From Poll to Practice | Your Community Superpower, Unlocked

What kind of community builder are you? After nearly 20 years of hosting everything from intimate design meetups to massive virtual events, I’ve cracked the code on community building. Spoiler alert: there’s no single “right” way, and that's exactly what makes it work.

Rachel Elnar
June 26, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

You know that moment when you realize you’ve been doing something for so long that it just feels... natural? That’s me when I’m community building. After nearly two decades of hosting everything from intimate TypeEd critiques for six students to massive Adobe events, I’ve learned something crucial: there’s no single right way to build belonging.

Whether you’re the type who throws spontaneous Zoom parties, drops wisdom bombs in group chats, or quietly connects everyone behind the scenes, you’re building community in your brilliant way. And honestly, the world needs your particular flavor of magic.

So, which one are you? I am curious about which one you picked? Here’s what the full poll looked like:

The Host: When Your Living Room Becomes Everyone’s Living Room

Let me start with what I know best. I’ve been a virtual host since 2016, and let me tell you—hosting has evolved from “please everyone mute yourselves” to “please everyone unmute and tell us your favorite snack.”

My hosting journey: From in-person AIGA meetups where I worried about having enough cups for wine, to virtual Typography Dojo sessions where I learned to read digital body language through chat emojis. The pandemic turned us all into accidental broadcast producers, but what I discovered is that great hosting isn’t about perfect lighting or expensive microphones—it’s about making people forget they’re staring at a screen.

If you’re a natural host, try this:

Create rituals that people look forward to (I always start with a countdown timer and ambient music—it’s like putting on your party pants for your brain)
Master the art of translating jargon into “mere mortal” speak (your audience’s silent gratitude is worth it)
Have backup plans for your backup plans (shoutout to my Digital Events team for teaching me this wisdom)

Watch for this: Don’t carry it all alone. The best events happen when you turn attendees into co-conspirators, not passive observers.

The Resource Sharer: Your Curated Recommendations Rock

I’d been that person dropping the perfect typography resource at 2 AM in Facebook groups since before we called it “community management.” Whether it’s a killer font pairing or an InDesign template that’ll save someone three hours, there’s something magical about being the person who always has the thing.

If this is your superpower:

Build a “greatest hits” collection that you can share monthly
Host “tools of the trade” sessions (trust me, people love these)
Use your platform to spotlight community wins, not just your expertise

The trap to avoid: Don’t be just a content library with legs. People follow your taste AND your voice. Show up personally, too.

The Vibe Builder: You Don’t Just Build Communities, You Design Experiences

From the carefully chosen color palette of your slides to the playlist that sets the mood, you make people feel something. I learned this hosting “Los Angeles is Just My Type” community events, where the typography wasn’t just the topic, it was everywhere in the experience.

Channel this energy:

Create signature visuals others can use (branded templates are community gold)
Build thematic experiences that carry your aesthetic DNA
Design challenges that feel distinctly you

Reality check: The experience draws people in, but engagement keeps them. Beauty is great, but interactive is better.

The Bridge: The Invisible Superglue of Community

This might be the most underrated community role, but I see you. You’re the one making introductions, noticing who’s quiet in the corner, creating those invisible threads that turn strangers into collaborators (and value for everyone around you). I’ve played this role in every community I’ve been part of, often without realizing it.

Maximize your impact:

Start matchmaking threads (seriously, people love this on LinkedIn)
Follow up privately with new or quiet members, they’ll remember
Teach others how to welcome and connect, and it multiplies your magic

The Plot Twist: You’re Probably All Four

What nearly 20 years of community building has taught me is that the best community builders aren’t just one thing. I started as a pure host, evolved into a resource sharer, accidentally became a vibe builder (design events kind of demand it), and discovered I’m naturally a bridge when I realized how many career connections started at my events.

You don’t have to pick a lane. You get to be multifaceted. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Your Next Move: Build Systems That Amplify Your Style

The difference between burning out and scaling up? Systems. Whether you’re hosting virtual events without boring everyone to death (been there, and built a career on it), or you’re the quiet connector who makes magic happen behind the scenes, you need frameworks that work with your natural strengths, not against them.

There’s no perfect way to build community, only your way. And honestly? That’s exactly what the world needs more of.

You made it to the end! Here’s the next poll! Who is on your event dream team? Choose one that fits you.👇

Can’t wait to see your vote!

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