What's been your biggest surprise since running a store? For me, it was the tech, the design, and even the ads strategy tailored to making the shopping experience feel like a community for the customers. 1. You learn who your regulars are. 2. You keep them coming back 3. And you build trust day by day If you own a store (or dream of it), I'd love to hear: What's been your most unexpected lesson so far?

I noticed something about communities and stores; they both have an engagement ladder. 1. At first, people just look. 2. Then they start commenting or liking. 3. Eventually, they buy / contribute. The secret is moving them up step by step, not forcing them. Question: How do you move members up your ladder?

Stores have them too. People who visit the page, look around but don't "join" (buy). In both worlds, the key is: 1. Make them feel safe 2. Give them a reason to act 3. Show them others are active Question: What's one trick you use to turn lurkers into contributors? I'll go first in the comments.

If people don't trust you, there won't be engagement or conversions. I found trust comes from: 1. Consistency 2. Stories 3. Results Question: How do you personally build trust in your community?

That flop taught me a golden lesson for communities: 1. Don't build what YOU want, build what THEY want. Now, I always listen first, create second. Question: Have you ever launched something in your community that totally flopped?