The Ultimate Strength of a Startup
I couldn't answer what is our strength when someone asked me few months back
Welcome everyone to my 4th edition of The Hustle Book. Thank you all for subscribing to my newsletter. A lot of stories to share, a lot of pictures, and behind-the-scenes to show you.
Fueler has recently crossed 11400 members — all organic and because of word of mouth. Do you know 80% of our growth has been because of referrals and word of mouth? It’s incredible how community building works.
So lately I was reflecting on what has been our strength throughout the journey until today. A few months back a gentleman asked me what do you think is the strength of Fueler — I couldn’t answer back then but then I thought of writing about it in detail.
The biggest strength of Fueler is:
🤝 Not the team: We were recent graduates, had no knowledge of advanced technology, and have no experience working with big-shot startups. We figured it all on our own bit by bit every day for the last 48 months together.
🏖️ Not the location: Fueler is being built remotely from different small towns and cities in India. Fueler is one of the startups from Northeast India. The Internet truly has been a blessing for us. It has helped us connect with folks from different parts of the world.
🗿 Not because of influential people: At this moment, I can just say we are working hard to be noticed by them. Getting mentions from high-agency people will help us build trust in the community.
💡 Not the idea: an obvious and neglected idea, Proof of Work is presumed to be just a feature in an existing product, and this cannot be a business. But we have got action plans and have customers now who are paying
🖥️ Nor the technology: our tech stack is quite simple. no advanced programming languages. We learned and built as we grew through trial and error.
So you know what it is?
It’s the community. It's the people. It's that feeling of connectedness to a mission and a shared purpose.
When it comes to building community, you definitely don't want to build distribution with poor retention. Community is skin in the game for startups or for any new initiatives. Irrespective of how hard it it, we are also learning and building our way.
Here is a small tribute to Fueler Community 2022 - Watch it
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What’s community building for me?
I feel there is going to be that one community that will change everything for you. It will introduce you to new people, new cultures, new ways to communicate, new ways to exchange ideas, feelings, and vulnerabilities
Most importantly it will help you grow intellectually, financially, and physically and do you know the best part?
You wouldn't feel like it. Because it's all organic and natural. You will be in your true self. You will feel like contributing to different causes, you will feel like participating
This is what a great community enables in your life.
From internet to real life and beyond it truly changes you as a person. In the end it's all because of that one community you choose to be a part of.
You stick to it through thick and thin knowing it's life. I believe we all need that one community to belong.
In the world of growing differences, you will look for that one tribe you feel connected, understood, and pampered.
I mean, just look around you, this world is such an inspiring example of community. There are communities of every size and shape with countless beliefs that are shaping human civilization to advance and to bring closer.
We have built Fueler with very limited resources. Creatively using all the resources we could collect and afford - from small towns and cities in India. A very small team of 6 people working remotely. By asking, and creating our own and all through frugal means. Chasing that one north star - the happiness of our community members
Talking to them, listening to them, and being part of their stories in any possible way we could. When I study internet products like Figma, Airbnb, Canva, Github and now Notion.
The community has played a very vital role for them. So is going to play a big role for us at Fueler in the coming future ✨
💾 I did a session on “Art of Community Building” [Pitch Deck]
If you are a community builder, this is for you
We at Fueler, seeing a sudden spike in user signup on Fueler
One possible reason: Community. There are no secrets. We have been building our Fueler Community for the last two years. Along with the numbers, it's also the density that is important. I learned this important thing from the book "Cold Start Problem"
Your members are smart, please do not take any shortcuts. Help them in the best way possible, help them win, celebrate their wins, be an active contributor to their journey - have a contribution mindset - help them build a contribution mindset. Help them see and go Level X
In the age of automation, your efforts are the real differentiation for you Whatever you do, you chose to write and speak about - contribute to your community-building efforts. Once again, there are no shortcuts - Get your heads down, roll your sleeves and do the real work
Here is the exact part I read yesterday. The tiny atomic network; density; ignoring the objection of “market size” This is so cool analogy here. Most networks effort are built through category creation. Our category is: Proof of Work and the awesomeness it brings with it.
Community building is a lot like a Fair (Mela)
Every individual is open to bringing their expertise and energy with them which are like different stalls and plays inside a Fair. The engagement would depend on how interesting the person is. And you as a community manager is responsible for enabling the ecosystem inside so that all the members inside feel inclusive and there is high agency play.
Lastly,
Community managers need to set high standards for their community. You set a vision and you have to lead by example. Define your X.
You can elevate the whole community together like a force with high skin in the game. It takes a lot to take a stand and hold onto something for long you believe in. It will be hard but not impossible.
Until then, take care — I will see you on the next edition.
Your friend,
Riten
P.S: Download the cool-looking Fueler wallpapers - click here