Confessions of a Burnt Out Community Cheerleader
I kept this draft on ice for too long because it felt so heavy. Constant encouragement from a community member gave me the push(es) I needed to thaw my feelings and warm up to gratitude.
Reflecting on my short stint as a community manager for two crafting brands early this year (2024) brings a rush of memories, both challenging and rewarding.
It’s the project that pushed me to register as autonoma or self-employed, taking on new responsibilities like paying a fixed monthly fee regardless of my revenue. (Yikes! 😬 Now that I’m freelancing as a content writer and project manager, if you know anyone in need of website rewrites, white papers, blogs, or even help organizing their projects and team tasks, I’d be grateful for a connection or recommendation!)
What I hoped would be long-term employment led me to my first therapy session. (Thaaat’s a story for a one-on-one call.🫣) Despite the hurdles, I’m deeply grateful for the experience as it introduced me to some of the kindest people I will ever e-meet.💕
The Manifesto of a Community Cheerleader
My mission was clear from the start:
Build genuine, long-lasting connections within the online community.
Shine the spotlight on the members themselves and their stories.
So I introduced myself to the Facebook communities as their official cheerleader! I don’t know how to quilt or knit or crochet, and my hands seem to be allergic to crafting. But I do know how to spot the best stories, create uplifting content, and genuinely cheer people on.💃🏻
👇 Here’s a glimpse of the manifesto I wrote for the brand and my role. ♥️
Threads of Inspiration
Boy, did I find inspiring and heartwarming stories! For many community members, crafting was more than a hobby—it was therapy. Many used quilting, knitting, and crochet to help them through personal struggles like anxiety, recovery after surgery, and other severe medical conditions.
Some even transformed their passion into compassion, donating their creations to those in need: hats for cancer patients who’ve lost their hair, massive quilts for veterans (Have you heard of Quilts of Valor?), stuffed animals for families who have lost a loved one, and countless other handmade treasures became symbols of care and support.
To this day, these stories give me hope for humanity. Not to mention, they were a rich source of content—the kind of content I believe in: true, authentic, and unifying. As opposed to? Made-up, scripted, and divisive.
Sharing these stories felt like spreading a little more light in the world. The community started to feel like a cozy respite. It was fertile ground for my vision to come alive!
Patching Together a Supportive Community
To cultivate authentic relationships within the community, we launched weekly live events where members could connect, share their expertise, and support one another through the craft they loved.
While searching for an external expert to lead live tutorials, I started recording and sharing internal interviews with the most active members of the Facebook groups. These passionate women were not just customers; they were champions of the community who would support one another stitch by stitch.
I count myself lucky to have witnessed their crafting journey and their blooming friendships. My most treasured souvenir is getting to know these sweet souls.
I haven't asked their permission to share names so I’m using initials.💕
KBA: Consistent Sweetheart & Quilting Prodigy
She had just started quilting but was already incredibly skilled. KBA was a super motivator, always commenting on everyone's projects and making people feel great about their work. KBA even encouraged DRC to make tutorial videos and revive her quilting community. Plus, she still regularly checks up on me. Her consistent kindness is the reason I’m writing this article.🙏🏻
DRC: The Shy Superstar
An expert quilter with a wealth of tips, DRC was always in the comments section, ready to help. She was initially shy about making videos, but with a nudge from KBA, she became a superstar! Her compassion for fellow quilters, especially newbies, shone through when she made a step-by-step tutorial video to correct instructions for a spring project.
T&H: Crafting Besties
Enthusiastic and ambitious community leaders who believed in the power of community, T&H were fun and full of life. They supported each other through their crochet projects and improved quickly thanks to their mutual encouragement. Their dream was to extend this support to more community members. I’d like to think they’re still at it!
TC: Go-To Knitting Guru
Though not part of our online communities, TC caught my eye with her YouTube tutorial videos. Her passion project is teaching newbie knitters and patiently guiding them through their first projects. Her kind heart and love for teaching just shines through!
JDW: Stellar Teacher with a Heart of Gold
I will never forget my video interview with this community member—the first one for this project! JDW is a talented quilter and former teacher who was eager to contribute to the community. We talked about her love for quilting, her favorite projects, and the Dresden Plate. She even took time to write clear step-by-step instructions and shared this with the community.
She loved quilting and teaching so much that she volunteered to do live video sessions where she could answer specific questions about projects. She had so many tips and tricks up her sleeve!
A Timely Departure
Just before JDW’s first live tutorial, the company and I parted ways. It was a tough moment, especially when JDW decided to cancel her live event and leave the group.
“Without you, things aren’t the same. I just couldn’t participate any more… I feel it is the right thing to do. I’m so glad we became friends so we can stay in touch. You are a treasure.” - JDW
It weighed heavy on me knowing I couldn't support her or the community as planned. But it was time.
While my mission was to build genuine, long-lasting connections and highlight the true stars of the community, it became clear that my vision didn’t align with the company’s priorities. The emphasis was on sales and immediate results, while my commitment was to fostering loyalty and quality over time.
I could feel the disconnect in my gut. Despite my best efforts to communicate my concerns, we couldn’t seem to move towards alignment. There wasn’t a fit and it became clear that moving on was the best choice.
If I had one regret from the experience, it’s not seeing JDW’s live sessions come to fruition. I hope she finds another community where she can share her incredible talents and make a difference! I’m hoping she can do this in DRC’s quilting group.
My Continued Obsession with Connection
This role wasn’t just a job; it was a chance to put my theories on human connection into practice—insights I’ve gathered from remarkable psychologists and scientists. These theories became lived experiences.
Compliments are powerful. Giving genuine, specific praise energized me and brightened the day of those I cheered on.
Real connections go beyond screens. Many members eagerly joined video calls and were happy to listen to voice messages from a stranger (Me!), proving how much we crave human touch.
Most people are kind and happy to help. When DRC noticed issues with a product’s instructions, she created a tutorial and shared it, going above and beyond to help her fellow quilters.
These are just a few of the lessons and the strong connections forged in my two months as a community cheerleader. Despite pushing me to the brink of burnout, I move forward with hope that the world remains filled with extraordinary individuals who make a small but meaningful difference.
