The Dark Side of Building Superfans
We’ve come a long way in our journey together, and you’ve learned a lot. You’ve discovered how you can grab the attention of casual audience members finding you for the first time and start cultivating them into active members of your tribe who will keep coming back for more. You’ve unlocked the ability to nurture these people into a connected community and build experiences that will get them more involved and invested. Finally, you’ve uncovered how to create those extra-special moments that turn connected community members into raving superfans who will stick by your side through thick and thin.
In the words of Uncle Ben Parker from the Spider-Man series, “With great power comes great responsibility.” With these superfans comes great power—power that must be balanced.
As you build your brand and create those special moments that will mold people into superfans, you’re also going to encounter some dangerous traps that threaten to strip away some or all of the fruits of the hard work you’re putting in. That’s why we need to spend some time talking about the biggest pitfalls you need to look out for if you want to keep your fans at the top of the pyramid, cheering you on forever.
Whether or not you already have a devoted group of überfans, these final two chapters are crucial reading. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Chapter 18: The 6 Hidden Traps of Building Superfans—and How to Avoid Them
- Chapter 19: Avoiding Unwanted Recognition and Staying Safe