Laura Zug’s Post

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, I've witnessed both heartbreak and hope. 💔 This week's newsletter is a reminder that we truly are better together.

"Are you ok?" 💖 My heart continues to go out to those in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. A local church in Boone is serving as a distribution center and making meals for those in need. Recognizing that emotional support is just as crucial as physical aid, the pastor shared this advice with volunteers: "Share the following three words with everyone you talk to: 'Are you ok?' Listen to their answer." I loved that, because it's wisdom for ALL of us. Slowing down to listen carries a lot of kindness. Asking a genuine question, and then waiting. We don't have to be facing a crisis to make space for others. Three simple words - "are you okay?" - can invite someone to open up, to share, and to feel seen. I'm admittedly quick to point out the downsides of social media, but this week has shown me its incredible potential for good. Facebook groups, in particular, have become invaluable lifelines, helping people: 🤝 Locate missing loved ones 🤝 Find emotional support and connect with basic needs 🤝 Coordinate relief efforts (shoutout to all the amazing volunteers!) 🤝 Share real-time updates about road conditions and distribution centers Thank goodness that these social networks were in place. I can't forget to be grateful. Technology, when used with compassion, can be a real source of comfort and support in times of need. I encourage you to slow down and take a moment to reach out to someone. It could be a neighbor, a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, or even that person you've been meaning to check in on. Ask them, "Are you ok?" - and really listen. Your call, text, or DM might just make their day. And if you're in a position to help those affected by Hurricane Helene, consider donating to local relief efforts or volunteering if you're nearby. Every bit of support counts. 🙏

"Over 25 folks showed up to help us clean up on the farm." Friends, over the past few days I've been numb reading the stories of devastation and lives upturned by Hurricane Helene. The photo posted here was one I took last summer at Springhouse Farm, located in the Appalachian Mountains of Watauga County, NC. The quote above is from the farmer, Amy Fiedler. Here's more: "I didn’t realize how emotionally drained I was until today, and these beautiful people took some of the heavy load we’ve been carrying by ourselves this past week." If you've been following along, you know that I write about online communities. I thought you might like to hear a few stories of how community is a literal lifeline right now. Back to Amy ... "All thanks go to Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture for being there to help us farmers during these uncertain times. I really can’t say enough good things about my experience with them throughout all of this. They’re busy right now organizing work groups for farmers and they remain a direct link to the outside world, offering us any help we need. Friends helping friends." 🌻 "Friends helping friends." That may be my new favorite definition of community, btw. In closing Amy summed it up beautifully: "It’s so easy to feel lost and overwhelmed - but today, Springhouse got some of her sparkle back and I felt a glimmer of hope!" That's what community brings, friends. Sparkle and glimmers of hope. ✨ I'll keep highlighting a few more of these stories of "friends helping friends". THIS is what community is about. I'll share a link in the comments to Amy's original post, a photo of her pre-hurricane, and a note about how to support Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and the local farms in the NC Mountains.

The actual devastation is just starting to hit the national news. Thank you for sharing these links, Amber Melanie Smith.

The devastation in Western North Carolina is heartbreaking. 💔 Here's a charity to support in Boone, NC: https://lnkd.in/ekhqQrBT Hunger and Health Coalition If you can spare a few dollars, I know they need it. https://lnkd.in/eHmbiRM6 If you google Asheville, Chimney Rock or Boone, NC, you'll quickly see why. Please add other ways to support in the comments. We're better together. 🫶

Just braved gale force winds and rain to attend CreativeMornings/Raleigh-Durham - and it was so worth it! As someone who spends a lot of time building online communities, getting together IRL is a special treat. This month's global theme? REFLECTION. Here's how CreativeMornings describes it: > Just like an echo is a reflection of sound... and how a camera lens focuses reflected light to form a photograph... our subconscious reflects on our experiences to form our beliefs. Without reflection, there can be no personal growth. Learning from our past yields greater wisdom and happiness. < Our speaker, Alysse Campbell, had us at the first word as she told her story through the lens of a love of music and film. We laughed and may have even shed some tears as she sweetly shared a story about her 7-year-old self and her dad. Alysse encouraged us to revisit our own childhood memories and look for the threads connecting them to what we're creating now. And thank you Videri Chocolate Factory for sending me home with a gold foil wrapped chocolate "medal" to celebrate Creative Mornings RDU winning the 2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts! 🏅 I'm right there with Danny Rosin: "I have this crush on Creative Mornings…" Given this month's theme and Alyssa's inspiration to journal, here are three prompts to get you started: 1️⃣ Reflect on a childhood memory. How does it connect to who you are today? 2️⃣ What patterns in your career best reflect your core values? 3️⃣ And one of my personal favorites for when has something gone astray: What does this now make possible? Braving sharing your reflections ia a fast-track way to connect with others. How are you reflecting collectively? Inside The Hive, we have a celebrations ritual every Friday that serves as our community async happy hour. 🐝 We reflect on the big things, the little things, the failures, the not yet's, and the future things that motivate us to keep going. Members go deep on this post, and I love the sense of connection it creates. We sometimes chime in with just a few words, and other times share stories that twist and turn. I love it. Now it's your turn: How do you reflect in your life? Or, if you're feeling brave, share your response to one of the journaling prompts above. #CreativeMornings #Reflection #Community

Christina Hubbard joined The Hive with clear goals: grow her online community, learn to monetize effectively, and better serve her members. Just a few weeks in, she was amazed at how quickly she was seeing results! From feeling like she was building her community 'blindfolded' to leading with clarity and conviction, Christina's transformation has been so fun to watch. She's found more joy, increased member engagement, and her community is growing. She's even signed up to co-host an event inside The Hive later next month! 🐝 If you want to learn alongside curious, kind-hearted community leaders like Christina, we'd love to have you in The Hive! Don't miss out—doors close TODAY! ✨ Take it from Christina: "You need this. If you manage an online community, do not build it alone. Join The Hive and learn from all the wisdom and camaraderie here!"

🍂 Is your community ready for the season ahead? As we settle into fall, it's the perfect time to reassess your community strategy. Let's break it down. Here are 7 questions to ask now for a bustling community by year's end: 🎉 Events: Which summer events were hits? Which missed the mark? 🚪 Onboarding: Does your process make new members feel welcome and excited from day one? 💬 Engagement: Are members actively participating in discussions and activities? 📢 Content: Is your messaging clear and resonating with your audience? 💰 Pricing: Is your strategy aligned with your Q4 goals? 🛠️ Tech stack: Could any tools streamline your operations for the busy season ahead? 📅 Calendar: What themes will you focus on for the remainder of the year? Successful communities don't happen by accident. They're built with careful planning, thoughtful action, and creative iteration. And, here's my very best piece of advice >>> 🔑 The key to achieving your goals is helping members achieve THEIRS. You don't have to figure this out alone. Join The Hive today to participate in tomorrow's live strategy workshop. We're creating our plans together. What's one area you're focusing on improving this season?

Want a community that feeds your soul AND your wallet? 💖 I normally see one of two things in community building… Either folks are chomping at the bit to launch, thinking it's a fast track to 💰💰💰 OR They're giving away the farm for free, hoping that an open-door policy will lure people into paying for more. In The Hive we see things differently. We believe the best kind of work feeds your soul and pays the bills. Want the "how"? It boils down to these three things: 1️⃣ Treat your community like a business (yes, even if it's a passion project!) 2️⃣ Create clear value for your members and guide them to transformation 3️⃣ Develop systems for smooth operations and easy-to-follow member journeys Community building is often a labor of love, but it doesn't have to be JUST that. Given some time, you'll reap the rewards. Your impact will grow as your members become your fans and advocates. Their voices amplify your own. And as that happens it boosts your entire business. ⏳ If you want to make this happen alongside a group of curious, kindhearted community leaders, the doors to The Hive are open until tomorrow. How are you balancing passion and profit in your community?

🎉 We just hosted our Welcome Party for The Hive, and I couldn't be happier. My big "why" for creating this space is the belief that we are better together. I love doing my small part to help community leaders. And, I'm not quite sure what could be better than seeing new connections, new friendships, and fresh learning start. Real words from members... 💬 "I love the Hive! Wouldn't be anywhere else. This is my lifeline as a solopreneur." 💬 "Get to be surrounded by other community entrepreneurs" 💬 Here to learn learn learn more): 💬 Collective success...brain power...Depth, support, momentum…Diversity...transformation We talked about where we are and where we're headed. Members are working on exciting projects like speaking at national conferences, growing communities to 20k+ members, writing books, and launching courses. But more than that, they're finding a place where they can be vulnerable, seek advice, and celebrate wins together. 🚪 The doors to The Hive are open until Wednesday! If you're a community leader looking for support, resources, and genuine connections, come join us. We'd love to welcome you inside.