Podcast Title: People Magic: How to Build a $1M Community
Episode: Community Should Not Be A Grind
Host/Author: Mighty Networks & Pod People
Release Date: January 3, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Community Should Not Be A Grind," host Amanda Goetz engages in a profound conversation with Amanda Goetz, a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur. Known for her expertise in building thriving communities, Amanda shares her journey, insights, and strategies for creating a million-dollar community without the relentless grind often associated with entrepreneurship.

Amanda Goetz’s Journey in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Amanda opens up about her unconventional path into marketing, beginning her career at Ernst and Young before transitioning to the dynamic world of New York City. She managed the brand for a celebrity wedding planner, which served as her first deep dive into the multifaceted role of a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This experience ignited her passion for multi-channel, emotionally connective marketing.

Notable Quote:
"I love this multi-channel omnichannel approach and how it ties up to a larger message."
— Amanda Goetz [03:04]

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch a wedding tech startup in 2011, where she honed her skills in managing interdisciplinary teams and understanding the nuances of product and brand marketing. Eventually, she became the first consumer marketing hire at The Knot, where she played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a traditional media giant to a two-sided marketplace under new leadership from Google.

Building Emotionally Connected Brands

Amanda emphasizes the importance of embedding emotion into brands. During her tenure at The Knot, she navigated personal challenges, including a divorce, which influenced her approach to branding. She transformed The Knot from a transactional platform focused solely on weddings into a brand that championed self-love and relationship building.

Notable Quote:
"I was going through a divorce while managing this brand, and I turned it into something about self-love and making relationships work."
— Amanda Goetz [05:12]

This shift laid the foundation for her subsequent ventures, where she continues to prioritize emotional connections between brands and their communities.

Transition to Community-Driven Entrepreneurship

Following the sale of her company, Amanda delved into fractional CMO work, realizing her true passion lay in community building. She founded a wellness CPG company, House of Y's, which produced gummies aimed at empowering women to take control of various aspects of their lives, such as sleep, sex, stress, and strength.

Notable Quote:
"Our community was the backbone of the company. We had town halls, expert sessions, and a shared mission that went beyond just selling gummies."
— Amanda Goetz [07:04]

This experience underscored the power of community-driven businesses and solidified her commitment to fostering meaningful connections within her communities.

Key Insights on Community Building

Amanda highlights several critical aspects of successful community building:

1. Shift from Hero to Host:
   Transitioning from being the central figure to facilitating connections among community members is essential. Amanda shares an example of a high-profile creator who initially focused on being the hero but realized that fostering peer-to-peer connections was more impactful.

   Notable Quote:
   "Nothing feels better than when you see your community connecting."
   — Amanda Goetz [14:24]

2. Setting Boundaries:
   Establishing clear boundaries and managing expectations is crucial to prevent burnout and ensure sustainable community growth. Amanda discusses her struggle with being a people pleaser and how she learned to set necessary boundaries.

   Notable Quote:
   "I had to do my own inner work to feel comfortable setting those boundaries and expectations."
   — Amanda Goetz [10:16]

3. Focus on Intention and Transition:
   Balancing multiple roles requires intentional focus and smooth transitions between different aspects of one’s life. Amanda advises setting clear intentions for each role and honoring the transitions to maintain balance and effectiveness.

   Notable Quote:
   "Intentionality and honoring transitions between roles are key to balancing multiple responsibilities."
   — Amanda Goetz [16:34]

Common Mistakes in Community Building

Amanda identifies two primary fallacies that hinder effective community building:

1. Planning Fallacy:
   Overestimating the amount of work that can be accomplished in a given timeframe, leading to unrealistic expectations and potential burnout.

2. Urgency Fallacy:
   Mislabeling non-critical tasks as urgent, which creates unnecessary stress and distracts from meaningful progress.

She emphasizes the importance of focusing on one task at a time and aligning actions with long-term intentions rather than succumbing to the false sense of urgency.

Notable Quote:
"Focus on one thing at a time and set clear intentions to avoid guilt and shame from unmet expectations."
— Amanda Goetz [16:34]

Balancing Multiple Roles

Amanda discusses the challenges of juggling various roles, such as being a parent, professional, and friend. She advocates for recognizing and honoring each role's unique energy and values, rather than trying to be everything to everyone simultaneously.

Notable Quote:
"Who I am in work mode is different from mom mode or friend mode. Honoring these transitions is crucial."
— Amanda Goetz [16:34]

This approach fosters personal growth and ensures that external successes are a reflection of internal development.

Rethinking Entrepreneurship Culture

The conversation delves into the prevalent narrative that entrepreneurship is inherently grueling and demands constant hustle. Amanda challenges this notion, advocating for a more balanced and supportive approach to building businesses.

Notable Quote:
"The point is not about grinding it out to a moment where it takes a massive toll on your body and relationships."
— Amanda Goetz [19:15]

She posits that true entrepreneurship should focus on building supportive communities that enable members to connect and grow together, rather than isolating individuals behind relentless content creation.

The Future of Community Building

Looking ahead, Amanda is optimistic about the evolution of communities, especially in a post-COVID world where true human connection remains a challenge. She envisions communities that treat members holistically, addressing not just professional goals but also personal well-being.

Notable Quote:
"We're looking at every member as a whole human. That's important because so many are still experiencing loneliness as they work from home."
— Amanda Goetz [18:12]

Her initiatives, such as integrating workouts and book clubs, exemplify her commitment to fostering comprehensive and meaningful connections within her communities.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Amanda concludes by celebrating the transformative power of communities that prioritize human connection over individual hustle. She invites listeners to embrace this paradigm shift and offers resources for those interested in building their own supportive and profitable communities.

Notable Quote:
"Join a community to get started. That's the one thing you need."
— Amanda Goetz [22:05]

Additionally, she promotes the upcoming People Magic Summit, a free virtual event designed to guide aspiring community builders toward creating million-dollar communities in 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Emotional Connection: Building brands and communities on emotional connections fosters deeper engagement and loyalty.
• Shift Roles: Transitioning from being the central figure to facilitating connections among members leads to more sustainable and impactful communities.
• Set Boundaries: Establishing clear expectations and boundaries prevents burnout and maintains community health.
• Intention and Transition: Focusing on one role at a time and honoring transitions enhances personal and professional balance.
• Redefine Entrepreneurship: Moving away from the grind culture towards supportive, community-centric business models can lead to more fulfilling and successful ventures.

For those inspired by Amanda Goetz's insights, consider joining the People Magic Summit on January 22nd and 23rd to learn how to build a $1 million community in 2025 with step-by-step guidance and a supportive network.