Build it and they will not come.
You need a community that loves you hard. We know what it is like to spend an obscene amount of effort, time, and money (out of your own pocket) to birth your passion baby into the world only to have it completely flop...crickets and all. Why? We hadn't yet discovered the power of community. Imagine having an army of raving fans hanging on your every word, completely loving everything you do, and buying everything you had to offer. They love you so much, in fact, they can't help but tell everyone about you and what you have to offer. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Having an ultra-engaged community is like having your own little army of raving fans at the ready. That means direct access to your customer base. But how do you cultivate an ultra-engaged community? It's simple. Hosting a community is a lot like hosting a party.