Here’s a really important point about building community. 

C o m m u n i c a t e .

JPG Magazine is a prime example of how to do things right. 

The magazine takes photo submissions based on themes. Readers of the online version, along with JPG judges, rank the submissions.  If yours is selected, it is included in a hard-copy version of the magazine, and they pay $100.00 USD.   Sweet, ’cause it’s about the fame, not the fortune…

Today, I got my rejection letter from JPG Magazine, and I couldn’t be happier. 

I would have preferred to be selected, but the fact that they sent me a note, explained how popular the submission for this edition were, and how I shouldn’t be discouraged, totally makes my day.

It’s at the heart of what interaction is supposed to be; a series of events that cascade into a relationship.   I’m not pissed that they didn’t pick my photo, not because they’re so darned nice about it, but because they have taken the time to communicate with me, give me context, and invite me to keep at it. 

Simple relationship building.  Think about how you or your company interacts with every person who starts on that series of events that could turn into a cascade and build into a relationship. 

If over 4-thousand people entered your contest (or photo upload or whatever) would you communicate one-on-one with them ?  If you don’t, you’re missing a vital piece of the community/releationship puzzle.

Oh, and by the way, my loser photos are here:

“Vancouver Public Library” (Tourist theme) http://jpgmag.com/photos/14059
“How I Learned To Drive” (Intimate theme) http://jpgmag.com/photos/14091