Before I wrote the first word in my book, I knew about the importance of community building. So in the build-up of my first book, I tried to start a community. Even though I am still actively building the community, I wish to share my mistakes and how I fixed them.

1. Trying to Please Everyone

When building my community, I made the classic mistake of trying to appeal to everyone. I was so focused on growing my audience that I watered down my content to reach more people. This led to a drop in engagement, as my posts weren’t resonating with anyone in particular.

How I Fixed It:

I stopped trying to please everyone and instead doubled down on creating content that spoke to my core audience. Narrowing my focus helped me reach the right people, and my engagement levels started to rise again. Lesson learned: you can’t be everything to everyone, and that’s okay.

2. Inconsistent Engagement

In the beginning, I was inconsistent with how often I interacted with my community. Some weeks I’d post and engage heavily, and other weeks I’d disappear altogether. This led to a fragmented experience for my followers, and I noticed that people started to drift away because they couldn’t rely on my presence.

How I Fixed It:

Consistency is key when building a community, and I had to learn this the hard way. I set up a content schedule that allowed me to engage regularly without burning out. I now plan my content, making sure to show up in my community with updates, comments, or even just casual conversations.

3. Over-Promoting My Work

When I finished my first book, I got caught up in promoting it too much. I thought that since my community was there to support me, they wouldn’t mind constant updates and reminders about the book. I didn’t realize that too much promotion felt like I was turning every interaction into a sales pitch. Eventually, I noticed a dip in engagement and some followers leaving altogether.

How I Fixed It:

I shifted the balance between promotion and connection. Instead of focusing solely on my book, I started sharing more personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and insights into my writing process. This allowed my followers to connect with me on a deeper level, beyond just being an author. When I did promote my books, it felt more natural and less like I was pushing a product.

4. Neglecting to Listen

Another mistake was not listening to my community. I was so focused on creating content and pushing out updates that I didn’t take the time to engage with their feedback or pay attention to what they wanted. This led to a disconnect between me and my audience, and I started to feel out of touch with the people I was trying to reach.

How I Fixed It:

I began to actively listen to my community. Instead of just posting content, I started asking for feedback, running polls, and responding to comments with more intention. I made it a point to understand what my audience valued, what they were struggling with, and how I could better serve them. Listening has become one of the most important aspects of my community-building strategy.

5. Trying to Do Everything Myself

When I first started, I was determined to handle everything. From creating content to managing my social media, I thought I didn’t need help to keep up with all aspects of building my community. But soon enough, I found myself overwhelmed, burned out, and unable to keep up with the demands of running a thriving community.

How I Fixed It:

I learned that it’s okay to ask for help. I began outsourcing some tasks, like graphic design and scheduling posts, to free up my time for more meaningful interactions with my followers. Additionally, I leaned on members of my community to help manage discussions or moderate group chats. Delegating responsibilities allowed me to focus on what I do best—writing and engaging with my readers—without feeling overwhelmed.

6. Ignoring Analytics

For a while, I didn’t pay much attention to analytics. I spent so much time creating content that I didn’t take the time to track what was working and what wasn’t. This led to wasted efforts on posts and strategies that weren’t resonating with my audience.

How I Fixed It:

I started regularly checking the analytics for my social media and website. This helped me understand which types of content were performing well and which ones weren’t. With this insight, I could tailor my content strategy to better align with what my audience wanted, and I saw an improvement in engagement as a result.

Building a community is a journey full of lessons, and I’ve certainly learned a lot along the way. The mistakes I made helped me understand what works and what doesn’t, and addressing them has made my community stronger and more engaged. If there’s one takeaway from my experience, it’s that mistakes are part of the process. Don’t be afraid to make them—just be sure to learn from them and adapt. Your community will grow stronger for it.