An Audience Is Not A Community

How real is your community?

Ten honest statements, scored against an anthropologist's five requirements for a real community: durability, mutual recognition, shared norms, mutual obligation, and belonging. Takes two minutes.

Durability

The same people show up again, episode after episode.

Durability

A guest relationship usually continues after the episode goes live.

Mutual Recognition

My guests know each other, not just me.

Mutual Recognition

Listeners recognize each other by name in comments, replies, or events.

Shared Norms

My show has recurring rituals or formats people can count on.

Shared Norms

There is a clear way things are done that regulars understand.

Mutual Obligation

People in my world make introductions and referrals for each other.

Mutual Obligation

When someone asks for help, someone in the community answers.

Belonging

People say "my show" or "our community", not just "a podcast I listen to".

Belonging

If I disappeared for a month, people would notice and reach out.

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