How To Find Your Creative Tribe

How often do you feel you’re connecting with others who really “get” what you’re about and what you’re trying to achieve with your artwork and creative projects?

For most of us, if this happens more than a few times a year, we feel fortunate. Spending so much time without these kinds of connections and support from other creative artists can seriously take its toll on your creativity though. Feeling you’re creating in a vacuum – wondering if anyone even knows you create, let alone cares what you’re creating – can be incredibly de-motivating.

Here then are the key steps to finding your “Creative Tribe” – a community of people who understand, support and celebrate your creativity just the way it is:

1. Search online for creative communities. These days it’s easier than ever to find like-minded creative artists online. But the diversity and sheer number of creative communities and groups can be overwhelming. Start by going to a major search engine and typing in phrases such as “writer’s group” and “creative community”. Commit a few hours at least to exploring what’s out there and note down a handful of sites that catch your interest.
2. Spend some time just “lurking”. For each of the sites you’ve chosen, spend time lurking and seeing what the content is like, and how the overall tone of conversation feels to you. You’ll know early on whether a community feels right for you, and whether you relate to the kind of things people are discussing. Note too some of the key features of the site – as a member, what can you do, and how easy is it to use?
3. Ask individuals what they get from the community. If people enjoy and gain benefit from the creative community they’re a part of, they’ll be more than happy to let you know. For most sites you’ll have to become a member to contact others, but it’s worth doing. Simply say you’re looking for a creative community and liked the look of this one. Ask them what they would say are the main benefits, and how the community helps them be more creative.
4. Spend time familiarizing yourself. Once you’ve found a site or few sites that you’re comfortable with, get involved. Explore the different areas of the community. Investigate some of the key members and what they do, and their artwork. Be friendly, curious and open to learning new features and ways of connecting with others. Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know how to use a feature. In the best communities, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.
5. Give at least as much as you get. Commit a certain time each day or each week to contributing to your new creative communities. Don’t visit only when you need something. Be encouraging to others, leave supportive comments and feedback on the work of other people. The more you give to the community, the more rewarding you’ll find it, and the more positive an impact it will have all-round on your creativity.