When a 2D Community Becomes 3D
I’m not big on crowds. Never have been.
I may have organized city-wide festivals and love being on stage, but entering a room of 600 strangers isn’t something I look forward to.
If you’re an introvert or empath, you can relate.
That’s why I was so surprised last month in San Diego when I experienced the power of a 2D community becoming a 3D one.
It’s all because of Facebook.
I’m one of those who joined social media really late in the game. I wanted to participate in my online course discussion groups.
At first, that was overwhelming too.
My B-School group had over 2000 students in it! It took me a while to accept that I couldn’t read everything or help everyone. I had to trust that I’d see what I was meant to see and let go of the rest.
The support and help I received when I had a question was amazing! I truly learned the value of a 2D online community during that course.
So when I joined Lisa Sasevich‘s Speak to Sell online course for big-hearted entrepreneurs this year, I brought that collaborative spirit to its Facebook group. The exchange was rich.
It really helped me get more out of the course. I didn’t have to figure it all out on my own.
We also had group calls with Lisa, and I managed to get my questions answered on many of them.
So when I got to her bootcamp in San Diego, things were a lot different than the huge workshops I attended before the age of social media.
I can’t tell you how many people came up to me and hugged me or said things like:
“Oh Dominique, I was so hoping I’d meet you here”.
“Thank you for asking that question on the call. I was having the same problem!”
“You’re the one from Newfoundland! I loved my visit there …”
“I love your art! I’m so glad we’re getting to connect in person.”
I wasn’t a stranger surrounded by strangers. Names and thumbnails were now real live people I’d shared with online. We could skip the small talk and connect at a deeper level.
My willingness to stretch my comfort zones by joining social media (and learn not to get swallowed up by it) led to a truly heart-warming real-life community experience.
For that I am grateful!
Oh – and it also helped me find 3 great roommates to share the expenses with. Now we’re friends and in our own little mastermind group!
What’s your favourite 2D online Group? Name 1 benefit of being a part of it in the comments below. I’d love examples and stories.
My favorite 2D online groups is Recovery 2.0 on Facebook. A group with well over 7000 members and a spinoff group where i regularly contribute my poems and photography – Recovery Art Community. Both are closed groups -giving me confidence that I can share in an open way. This is a great story Dominique. Thank you.
You’re very welcome Gordon. A safe place to share is definitely beneficial, no matter for personal or business matters.