweet community-building wisdom into your attendee’s ears. Hit reply for speaking rates and details.**→** **Grab a copy of [my book](https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/99322c9a-9099-45e4-aa43-cd20b12473d0?j=eyJ1IjoiMjc3MnpxIn0.5Az0lQwuC_7wq-sx_6dkHqta-txdg70Pmhks-gCZ3aE)!** It’s the full guide to building community for your business | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | [Like](https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=8582&post_id=115860649&utm_source=substack&isFreemail=true&submitLike=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMzMwMjAxMzQsInBvc3RfaWQiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwicmVhY3Rpb24iOiLinaQiLCJpYXQiOjE2OTAyODY4MDksImV4cCI6MTY5Mjg3ODgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTg1ODIiLCJzdWIiOiJyZWFjdGlvbiJ9.yJp3CShSHrjcxxyJRwnVeKkPSfWnM1Mp8Q8YLBehSIQ&utm_medium=email) | | | | | --- | | [Comment](https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=8582&post_id=115860649&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&isFreemail=true&comments=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMzMwMjAxMzQsInBvc3RfaWQiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwiaWF0IjoxNjkwMjg2ODA5LCJleHAiOjE2OTI4Nzg4MDksImlzcyI6InB1Yi04NTgyIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.GszaXR0QvR4hpPt5FMD5iv4QULKAuzJorGm0EIBkQ6U&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) | | | | | --- | | [Restack](https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kYXZpZHNwaW5rcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vcC9ob3ctdG8tZmluZC15b3VyLWNvbW11bml0eS13ZWRnZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXN1YnN0YWNrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCIsInAiOjExNTg2MDY0OSwicyI6ODU4MiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTMzMDIwMTM0LCJpYXQiOjE2OTAyODY4MDksImV4cCI6MTY5Mjg3ODgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.2YnN_DrJ1tjUH_jTEwJsnBLo8-OLThZFRlLm-4M70yM?&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) | | | | | | |, How to Find your Community Wedge, David Spinks' Newsletter, 01h6bzepgf4pqvqfccg1p12025.