Should I invest in paid communities (e.g., Patreon, Mighty Networks)?

Investing in paid communities like Patreon or Mighty Networks can be a wise choice, but it depends on your goals and what you hope to achieve from these platforms. Let me break it down for you, drawing from my journey as both a consumer and creator.

First, assess your purpose:

1. Learning and Networking: If your goal is to learn from industry experts or connect with like-minded individuals, paid communities can offer insights and connections that free resources sometimes lack. It's about paying for access, accountability, and proximity to people who are further along the path you want to take.

2. Supporting Creators or Causes: Sometimes, the value in participating is also about supporting voices, causes, or projects that resonate with you. If there's a creator whose work you admire and you want to see them continue, your membership might be about more than just receiving something in return—think of it as a contribution to their work.

3. Creating and Growing Your Own Community: Platforms like Mighty Networks can be powerful if you're looking to build a community around your own content or business. These platforms can offer you tools and structures to engage your audience deeply, which can be crucial for building a sustainable income stream outside of traditional corporate structures.

Reflect on these considerations:

• Value vs. Cost: Weigh the tangible and intangible benefits against the membership fees. Are you genuinely getting insights, tools, community, or support that push you forward?

• Commitment Level: Paid communities often require active participation to get the most out of them. Are you willing to engage, contribute, and show up regularly?

• Your Current Phase: Depending on where you are in your journey, you might prefer free resources and invest your money elsewhere, or vice versa.

When I transitioned from engineering to a creative career, I found incredible value in certain paid communities because they offered a mix of guidance, shared experiences, and accountability that free ones didn't. However, not every investment paid off equally, and it took some trial and error to find the right fits.

Ultimately, redefine success on your terms. If a community aligns with your mission and fuels your journey in a way that feels right to you, it can be worth the investment. Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to hold off and explore other avenues.