A crowd or a community?
Last week I had the pleasure of spending a day here, AT&T Park in San Francisco.
I went with a friend, and we were joined by 40,000 others with a shared a connection — whether that be a love for baseball or simply a desire to be outdoors playing hooky on a workday.
It was a Ferris Bueller-esque sort of day (minus the foul ball…although we came close). Gorgeous weather. Indulgent eating. The relaxed banter of conversation with a good friend. And, oh yeah, the Giants pulled out a dramatic victory in extra innings.
As the winning run crossed home plate, we were a large, loud, euphoric crowd. But we were not a community.
What distinguishes one from the other? Plenty of theories abound (here are three). But the most significant difference imho is this:
A crowd absorbs an experience. A community actively shapes it.
Whatever business you’re in, you can attract a crowd or you can create a community. There’s value in both.
Just be sure you know which you’re after.
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