Finding Your Creative Community: Moving from Solo Creator to Connected Storyteller

Introduction

Community is such an important part of the journey we go on as creators. By knowing the difference from working alone to allowing others in on the process can help us elevate to new levels we may never be able to reach. We are much stronger when we are together in a community.

1. Understanding the Solo Creator Mindset

Being a solo creator comes with it’s pro’s and it’s cons. What you have to decide is whether or not the pro’s out weigh the cons. Here are three challenges we face when trying to work alone.

First, working alone can lead to creative stagnation, where you run out of fresh ideas and perspectives because you're limited to your own viewpoint and experiences.

Second, there's the challenge of skill limitations - as a solo creator, you're responsible for every aspect of your work, even in areas where you might not be particularly strong or skilled.

Third, emotional burnout is a significant risk when working alone, as you lack the support system and motivation that comes from regular interaction with other creators who understand your journey.

If you find yourself facing any of these obstacles it may be time for you to start expanding your creative network and finding people to help you push your craft further.

2. Finding Your Creative Community

Now if you’ve decided you need to find a community of people to work with there are many options to choose from. There are many different ways you can find a community depending on what your craft is. There are great Facebook groups for pretty much any community or niche you want to join. You could also find people with similar interests that live near you and start meeting in real life with them. This can help you build deeper connections and friendships with others that goes deeper than just what you guys are creating.

Be sure you are adding value to whatever group you join. You don’t just want to take from the people around you but you want to be able to add value to them as well. Building a community is more about just getting more views on a project. Be genuine and care about how people are doing. This will help you build trust amongst those you are around.

Make sure the people you surround yourself with align with your values. It can be draining to constantly disagree with those trying to help you. While you won't find a group that agrees with your every thought, that's actually beneficial—some differences help challenge and grow you. The key is having similar core values and goals so you're all moving in the same direction.

3. Building Authentic Connections

If you really want these connections to last you must be authentic. This goes beyond just writing that next song or building the next big app. You should care for those in your community. How are they doing? Are they going through anything challenging in life right now? Each person we work with is more than just a client they have their own unique story to share and have their own unique life they live out everyday. Take the time to get to know them for who they are.

Learn how to give and receive feedback. We will talk more in depth about this later on this blog but for now know that being able to give and receive feedback can have a huge impact on your work. Listen to what others have to say and don’t take offense if it’s not what you want to hear. They may be able to see through your blind spots and help you solve problems you didn’t know you had. On the opposite side of the coin you may see things in someone else’s work that is holding them back. Learn how to kindly bring it up and give suggestions on how they can improve.

4. Growing Together

Don't just chase followers—seek out people who both inspire and motivate you to build a genuine community. A collaborative community that works and grows together can bring far more success than a passive fan base that merely cheers you on. After all, what happens when inspiration runs dry and everyone around you is simply waiting for your next piece of content?

Building relationships with fellow creators can rejuvenate your creative spirit and bring new energy to your work. Learning and growing together will ultimately bring more fulfillment than simply amassing a larger fan base.

Conclusion

Embracing community as a vital part of your creative journey is an important part of being a creative but you must still be able to maintain your unique voice. You don’t want to lose yourself to the ideas of others but you want to bring your ideas together to form something better. If you need a community come find us over on Instagram @rosesashumans. We would love to connect with you and hear your story.