#PartyTown

Heya!

Thanks for reading this short summary of PartyTown, a small, private community (on Slack) for established and growing bootstrappers, creators, entrepreneurs, and specialists running internet businesses.
 
(Think of it like a communal watercooler for people running and growing small, bootstrapped businesses.)


Before you’re dropped (cold) into the group, I want to answer any questions that you have and, most importantly, make sure that this community sounds like a place you’d enjoy spending time.

Once you’ve had a chance to read through this page, go ahead and grab a time for us to chat and I’ll answer any questions that you have.

Purpose: A small, consensus-based document outlining norms, expectations, and focus for our humble little group. With love and thanks for @sfioritto for the inspiring document.

What is #PartyTown?

PartyTown is a community of open, friendly Creative Internet Business Folk. We’ve come together to hang out, socialize, and learn with each other.

We gather ’round to talk about the latest books and articles we’ve been reading, the projects we’re working on, or our latest fun adventure — or to grab a few friends to ask for feedback on an idea or project.

This is an exciting, loving, and supportive place to be. And above everything else, we want to keep it that way.

Think of these as guiding principles for each of us to strive and follow – and a living document that will evolve as this group evolves.

We were founded on March 16th, 2015. We’re proud to be one the longest-running Slack communities.

Running a small, independent business
can be an isolating experience

For most of us, our family and friends don’t understand what we do. Who do you talk to when you hit a sticking point if you don’t have coworkers?

We often act as each other’s coworkers. We are here to help each other navigate those moments of incredible insecurity and indecision that are part of the job. Remember, we’re here to help each other.

This job comes with very strong emotions. It’s okay, we know. Feel free to share. If you’re ever worried about sharing too much, take advantage of slack’s features to only share with a select group of people.

Ask for feedback on anything.

  • Personal and professional challenges
  • Landing pages
  • Blog posts
  • Product ideas
  • Whatever!

Be prepared to hear a wide variety of thoughts and ideas. And don’t hesitate to offer your thoughts on the work of others in return.

Onboarding you to #PartyTown

First, you and I will get on a call together so you can learn more about our group — our shared goals, our visions, our members — and we can learn more about you:

  • What would you like to get fromPartyTown?
  • What kind of things have you enjoyed about other groups?
  • How specifically can we help you move your business forward?

Then, I’ll send you an invitation to the Slack.

You’ll be able to see how we interact, meet the other members of the group, and start to understand if we’re a good fit for your needs.

Over the first month, we’ll check in to see how you’re feeling.

If you’re feeling the group is a match for what you’re seeking and we feel that we’re able to help you grow, wonderful!

We’re so happy to have you.

If not, that’s fine too.

We want you to enjoy being a member of this group, not feel as if its an obligation.

After that, it’s off to the races!

You’ll have full access to our little community for help and support, questions and answers, and anything else under the sun.

Getting to know each other

The Internet is a small community.

We may know more about you than you know about us — so please don’t be alarmed if we’re all eager to chat and ask you questions about your business.

And please feel free to go at your own pace in terms of revealing yourself and your business to us.

We are all business owners, but at different phases.

Some of us are working on launching our first products, others have established followings or are clearing 7 figures in revenue.

But we’re all bootstrappers or business owners.

We’re a mixture of different business types:

    Some of us exclusively sell productized services
    Most of us sell a mix of conventional and productized consulting services
    Many of us are working traditional information products (books, courses) into our revenue mix

Everyone in this group brings a unique perspective to the table.

And each of us have marketable skills that others in the group don’t have.

In here, we are equals.

Your insight, expertise, and contribution is always appreciated.

It's not about the money, but it's about the money.

For many of us, it’s about building something that represents how we want to run our business.

If we get rich, we won’t complain, but it’s not a mad dash for riches.

At the core of our work is a desire for freedom and to challenge ourselves.

Ultimately we all want to help others and contribute to our society in a positive way.

This is about money AND personal improvement AND creating a life worth living.

Be friendly and professional
(or else)

Always be professional and try to stay on-topic, so the community remains a place that is inviting, inclusive, and comfortable for everyone.

F-bombs are fine, but personal attacks aren’t okay.

One of the ways we support each other in growing is by subjecting each other’s ideas and business practices to close scrutiny.

The less personally you’re able to take the feedback that members of this group share with you, the more you’ll get out of the group.

Sometimes, conversations may get heated.

Above all, try to work it out.

We strive to look at the big picture — growing together — and work through the small bumps that come from working with others in order to preserve that value for all of us.

It’s up to you to be civil.

This almost never comes up, but if it does here are the rules we follow:

  • If someone tells you that something you are doing makes them uncomfortable, just stop. Don’t argue with them.
  • If someone is doing something that could make other people uncomfortable, help them out and tell them.
  • Finally, assume that people are basically good and doing their best. If they’re making someone uncomfortable they are not doing it on purpose or out of malice

We try and use the ‘Ouch / Oops’ rules in conversations. Sometimes someone may unintentionally say something that hurts, bothers, or offends you — without the offending party intending for it to.

In those cases, it’s encouraged to say ‘Ouch! When I (read/heard) that, I felt hurt because…’. Likewise, the unintentionally offending party is able to say ‘Oops, I’m sorry — I didn’t realize that. Let me apologize…’

Stacking Conversations

Occasionally two (or more!) conversations will happen at the same time. In those cases, you’re encouraged to do whatever feels right:

  • Thread the conversations
  • Pause one of the conversations until the other concludes
  • Take one of the conversations to DM

Above all, we want you to feel encouraged and excited to chat in PartyTown.

The PartyTown FrieNDA

Some of us share business numbers and other information which should never be disclosed outside of the group. Assume that anything we talk about in Slack should stay in Slack.

We don't have mods, but we do have individuals providing support

Regularly, members of the group will step forward to provide accountability and support for a particular project, activity, or for the group as a whole. These people aren’t moderators. They’re individuals who are empowered to help support the growth of the group.

The Dinner Party Rule

We’re all here to hang out, socialize, and make friends. We talk a mixture of business, personal, and #internet.

‘Oops’ moments may happen. People are encouraged to say when they’re uncomfortable. Others are encouraged to take that gracefully.

As long as everyone comes to the party with a positive, open, friendly mind, we all win.

"This sounds awesome! I'd love to join. What's the next step?"

Go ahead and grab a time for us to chat. You and I (Kai Davis) will have a short chat, talk about PartyTown and what you’d like to contribute to it, and answer any of your questions.

Thanks so much! Looking forward to talking soon.

♥,

Kai