The difference between audience and community

The terms “audience” and “community” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. Understanding the differences between them can help you better connect with the people you’re trying to reach.

An audience is a group of people who are passively observing something. For example, an audience at a cinema performance would be people who are simply watching the show. They are not actively participating, but rather just consuming the content. For online communities the example of an audience would be sending a newsletter. (Substack has turned this on its head though as it allows for discussion of a newsletter - very interesting!). This is broadcast only and there is no interaction with the sender or other recipients.

A community, on the other hand, is made up of people who are actively engaged in the discussion or activity around a shared purpose or interest. A community can exist online or in person, but the underlying goal is for members to interact and collaborate on common topics of interest.

So, why does this distinction matter? It’s important to recognize the differences between audiences and communities because they require different approaches when engaging with them. When dealing with an audience, the focus is on content consumption. You want to provide them with engaging, entertaining, and informative content that is tailored to their interests. You want to be a provider of valuable content, not a facilitator of discussion.

When dealing with a community, the focus is on building relationships. You want to foster an environment where people can engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and provide feedback. You want to be a facilitator of discussion, not just a provider of content. The important nuance here is that communities are a group of people actively connecting with each other and you as the facilitator.