Sharing Is Support
Sharing Is Support
Sometimes a like, a share, a subscription, a purchase—or simply paying attention—is enough to let someone know you see what they’re building.
If you know someone who is building something—or has built something—and you notice it, let them know.
Seriously.
Their product or service might not be something you need right now. It might not even be something you ever need.
That doesn't mean you can't support it.
Bookmark it mentally.
Bookmark it physically.
Tell somebody about it.
Share it on social media.
Text it to someone.
Send it in an email.
Liking is free.
Commenting is free.
Sharing is free.
If it's a podcast, YouTube channel, or email newsletter, subscribing is free too.
And yes, those analytics matter.
You don't have to watch every YouTube video.
You don't have to listen to every podcast episode.
You don't have to read every newsletter.
Sometimes just opening the email helps.
Watching an occasional video helps.
Following someone helps.
Subscribing helps.
And if it's a reasonably priced product that you can actually use, buy it at some point.
That's support too.
I've done this myself.
I've bought that T-shirt, that hat, or whatever somebody was selling. Maybe I wore it once or twice and eventually moved on.
Still support.
I've bought the book. Maybe I read it. Maybe I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Still support.
I've bought things from people I know simply because I wanted to support what they were building. Maybe I needed the product. Maybe I didn't necessarily need it right then.
But I wanted to put my money behind someone I knew who was actually doing something.
This isn't me saying you have to do any of this.
I'm not trying to shame anybody.
This is a reminder.
For you—and honestly, for me too.
Because if you want people to support what you're building, you have to remember that support works both ways.
You have to share to get shared.
Like to get liked.
Subscribe to get subscribed.
Comment to get comments.
Not every single time.
Not as some transactional exchange.
But as part of being a person who participates in a community instead of just consuming what everybody else creates.
I think unless you're on the other side of it, you don't always understand this.
When you're the person building the website, recording the podcast, making the videos, writing the newsletter, creating the product, running the business—or just putting your work out into the world—you notice those little things.
You notice the subscriber.
You notice the new follower.
You notice the person who shared something.
You notice the person who took the time to leave a thoughtful comment.
You notice the person who opened the newsletter.
You notice the person who bought something.
You notice the person who showed up.
It tells you somebody is paying attention.
And there’s another part of this that I think we sometimes forget.
Sometimes we sit on the sidelines and say:
“That will never work.”
“What a waste of time.”
“Why would anybody do that?”
“I wouldn't do it that way.”
Maybe it's because it's something you wouldn't do.
Maybe it's something you wanted to do yourself but never put into motion.
Maybe you simply don't understand what they're trying to build yet.
Whatever the reason, don't be the person who shows up at the end and says:
“I knew you could do it.”
But you weren't instrumental in the process.
You weren't sharing it.
You weren't encouraging them.
You weren't giving them feedback.
You weren't buying anything.
You weren't telling anybody about it.
You were just watching from the sidelines waiting to see what happened.
And then, once it works, suddenly you were always rooting for them.
Come on.
If you genuinely think somebody may want to change something, it's okay to pull them aside and tell them.
Call them.
Send a text.
Send an email.
Have a conversation.
Say:
“Hey, I was thinking about this. You may want to consider doing it this way.”
That's different from sitting on the sidelines criticizing somebody while they're trying to figure things out.
And here's the other thing:
Most people who are building something aren't trying to completely copy and paste what somebody else is doing.
They're trying to be different.
They're trying to find their own way.
They're taking what they've seen, what they've experienced, and what they've learned—and turning it into something that makes sense to them.
Sometimes that works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
Sometimes they have to change direction.
Sometimes they have to completely start over.
That's part of building something.
And let's be honest.
We're all guilty of sitting on the sidelines at some point.
Even me.
I've looked at something somebody was doing and thought, “I don't know about that.”
I've questioned whether something would work.
I've had opinions about how somebody should do something.
The difference is learning when to keep that thought to yourself, when to offer constructive feedback, and when to simply say:
“That's not for me, but I hope it works for you.”
So when you run into that old coworker, classmate, friend, or family member who is building something, pay attention.
Subscribe.
Follow them.
Visit their website.
Open the newsletter.
Watch a video every now and then.
Listen to the podcast when you can.
Buy something if you can actually use it.
And sometimes, give them feedback.
That's part of supporting somebody too.
If you notice a typo, a broken link, or something on their website that isn't working, let them know.
If you visit their restaurant or food truck and notice something that could be better, there's a difference between simply trashing the business online and respectfully letting the owner or staff know what happened.
I've done this myself with people I know who own restaurants and other small local businesses.
Sometimes I've visited their business, bought something, supported them financially, and given them feedback when I thought it could actually help.
If you buy a piece of clothing from a small business and the sizing information is confusing, the checkout doesn't work right, or you notice something about the product description that could be clearer, tell them.
If you see a podcast episode with a bad link, a YouTube video with incorrect information, or an email newsletter with something that doesn't quite work, say something.
Not because you're trying to tear them down.
Because you noticed.
And there's a big difference between useful feedback and unnecessary criticism.
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is simply say:
“Hey, I noticed this. I thought you'd want to know.”
That's support too.
And if their product or service isn't for you?
That's okay.
You don't have to pretend it is.
You can still recognize that somebody is building something valuable.
You can still tell someone else about it.
You can still say:
“Hey, I know somebody who does that.”
Because you can't always see the need for something until you're the person who needs it.
I ran into an old classmate a few months ago, and we had a really good, long conversation.
I let him know that I see what he and his wife are doing.
I told him I'm proud of them, that I'm paying attention, and that I'm showing my support where I can.
Their particular service isn't something I need right now.
But I can definitely see the need for it.
So for now, I'm subscribed to their YouTube channel and podcast. I follow along and show my support that way.
Maybe someday I'll need their service.
Maybe I won't.
Either way, I can still support people I know who are building something.
Because sharing is caring.
But more importantly:
Sharing is support.
Sometimes it's a like.
Sometimes it's a share.
Sometimes it's a comment.
Sometimes it's a subscription.
Sometimes it's buying the T-shirt you'll only wear twice.
Sometimes it's buying the book you might not get around to reading.
Sometimes it's showing up at the restaurant or food truck.
Sometimes it's sending somebody a customer they didn't know they were going to get.
Sometimes it's giving them a little feedback that helps them fix something before it becomes a bigger problem.
And sometimes it's simply saying:
“I see what you're doing.”
Because sometimes the smallest thing you do is the thing that lets somebody know:
“I see you. Keep going.”
Thanks for reading The Deep Dive!
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